UW System President Announces Retirement

The University of Wisconsin System will soon be searching for a new leader. President Ray Cross announced his retirement Friday after five years on the job and more than 40 years in higher education. Cross, 71, will stay on as president until the Board of Regents hires a successor. "Serving as president of the UW System has been the most rewarding work of my life," Cross said in a statement. "I believe there is no better investment for the state of Wisconsin than the University of Wisconsin System." Cross served as system president during a politically contentious time. GOP lawmakers and former Gov. Scott Walker slashed funding and imposed a tuition freeze, which is still in effect. In the most recent budget cycle, Cross said he felt like he was "kicked in the shins" by GOP legislators' move to provide about half the operating funding requested by system. He had more success lobbying for money to renovate and replace aging campus buildings. In an interview in June during budget talks,