It is most unfortunate that this commentary did not appear in The Capital Times sooner. I submitted it to the paper via e-mail on Friday, May 13, the day after Jacob Stockinger’s article appeared on the renaming of the Elvehjem Museum, thinking it important that the public have all the facts. Evidently, the dog ate it. I guess these things happen, and I do accept Dave Zweifel’s e-mail apology.
There is no question that Conrad A. Elvehjem was a great biochemist, a respected member of the UW faculty, an outstanding administrator, and, together with his wife Connie, well loved in the Madison community.
And thus it is very appropriate that a building on campus be dedicated in his honor the same way as many buildings are named for distinguished faculty members, deans and administrators. However, there is no particular reason for an art museum to be named for him.