April 29, 2005
In front of an overflow crowd of UWM students, faculty and staff, and honored guests from across the United States, Carlos E. Santiago was inaugurated the seventh chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday, April 29, 2005. The investiture of the chancellor was conducted by UW System President Kevin Reilly, with the assistance of Board of Regents President Toby Marcovich and UWM Professor Mark Schwartz. Regent Jose Olivieri was the master of ceremonies.
Speaking in the Helen Bader Concert Hall within the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Chancellor Santiago called for the nationwide creation of Knowledge-Economy Grants. The grants would be similar to the land grant concept on which public U.S. higher education was founded in the 19th century. The grants would focus on investments in public universities that serve areas where there are the greatest disparities between workforce needs and educational attainment.
Among the many dignitaries welcoming Chancellor Santiago were Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Performances from the students and faculty of the UWM Peck School of the Arts highlighted the afternoon. UWM Wind Ensemble and University Choir performed, as did student vocalist Annie Thompson, alumni dancer Korey Jackson and classical guitarist and lecturer Rene Izquierdo.