An assistant chancellor emeritus of Student Affairs has returned to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to serve as the interim director of the UWSP Foundation.

Helen R. Godfrey, who retired from UWSP in 1999 after 33 years of leadership and service, begins her new duties today. She will work part-time, supervising personnel in the foundation and working with Foundation Board members and serving as a consultant to Interim Chancellor Virginia Helm on fund-raising issues.

A search has already begun for a permanent executive director of the UWSP Foundation and assistant to the chancellor for advancement, after an initial search was unsuccessful last fall. Godfrey will serve in the interim position until June 30 or until a new director is hired.

"The university is my first love and my home," said Godfrey, who added she felt compelled to return. "The foundation is a key function for the university and I want to do what I can to help. I�m looking forward to it."

Bob Tomlinson, who succeeded Godfrey as vice chancellor for Student Affairs, initiated the idea of Godfrey�s return with Interim Chancellor Helm, and both approached Godfrey. Having served as head of university relations for 16 years at UWSP, it was ideal that she return to those duties, Tomlinson said.

"We�re delighted that a person of her experience and respect in the community has come forward to help us out," he said.

"I am both pleased and grateful that Helen is willing to accept this interim appointment," said Helm. "She has the respect and confidence of all who know her both on and off campus and I look forward to working with her while we conduct a search for the permanent position in the foundation."

In addition to working at UWSP, Godfrey will continue in her second year as chair of the Camp Manito-wish YMCA Board of Directors, with which she has served since 1992. Godfrey worked at the camp, now a year-round youth and leadership center, from 1957-1963, and has stayed involved.

The founder and long-time supporter of the Helen R. Godfrey University Child Learning and Care Center at UWSP, she is currently a member of its board of directors as well as on the boards of the Friends of Treehaven, the Friends of the UWSP Natural History Museum, the Community Foundation of Portage County, the Stevens Point YMCA Foundation and the Women�s Athletic Fund. She also is involved with Kiwanis and Special Olympics-Wisconsin.

Godfrey served in a variety of roles while at UWSP, including associate dean of students, executive director of co-curricular services, assistant chancellor of university relations and assistant chancellor of student development and university relations.

She holds degrees from UW-Madison and Michigan State University. Before coming to UWSP in the mid-60s, she was assistant dean of women and director of residence halls at Ohio State University.

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