With Gov. Jim Doyle's announcement of five new appointments to the UW System Board of Regents comes a period of adjustment for the current members and one of education for the new appointees.
All five new members are graduates of the UW System and to this day have remained involved with the system.
\I have had a long involvement with the university and I have worked with Jim Doyle on this transition team. I assume I was appointed because of my commitment to this university,"" David Walsh, one of Doyle's appointees, said.
The Board's new members come from a wide variety of backgrounds which include the legal minds of Walsh and Mark Bradley along with Peggy Rosenzweig, a former state senator.
Doyle also appointed Danae Davis of Miller Brewing Co. and Jesus Salas, a bilingual educator in Milwaukee.
To be appointed, Bradley was asked to supply background information. He was later called by Doyle and asked to be a part of the Board.
""He told me it would be hard work, but I think part of my appointment has to do with my previous work in the UW budget office,"" Bradley said. ""I'm very honored to have been asked to serve because the system is such an important resource for the state of Wisconsin and I am very attracted to the fact it is a citizen board.""
The current student regent, Tommie Jones Jr., said he looks forward to what the new appointees will bring to the Board. However, he said he is saddened to see some of the former members leave.
""I don't know what to expect,"" Jones said. ""I expect they'll have to learn a lot just like I had to. By May [Doyle will] have changed the entire scope of the Board. It will be a learning curve.""
Jones said it will be up to the old members to help the new ones in any way possible because everyone is part of the same system.
Bradley said he is going into the appointment not quite sure why he was chosen by the governor. However, he said he feels he will be able to provide a parent's perspective as well as a central Wisconsin perspective since he is not from Milwaukee or Madison.
Jones said he feels Rosenzweig will play a vital role because of her former position as a state senator.
""She knows members of the Legislature, as she is a former legislator. That is something that will be key in making decisions because the Legislature plays a part in our decisions. Plus, I know she loves this state,"" Jones said.
