Van Gemert, Steele appointed to interim director posts

Two senior University of Wisconsin–Madison staff members – Dorothy Steele at Facilities, Planning and Management and Ed Van Gemert at the General Library System – will step into interim leadership positions in their respective campus units.

Van Gemert has been appointed interim director of the UW–Madison’s General Library System, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Paul M. DeLuca Jr. has announced.

Van Gemert has been serving as associate director of the system. He steps into the position vacated by Ken Frazier, who retired this year after 19 years as director.

“It is my privilege to work with dedicated colleagues who continue to provide innovative library services to the university community,” Van Gemert says. “The libraries will, during this interim period, strive to meet their mission amidst continuous technological and economic changes. One of my priorities will be to engage students, faculty, and staff in discussions about the role and future of our research libraries in this rapidly changing university environment.”

Van Gemert will hold the interim position until a full-time director is appointed.

Meanwhile, Steele, director of business services in the Division of Facilities, Planning and Management, has been appointed interim associate vice chancellor for facilities, Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell announced.

“I am extremely fortunate to have an experienced and dedicated staff and facilities planning management team, and I will depend on them to continue to do the excellent work they do every single day,” Steele says.

Alan Fish, who served in the position since 2002, is departing to take the job of vice president of real estate and campus services at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Steele will remain in the position until a new associate vice chancellor is hired and commences employment.

Both interim appointments begin on Jan. 1.