Campus Connection

Morgan to serve through upcoming chancellor transition

Editor's note: Interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan shared the following message with faculty and staff on Dec. 27.

Based on the unanimous actions by the Board of Regents this evening, Joe Gow has been dismissed as Chancellor and I’ve been appointed as the interim Chancellor of UWL.

I’m honored to serve the students, faculty, and staff of UWL in this interim time while the university searches for a new permanent chancellor. I also want to acknowledge how challenging it is for the campus to face a change like this on such short notice. Please be assured that my sole goal will be to provide stable leadership in the months ahead. I came to UWL over 30 years ago to be an assistant professor in psychology. I stayed at the university because of the people. I live in Onalaska WI, and it was a wonderful place to raise my twin sons who are now 31. When I’m at events in the community, I’m always proud to say I work at UWL and always heartened by the response I get regarding the quality of our students and the importance of the university to the La Crosse area. I know we are a campus committed to academic excellence and student success.

Each of us knows that an excellent university like ours exists due to the actions and commitment of many and cannot be undone by any one individual. During the COVID pandemic, I had a meme that read “Keep Calm and Provost On.” I recommend we adopt the phrase “Keep Calm and UWL On.” I will be working with the Vice Chancellors, other campus and governance leadership, and Universities of Wisconsin leadership to provide a smooth transition.    

In the immediate short term, I will be securing my interim replacement as provost and will notify the campus when the details are known. I will be holding the traditional Chancellor’s remarks in January so we can kick off the Spring semester.  

It is my hope and goal that this transition will be seamless for everyone - but especially for our students.  

If you have questions in the immediate future, please send them to ucomm@uwlax.edu. 

About Morgan

Morgan, who arrived on campus in 1993, has served as UWL’s provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs since 2017. Previously, she was a professor and chair of UWL’s Psychology Department. 

Morgan holds a doctorate in social ecology (social and gender psychology) from the University of California, Irvine.  

She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and served as president of the Psi-Chi International Honor Society from 2013 to 2016. 

She has authored two textbooks and several peer-reviewed journal articles, and has presented at over 50 conferences nationwide. 

Morgan is a longtime resident of Onalaska, WI. She is the mother of identical twin sons, age 31. Her partner, Pete Flesch, is a farmer from the Soldier’s Grove area. Morgan is also a breast cancer survivor. 

Morgan looks forward to leading UWL through the upcoming chancellor transition.