Klappa serves as master of ceremonies for inauguration of UWM Chancellor Lovell

Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive of Wisconsin Energy, served as the master of ceremonies for the inauguration of Michael R. Lovell, the eighth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM), on Friday, Oct. 14.

“Our event today officially ratifies Dr. Lovell as chancellor, but it also celebrates this university, the greater Milwaukee community and the entire state of Wisconsin,” Klappa said at the event, which was held on campus in the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.

In his remarks, Klappa thanked several who previously served UWM as chancellor including – J. Martin Klotsche, Werner A. Baum, Leon Schur, Frank Horton, John Schroeder and Robert Greenstreet.

Many noted members of the university and civic communities spoke at the event, including:

• Michael Spector, president of the Board of Regents

• Dr. Mark Schwartz, representing the faculty’s University Committee

• Jean Salzer, chair of the Academic Staff Committee

• Alex Kostal, Student Association president

• Chris Abele, Milwaukee County executive

• Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee

• Sen. Herb Kohl

• Dr. Harvey Borovetz, a special colleague of Chancellor Lovell, who is a distinguished professor and chair of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering

• Bill Haberman, chairman of the board of the UWM Foundation

• Kevin Reilly, president of the University of Wisconsin System

Reilly and Dr. Schwartz bestowed the symbol of office – a medallion – on Lovell. “It is now my pleasure and honor to bestow this symbol of office and to charge that it be worn honorably and well during what promises to be a long, successful and happy term of office,” said Reilly.

After Lovell’s remarks, Klappa concluded the ceremonies. “Chancellor Lovell, congratulations. You’ll be an outstanding leader at an exciting time for UWM.”

Klappa is a 1972 graduate cum laude of UWM, with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He is a member of the UWM School of Business Advisory Council. In 2011, Klappa received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from UWM in recognition of his support of UWM’s growth initiative.