WCA Praises Naming of Tommy Thompson as UW System Interim President

“Precisely the Person to Lead at this Time”

The naming of Tommy Thompson as Interim President of the University of Wisconsin System, just days after Jim Johnson of Alaska withdrew from consideration, is the right move at the right time, according to the Wisconsin Counties Association.

See a PDF of the June 20, 2020 WCA media release on Thompson’s naming here.

“Tommy Thompson is one of the great leaders of our time having led Wisconsin as Governor in the 80’s and 90’s and heading up the federal Department of Health and Human Services during and after the 9-11 attack,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “Governor Thompson did not learn to be a leader; he was born a leader and it has shown throughout his career. Now, he is giving of himself once again stepping forward to lead the UW System as President in a very difficult time.”

O’Connell continued, “The UW System is one of the crown jewels of our state. It produces the fuel needed to create a vibrant and successful economy, namely, smart young talent. With financial stress, COVID challenges, and enrollment and tuition strains, Governor Thompson is precisely the person to lead the UW System at this time.”

The Wisconsin Counties Association is a statewide organization representing the interests of county government at the state and federal level. County government has a close working relationship with higher education in the state of Wisconsin sharing in funding the UW Extension offerings in all seventy-two counties.