George to stay in Stevens Point

The good news at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point today is that Chancellor Thomas George won't be leaving and his wife Barbara Harbach will join the teaching staff at UWSP.

George, 52, was one of three finalists for the presidency of the University of South Florida (USF), which involved a search process of extensive interviews in Tampa and visits to Central Wisconsin by USF representatives.

The job has been offered to Judy Genshaft, provost at the State University of New York at Albany.

During the recent search for the USF presidency, George, who was recruited by a consulting firm, said, "They went after me. I didn't go seeking this one. I'm extremely happy with my position at UWSP. The university is fantastic, the community is fantastic, and the people are fantastic."

George has been at UWSP since June 1996 when he became the 12th person to head the university. (See attached list of campus accomplishments under Chancellor George’s leadership.) A world renowned scientist, he came to UWSP from Washington State University where he served as provost and academic vice president for five years.

Harbach, an internationally known organist, harpsichordist and composer, will join the College of Fine Arts and Communication this fall as a visiting professor. She has taught at UW-Oshkosh for the past three years and prior to that, she was a professor of music at Washington State University where she was recognized as Mortar Board Distinguished Professor of the Year in 1996. Among her many accomplishments was a recent performance on National Public Radio's "Pipe Dreams" program. At UW-Oshkosh she received the College of Letters and Science Teaching Innovation Award in 1998.

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