Dear Colleagues,

I share with you sad news from Associate Dean Kristene Surerus in the College of Letters and Science.

Prof. Karen Brucks, Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, passed away on July 8th.  Prof. Brucks served UWM for 24 years as a dedicated instructor and researcher.  She had a distinguished service record, serving as department chair of Mathematical Sciences for four years, seven years as Associate Dean of Natural Sciences in the College of Letters and Science and three years managing space for campus.

Her colleagues remember Dr. Brucks as a decent, kind, fair-minded individual who handled challenging circumstances with equanimity and grace. Our condolences to Dr. Bruck’s family and to the many others whose lives she touched.

There will be no formal service but information about a gathering in remembrance of Prof. Brucks will be forthcoming.

Memorial gifts in honor of Prof. Brucks may be made to the Natural Sciences Minority Academic Achievement Fund or the Ethel Sloane Memorial Fund. Both funds award scholarships to high-achieving science majors in the College of Letters & Science, with the former going to students from historically underrepresented groups and the latter going to women. Please make checks payable to the UWM Foundation, Inc. with a memo line indicating which fund you would like to direct your gift towards. Checks may be sent to Christina McCaffery in the Development Office.

Karen’s passing is a huge loss, particularly for those of us who worked so closely with her.

Take care,

Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Date: July 12, 2017