The Ward Legacy, a timeline

The following timeline highlights some of the major moments in David Ward's seven and a half years as chancellor.

		Sept. 15, 1993 Newly appointed Chancellor David Ward makes his first address to the Faculty Senate, urging members to "take a longer view of the university's future." Then-new themes are now familiar: embrace emerging technology, pursue global connections, break down boundaries between programs and expand the learning experience beyond campus borders.		Leading a town hall meeting in 1993. At the dedication of the Bradley Learning Community in 1995. With the Dalai Lama at the Kohl Center in 1998. With Bucky at the unveiling of the Sesquicentennial commemorative postcard in 1999. With Governor Thompson during the 1999 budget signing.
	Oct. 30, 1993 Seven students are seriously injured in a crowd surge at Camp Randall. Ward quickly organizes a review of the incident that eventually leads to safety improvements in stadium seating and crowd control.
	Nov. 10, 1993 Ward begins the process of meeting the challenges of the future, soliciting ideas from the university community in three general areas: the learning environment, the university's physical infrastructure and ways to adopt a more "horizontal" organizational structure.
	Dec. 9, 1994 Students, faculty and staff attend the first of four open informal campus forums to discuss the Campus Master Plan, a 19-month planning effort that will determine how the campus should be physically organized and managed in the future.
	April 1995 Ward outlines his "Vision for the Future" of the university in a strategic planning document that lays the groundwork for the many initiatives that follow during the next five years. [Read the "Vision for the Future" document]
	Aug. 29, 1995 Ward convenes the innovative Bradley Learning Community, which along with Chadbourne Residential College becomes a national model for integrated living-and-learning experiences. [Read more]
	November 15, 1995 In a move to enhance campus safety where the campus and city meet, Ward announces a mix of law enforcement and social service measures to address concerns in the lower-campus area. [Read more]
	April 24, 1996 In one of many efforts to expand global connections, Ward signs agreements with Thai officials as the opening of the chancellor's Asian Partnership Initiative to promote joint work in science and science education, and to open up new opportunities for Wisconsin businesses in one of Asia's fastest-growing nations. [Read more]
	April 2, 1997 In an unprecedented open letter to the chief executives of the nation's state and land-grant colleges and universities, Ward and 24 other current and former public university presidents announce a bold framework for reform designed to put students first.
	September 1998 Ward and the campus community kick off a series of major campus and community events to celebrate the university's 150th anniversary. [Read more]
	Dec. 9, 1998 Ward and campus leaders launch a plan to hire up to 150 professors during the next four years. The "Sesquicentennial Hires" program is part of Ward's budget initiative. The hires will be made in addition to the estimated 400 professors the university will hire in the next four years due to normal turnover.
	February 1999 Under an agreement between Ward and students, the university agrees to push for a tougher code of conduct for companies that produce university-licensed apparel and other products in "sweatshops." He calls for a national symposium, which is held in November and results in recommendations for multi-university partnerships and research programs on sweatshop-related topics. [Read more]
	October 6, 1999 Following the Legislature's approval of the first $29.2 million for the Madison Initiative, Ward says the new state budget contains the best news for the university in at least a decade. [Read more]