Chancellor Martin Leaves UW-Madison for Amherst

Intended OR unintended


Madison, WI - University of WI-Madison, Chancellor Carolyn A. (Biddy) Martin resigns on June 14, 2011 and takes the position of Amherst President for August. 2011.

Jide J. Zeillin, Amherst Board of Trustee Chairman, announced:
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is my privilege to announce the election of Carolyn A. Martin as the nineteenth president of Amherst College, effective this August. Martin is the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and prior to that was the provost of Cornell University. The attached press release and newly established pages on the Amherst website provide a fuller introduction to Chancellor Martin."

Amherst was founded in 1821.
According to a statement in the July 15, 2011 JSOnline article (Martin wasn't forced out, Reilly says), Terry Hartle, Senior VP - Division of Government & Public Affairs, American Council on Education, Washington, DC, "She's going to an institution that is financially very stable," Hartle said.

It has become one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, enrolling some 1,700 talented, energetic and diverse young men and women.

Martin Abrupt Resignation
According to the information shared in the Journal Sentinel, Chancellor Martin made this decision to leave on this past Saturday - She had not been seeking greener pastures. There is also the assertion that she "was not pushed out". As well as Dr. Martin saying: "I leave here, of course, with great sadness. I had thought I might spend the rest of my career here.... This is just a great opportunity at a great time," she said. "I was a reluctant invitee into the process," Martin said. "Amherst made an aggressive effort and made a very strong case."

We wish both President Martin and Amherst the best as they pursue the Mission and goals of this prestigious college. Do I think the UW Regents had a hand in her "resignation/removal"? Absolutely.

Will we have more to say about this tomorrow - especially the search and replacement process, you betcha.