
Monday was a busy day for Chancellor Designate Brian Levin-Stankevich. Meeting with press, faculty, staff, students and community members throughout the day, the future head of UW-Eau Claire can look forward to busier days ahead, said Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson.
“I guarantee you will never be bored,” she said to Levin-Stankevich, adding he will be only the seventh chancellor in the university’s 90-year existence.
With notes in one hand and a Pepsi in the other, Levin-Stankevich walked up to the podium at the press conference Monday morning before attending a welcome reception of more than 200 attendees.
Levin-Stankevich said he wants to help facilitate what many administrators, faculty members and students already have been trying to bring about, including the expansion of the faculty-student collaborative research program and a greater interaction between the university and city communities.
“So much of the message that we have to make publicly is dependent on my knowing the stories that come from this (university) community,” Levin-Stankevich said. “I need to learn a great deal more about the area.”
Trained as a historian, he said his natural curiosity causes him to always pose the question “why?” which is something he said involves “questioning what we do and how we do it,” to make sure it is the best possible solution
At the afternoon student reception, the incoming chancellor was given a taste of Blugold spirit when he was welcomed by members of the men’s and women’s hockey teams.
Dr. Brian, as he introduces himself, started the club hockey team at Eastern Washington University, the campus where he’ll leave the post of president, and said it is one of the things he’ll miss most about Washington.
“I think he seems like a really good guy,” junior hockey player Dan Lowhr said. “It’s definitely nice him having a sports background.”
In addition to becoming a Blugold fan, Levin-Stankevich, an avid cyclist, said he’s looking forward to checking out the area’s bike paths.
Levin-Stankevich and his wife, Debi, will leave Washington for Eau Claire in mid-May
Former Eau Claire chancellor and current Senior Executive Vice President for the UW System Donald Mash attended the morning reception to welcome Levin-Stankevich on behalf of the System.
“It was an honor and a privilege for me to serve as chancellor,” Mash said, adding he is more than confident in Levin-Stankevich’s ability to lead the university. “I’m optimistic; you can’t not be.”