UW System hammers last nail during chancellor inauguration

System president dubs chancellor 'Gandhi on ice'

Spectator Staff

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Campus News

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Newly inaugurated Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich speaks about his goals for the future of UW-Eau Claire at his inauguration ceremony Friday afternoon in Ganter Concert Hall of Haas Fine Arts Center.

More than eight months after his selection and more than four months after taking office, Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich spoke of using the right tools at his inauguration Friday afternoon in Gantner Hall of Haas Fine Arts Center.

In his inaugural address, titled "If I had a hammer," Levin-Stankevich focused on the strengths of UW-Eau Claire and the importance of using the talents of each individual as tools to better serve the university and Eau Claire communities.

About 500 people, including students, faculty, staff and community members as well as many family, friends and colleagues of the chancellor from around the nation, gathered for the hour-and-a-half-long event.
Several UW System administrators, including Regent Jesus Salas and System President Kevin Reilly, also attended, along with Executive Senior Vice President for Administration and former Eau Claire Chancellor Donald Mash.

Representatives from University Senate, Student Senate, the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin state Legislature also made congratulatory comments on behalf of their respective bodies.

Reilly introduced the chancellor as a "Gandhi on ice," citing Levin-Stankevich's leadership skills and hockey talent, before presenting Levin-Stankevich with the University Medallion.

The inauguration also included performances by the University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Nobuyoshi Yasuda, and the Singing Statesmen, under the direction of Gary Schwartzhoff. A reception followed the event and featured smaller ensembles from the music department.

Levin-Stankevich is the university's seventh chief executive and replaced Mash, who accepted his newly created System position in March 2005. The new chancellor started June 1, following Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson, who served a 13-month term.

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