Shake-up in the UW System offices

Megan Twohey over at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that three of the University of Wisconsin System’s top communications officials have tendered letters of resignation. In a May 17 article, she notes:

UW System President Kevin Reilly said in a memo to regents, chancellors and other university officials that Margaret Lewis, associate vice president for government relations; Doug Bradley, director of communications; and Laurie Dies, special assistant for state relations, were resigning.

Their positions, Reilly said, will be used to create a new, three-person communications and external relations team that "will have an opportunity to redefine and revitalize how the University represents itself to the citizens of Wisconsin."

What’s interesting is that while Mesdames Lewis and Dies were both in positions that directly dealt with state and government relations – relations that many, including myself, see as being at a notable low point – Mr. Bradley was less a System diplomat and more of a classic media relations man in his job. So if this shake-up is to come in wake of State Street, which connects the state Capitol and the UW-Madison campus on which the System offices are based, becoming the “longest mile in Wisconsin,” it seems precarious that Mr. Bradley would be thrown into the mix.

There is obviously a lot to this exodus, and while Ms. Twohey has broken the story, it will certainly be interesting to see what details emerge – or don’t emerge, for that matter – over the coming days.

From a media point of view, it is worth noting that I knew Mr. Bradley in my previous capacity at the Badger Herald and came to speak with him on a few occasions throughout the past year. He was always a professional, cordial, informed, decent and kind man, which is saying a lot considering I was at the helm of the newspaper that was oftentimes giving the UW System the most heat.

It is a shame to see him go.