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With Telfer at the wheel, UW-Whitewater is on the move

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Dr. Richard Telfer speaks to prospective UW-Whitewater students at presentation about the university at Young Auditorium. Dr. Telfer is being inaugurated Nov. 14 as the next chancellor of UW-Whitewater.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Dr. Richard Telfer is being inaugurated Nov. 14 as the next chancellor of UW-Whitewater. His office is in Hyer Hall, pictured.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Dr. Richard Telfer (right) listens to a prospective UW-Whitewater student before a presentation about the university at Young Auditorium. Dr. Telfer is being inaugurated Nov. 14 as the next chancellor of UW-Whitewater.

WHITEWATER — Dr. Richard J. Telfer is a man in motion.

He rode a scooter into the Irvin L. Young Auditorium before giving his state of the university address Aug. 26.

He mingled with community members at the "Women of Metal" exhibit at the Crossman Gallery on Sept. 9.

He and his wife, Roni, rolled down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage during the homecoming parade Oct. 25.

It seems appropriate, then, that the theme for his inauguration as the 15th chancellor of UW-Whitewater is "On the Move."

Telfer said it's his job to make things go—campus initiatives, community relationships, financial resources.

"I can't do it always sitting here," Telfer said from his office in Hyer Hall. "I have to be out and visible both on campus and off."

And when he's out, faculty and staff stop to shake his hand. Students wave. Visitors look up and smile. Often the greetings turn into conversations.

"He's very sincere and compassionate and interested in the person as well as advancing broader university goals," said Denise Ehlen, director of the research and sponsored programs and chair of the Academic Staff Assembly at UW-Whitewater.

"It's not just PR."

Rooted in tradition

Telfer, 60, has spent more than 20 years at UW-Whitewater. He will formally assume his position as chancellor at an inauguration ceremony Friday.

He was appointed chancellor in June after serving as interim chancellor for a year. Prior to that, he was provost and vice chancellor from 2002 to 2005 and associate vice chancellor from 1997 to 2002.

He previously served as a professor and department chair in the curriculum and instruction department and as an assistant dean in the graduate school. He first came to UW-Whitewater as an assistant professor in 1985.

"No one ever sets out to be chancellor," Telfer said.

But as he began to move up the administrative ladder, the possibility of some day getting the job became more real, he said.

"You think, ‘What if I were to do this? Do I have a vision that could work for the university? Is this a position where I might be helpful?'" Telfer said.

His experience and effort to move the university forward will be valuable to UW-Whitewater as it faces new challenges, Ehlen said.

"He's very connected to the traditions of the campus," she said. "It's valuable having that historical context in a leader. But he's very open to innovation … and so he's not insulated because of his historical knowledge."

Chris Clements, interim provost, said because of Telfer's longstanding relationship to UW-Whitewater, Telfer takes pride in moving the university forward.

"In many ways, this is his home," she said. "He's spent the majority of his career here … and so he takes pride in who we are and what we do.

"It's important to us."

Looking to the future

Telfer's plans for his tenure as chancellor center on UW-Whitewater's strategic plan.

As the university continues to strive for "premier status" among regional colleges and universities, the strategic plan calls for:

-- Expanded learning through dynamic, innovative and accessible programs and services.

-- Scholar-educators who integrate academic research with teaching.

-- Increased diversity and global perspectives.

-- Service to the region as an educational, economic and cultural resource.

-- Professional and personal integrity.

"As the leader of this campus, I want to be steeped in those areas," Telfer said. "I get to help set the direction we're going to go."

He speaks without reservation of how far UW-Whitewater has come and the challenges that stand in the way of getting to where it wants to be.

"He's really embracing the new strategic plan and growth agenda," Ehlen said. "He wants to build on our strengths to develop new strengths so that we can be more responsive to the needs of students."

Telfer said a key component of advancing the strategic plan is the university's relationship with the community, and he often acts as the connection between the two.

"He brings a sense of community to the campus," said Allison Rygh, student government president. "He's in tune with students and community members. He's definitely bridging that gap."

Chancellor material

Colleagues say it's Telfer's connection to the university, integrity and level-headedness that make him an effective leader.

Rygh said she is continually "impressed" at how Telfer balances the duties of chancellor with being a regular guy who cheers at Warhawk football games, attends art exhibits in the Crossman Gallery and grabs lunch in the University Center.

"You'd think as an administrator, he's an all-business type of guy," she said. "He's business-minded but very personable at the same time."

Clements said Telfer understands UW-Whitewater must adapt in a changing world but that progress doesn't come without its challenges.

"He knows how to deal with chaos and adversity with a certain amount of equanimity," she said. "He understands how to creatively engage with a different environment to help us to continue to become better all the time and to remain relevant.

"He isn't overwhelmed by what he sees," Clements said.

"He really is who UW-Whitewater is."

IF YOU GO

Reception

What: Community reception for Dr. Richard J. Telfer

When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Cravath Lakefront Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater.

Inauguration

What: Inauguration of Dr. Richard J. Telfer as the 15th chancellor of UW-Whitewater

When: 1 p.m. Friday

Where: Irvin L. Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater.

A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Center in the James R. Connor University Center