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Evers Announces Three Regent Board Appointments at “Critical Time” for UW System

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Evers Announces Three Regent Board Appointments at “Critical Time” for UW System

Democratic Governor Tony Evers announced three meetings at the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Friday, just one week after Regent Robert Atwell, appointed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2017, announced his intention remain on the board beyond his or her term until a successor is named and confirmed.

This appointment will fill vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of three appointees at a time when the UW System is at a “critical juncture,” facing campus closures, layoffs and the implementation of a litigation system agreement surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Evers appointed Tim Nixon, Jack Salzwedel and Desmond Adongo to fill the vacancies, which expired on May 1.

“Our UW System is at a critical juncture after a decade of war on higher education by our state’s Republican lawmakers, the devastating results of which we are seeing as campuses close their doors, lay off staff and cut programs.” , Evers said. in a Press release Friday.

The Board of Regents, composed of 18 members, is currently composed of 14 Evers appointees and two Walker appointees. Salzwedel and Adongo would replace former Evers appointees for terms that would last until 2031 and 2026, respectively. Nixon would serve a term that would last until 2031.

Evers tapped Nixon, a commercial lawyer and graduate of UW-Green Bay and UW-Madison, to fill the vacancy left by the expiration of Atwell’s term.

Atwell said last week that he stay to the Board of Regents until a successor is named and confirmed, acting on the advice of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.

At a Capitol Pride flag-raising ceremony Friday, Evers told the Daily that Cardinal Atwell “was a person of extraordinary integrity” and that he believed Atwell would voluntarily decide to leave the Council of regents later.

“One of the primary jobs (of the Board of Regents) is to ensure that the University of Wisconsin system continues to be one of the best in the country. But when we play these games with members of the Board of Regents, it’s a problem,” Evers told the Cardinal. “I believe at some point he will decide to step down, but we have good people ready to go, and for sure two or three will be on the board next time.”

Since Evers took office in 2019, the Republican-controlled state Senate has rejected 22 executive branch appointments and held hundreds more in legislative vacuum by refusing to hold confirmation hearings.

In March, Senate Republicans licensed two unconfirmed regents appointed by Evers. The Regents, John Miller and Dana Wachs, both voted against the December agreement between the UW System and the Legislature capping DEI programs in exchange for construction funding.

The other people named, Sazwedel and Adongo, both expressed their gratitude for their selection and said they look forward to serving the UW System and the state.

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Adongo, an economics and environment student at UW-Oshkosh, previously worked as coordinator of learning and development operations at Foot Locker Inc. Adongo, who serves as nontraditional student regent, said he is excited to bring a “unique perspective” to improve student experiences throughout the UW system.

And Salzwedel, former president and CEO for ten years of the American Family Mutual Insurance Company, has served on several boards, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and the UW Chancellor’s Advisory Council .

“Having grown up, lived and worked in the state of Wisconsin for most of my life, I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege to be selected to serve on the University of Wisconsin Board of Trustees,” said Salzwedel said.

Vos did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Evers’ appointees would receive a confirmation hearing. The state Senate is unlikely to consider the nominations in the near future, while the Legislature finished finished its session in mid-May and probably won’t return until 2025.

State News Editor Anna Kleiber contributed to this article.

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Gavin Escott

Gavin Escott is the campus news editor for the Daily Cardinal. He has covered protests, breaking news and written in-depth about Wisconsin politics and higher education. He is the former producer of the Cardinal Call podcast. Follow him on Twitter at @gav_escott.