New UW-Madison Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin says the university is a statewide economic driver that can do even more to foster small and big businesses alike during tough times.
Martin yesterday called the financial stress facing the state “unprecedented.” But she said that cutting the UW too much in the next state budget would diminish the university’s stature and harm state economic development in the long term.
Said Martin at a WisBusiness.com luncheon …. “With relatively modest investment compared to what’s being made elsewhere, we can keep a university great that’s already great.”
She said UW-Madison is a gem that shouldn’t be marred by deep budget cuts. She says it’s — quote — “almost a miracle that a state with relatively modest wealth over time has built a flagship campus that’s this great.”
She said the university’s role in creating business depends on attracting the best students and faculty.
And she hailed the entrepreneurial spirit of UW-Madison. She referred to her work with Business Dean Mike Knetter and University Research Park Director Mark Bugher to enhance that entrepreneurship as one of her most enjoyable experiences since taking the helm at Madison.
Concluded Martin …”There’s a certain kind of entrepreneurial spirit that has everything to do with having this be a research university ….And to the extent that we keep this a great research university, all these young people benefit.”
