What to know about interim UW-La Crosse chancellor Betsy Morgan, replacement for Joe Gow
As UW-La Crosse faces a change at the top, longtime faculty member Betsy Morgan has been named interim chancellor.
She replaces Joe Gow, who was fired Wednesday after the UW System discovered videos posted on porn websites featuring him and his wife.
Here is what you should know about the interim leader of the university.
Who is interim La Crosse chancellor Betsy Morgan?
Morgan is the provost at UW-La Crosse, which is essentially the second in command at the university. According to the announcement naming her interim chancellor, Morgan joined the university in 1993 as a professor and later became chair of the school's psychology department.
Prior to being named provost, she was named interim provost twice, first in 2012 and again 2015. She was named permanent provost in 2017, beating out four other candidates.
"Our university will be very fortunate to benefit from her outstanding dedication and leadership skills," Gow said at the time in the university's magazine.
Holding a doctorate in social ecology (social and gender psychology) from the University of California at Berkley, Morgan is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association and served as president of the Psi-Chi International Honor Society from 2013-16.
Morgan is also a breast cancer survivor.
What has Betsy Morgan said since being named interim chancellor?
In an email sent to students obtained by the Journal Sentinel, Morgan wrote:
"I have recently been appointed as the interim chancellor of UWL. I’m honored to serve the students, faculty, and staff of UWL in this interim time while the university searches for a new permanent chancellor. I also want to acknowledge how challenging it is for the campus to face a change like this on such short notice. Please be assured that my sole goal will be to provide stable leadership in the months ahead and I’ll be working closely with student leadership.
"I came to UWL over 30 years ago to be an assistant professor in psychology and I stayed because of the people and the excellence of the university. I look forward to seeing you back on campus in the spring."
Why was Betsy Morgan named the interim chancellor at UW-La Crosse?
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents unanimously fired UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow Wednesday after discovering videos porn videos he appeared in with his wife, Carmen Wilson.
More: Facing controversy over porn videos, UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow has few regrets
Will the interim chancellor make decisions about Joe Gow?
UW System President Jay Rothman said he placed Gow on paid administrative leave as he transitions into a faculty role. Rothman has also filed a complaint with Morgan asking for Gow's tenured faculty status to be reviewed. Rothman also said he has engaged an outside law firm to conduct a full investigation.
Will Betsy Morgan be named permanent chancellor at UW-La Crosse?
That is unclear at this time. In a press release naming Morgan interim chancellor, the university announced that a national search is underway.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Betsy Morgan is UW-La Crosse's interim chancellor, replaces Joe Gow
