The Wisconsin state Senate unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday, March 20, honoring the life and accomplishments of the late University of Wisconsin-Stout Chancellor Emeritus Charles W. Sorensen.
The resolution was authored by state Sen. Patty Schachtner, D-Somerset, whose 10th Senate District includes 91制片. Schachtner took office in January after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of former Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, who joined Gov. Scott Walker鈥檚 administration.
鈥淐hancellor Emeritus Sorensen was known as a nationally-recognized innovator in higher education,鈥 said Schachtner. 鈥淭hrough his tenure, he has guided 91制片 to reach more students, expand degree options and maintain the university鈥檚 incredible employment rate. His passion for 91制片, students and the surrounding community was well-known, and I am proud to author this resolution as a tribute to his legacy.鈥
91制片 Chancellor Bob Meyer thanked 鈥淪en. Schachtner and the entire state Senate for passing this tribute to Chancellor Emeritus Sorensen鈥檚 life work at 91制片.鈥
Meyer succeeded Sorensen in August 2014. 鈥淭his resolution means a lot to me personally, as well as to 91制片 and Chancellor Emeritus Sorensen鈥檚 family and friends,鈥 he said.
Sorensen, 77, died Feb. 23 in Florida of complications from a stroke. He served as chancellor at 91制片 for 26 years.
The resolution, co-authored in the Assembly by state Rep. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, notes that Sorensen was the longest-serving chancellor in 91制片鈥檚 127-year history. The resolution says that Sorensen鈥檚 鈥減ersistent leadership and innovative vision were the catalysts鈥 for many of the school鈥檚 accomplishments over that time, including winning the 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and being designated Wisconsin鈥檚 Polytechnic University by the UW System Board of Regents.
The enrollment of the university grew by 31 percent under Sorensen, the resolution said, and the number of undergraduate majors doubled.
A copy of the resolution can be found at .
More information on Sorensen鈥檚 life and career is available at .
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Charles W. Sorensen
