Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

This has been a school year like no other for many different reasons. At times, our lives were tumultuous and at other moments we were bursting with pride at the collective achievements and discoveries of our scholars, staff and students.

We were thrilled to learn in February that the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education – the gold standard for assessment – designated UWM as one of only 115 (out of 4,665) “Research 1” universities in the nation. We achieved this pinnacle because of our long-standing commitment to become a top-tier research university and the steadfast contributions of dedicated scholars, staff and students over the past 50 years. Our research mission is more important than ever and it is critical that we continue to strengthen UWM’s profile and work collaboratively to garner support for our future.

Our students remind us of the potential our future holds. This Sunday more than 3,000 graduating students are eligible to walk across the stage at the UWM Panther Arena for our 114th Commencement. This is one of the most fulfilling highlights of the year for all of us. Congratulations to all of our 2016 graduates!

There were incredible moments of advancement in this last month alone with:

• A $3 million investment in advising from UW System to specifically address retention and graduation rates.
• The launch of the Institute for Child and Family Well-Being, a multifaceted partnership between our Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
• The commitment from 25 donors totaling $8.5 million in gifts to UWM. These gifts and more have really moved the needle on our Made in Milwaukee – Shaping the World campaign.

As the spring semester comes to a close, I hope you will join me and your fellow Panthers for Bike to Campus Day on Friday, May 20. Groups will gather just before 7:30 a.m. at Martinizing Dry Cleaners, 285 E. Hampton Ave., and at the McKinley Marina parking lot, 1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. Both groups will ride the Oak Leaf Trail to campus, convening on Spaights Plaza at approximately 8:00 am. Even if you are unable to join the ride, please stop by the plaza for a brief program and light refreshments from 8 – 9:30 a.m. This is a nice opportunity to get together one more time.

I am deeply grateful to have shared this year with you. I especially thank those colleagues who are retiring for all of their important contributions. Everything we do as faculty, staff, students and alumni has a positive ripple effect on thousands of lives. The impact of our work is vital and what we have accomplished this year is remarkable.

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee