Republican lawmakers are threatening to remove members of the UW Board of Regents after the Board asserted its own authority to fire the Universities of Wisconsin president.
The Regents unanimously voted without discussion Tuesday to fire President Jay Rothman, who has led the about 165,000-student and 13-university system since 2022.
Kristin Eschenfelder, a professor and associate dean, will serve as the interim dean of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s largest academic unit, the College of Letters & Science.
The appointment is effective on May 17, concurrent with the beginning of Dean Eric M. Wilcots’s term as interim chancellor.
Eschenfelder, who has been on campus since she joined the Information School faculty in 2000, has served as the L&S academic associate dean and associate director for the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences since it launched in 2019.
Fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman told The Associated Press on Wednesday in his first interview since the ouster that he was “blindsided” by the move but has no hard feelings and is unlikely to sue.
Rothman was fired on Tuesday night in a unanimous vote by the board of regents following a roughly 30-minute closed-door discussion. Regents have not given a reason for firing Rothman, who was in the job for just under four years.
One of the best-selling authors in the world will be giving the keynote commencement speech at UW-Madison this spring.
James Patterson was announced as the spring speaker by UW-Madison in a press release on Wednesday.
“James Patterson has shown what it means to make the most of your education — and what it means to give back. We are thrilled to welcome him as this year’s commencement speaker,” UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said. “His successes as a writer are unparalleled, and so is the generosity of his time, talent and resources, which have made lasting impacts on higher education and the lives of countless students.”
Governor Tony Evers signed a bill Wednesday that gave the University of Wisconsin athletic department financial cushion in the form of tax dollars to service debt, and codified the university’s rules surrounding name, image, and likeness payments to athletes into law.
Clean Lakes Alliance hosted an event today to explain seasonal changes happening to Madison’s lakes.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher is encouraging people to visit local lakes in May to witness an annual phenomenon that makes the water crystal clear.
Hillary Dugan, an associate professor at the Center for Limnology at UW-Madison, explained the science behind the seasonal clarity. In spring, a large bloom of diatoms, a species of phytoplankton, provides food for zooplankton, tiny organisms that then boom in population.
Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges spoke with University of Wisconsin’s assistant professor Aireale Rodgers at the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s final event of the Distinguished Lecture Series April 8, discussing equality, education and community.
The event, held in Shannon Hall, sold out, and the room was packed with students, faculty and community members.
Former Lt. Gov. and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes joined approximately 40 students at a University of Wisconsin College Democrats meeting Wednesday to discuss his affordability-centered campaign.
Barnes will face eight other candidates in the Democratic primary for governor Aug. 11, according to Ballotopedia.
Susan Zahner, who has served in the role of interim dean of the School of Nursing since the beginning of December, will continue in her role for the foreseeable future.
Zahner, former associate dean for faculty affairs and Vilas Distinguished Achievement professor, has served in the role since Nov. 30, 2025, upon the passing of Dean Emerit Linda Scott. Zahner brings 24 years of faculty and leadership experience to the role.
