Dear Faculty and Staff,

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones well. Health is high on the minds of everyone these days and I believe leadership requires transparency about the challenges we face. For this reason, I write to share I was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. It is difficult to talk about myself, but I want to face it head-on and share it with you. With the support of an excellent care team, I will begin treatment within the next week.  My outlook is quite positive.

I will remain fully engaged during my treatment and assure you that UWM will continue to move forward strategically and in alignment with our mission and guiding values. The Provost, executive cabinet, deans, and leadership of our governance groups will continue to work together as we help our students succeed and address the opportunities and challenges UWM is confronting.

On a personal level, I am extremely confident for the future for several reasons: This illness was caught early, I am in otherwise good health, our leadership—at all levels—is strong, and I have tremendous colleagues and faith.

As always, I’ll keep you informed of further developments. I look forward to having this challenge in my rearview mirror, like many other aspects of 2020. Thank you in advance for your commitment to UWM, care and support for our students and each other.

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

P.S. No flowers, please. You all already do so much. But, if you are so inclined with offers of support already coming my way, I ask for your continued work toward and support of our common goals—care for students and each other, and aligned efforts toward student success, research impact, and engagement with the community.