Wheaton retirement: Campus loss, jazz scene gain

Jan Wheaton, assistant dean of students and director of Campus Information, Assistance and Orientation, as well as part-time jazz vocalist, retired this week after 35 years at the university.

Wheaton earned her master’s degree in bacteriology at UW–Madison and joined its academic staff in 1967 as a teaching specialist in the Department of Bacteriology. Since then, she has decorated her career with a distinguished list of administrative roles and accomplishments while entertaining the city with after-hours vocal performances.

“I really sort of stumbled into the university,” says Wheaton. “But I stayed because it was intellectually stimulating and very exciting to be right on the cutting edge of what was going on. I am a scientist, and science was happenin’.”

After 13 years as a teaching assistant, Wheaton joined the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as the director of its Minority/Disadvantaged Student Programs. In 1988, she became assistant dean for academic affairs and administration in the same college and served in that role for two years.

“Some of my best years were spent in CALS,” says Wheaton. “I think that’s where I really started to grow as an academic professional and began to understand the university and the needs of students.”

In 1990, Wheaton became director for academic affairs in athletics and then assistant dean of students in 1993, a position she held until retirement.

During her tenure in the Dean of Students Office, Wheaton helped design the SpeakUp Program, a discriminatory harassment reporting system for students; actively involved herself in the Summer Orientation, Advising and Registration Program; advised student organizations and played an integral role in policy review.

“Jan’s service to UW–Madison runs very long and very deep,” says Mary Rouse, former Dean of Students and current director of the Morgridge Center. “Since her first appointment as a teaching specialist her record of serving faculty, students and staff has been excellent. We are fortunate to have had Jan on staff for 35 years.”

Wheaton has also advised and counseled hundreds of students, which she says is her favorite aspect of the assistant dean position. “I got hooked on that,” she says. “It’s the sort of thing that once you’ve done it, you don’t stop doing it. I’ve learned as much from students about the real world as I hope they’ve learned from me.”

Wheaton’s most recent appointment was as director of CIAO in 1996.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for Jan at this moment,” says Tori Svoboda, a former Wheaton assistant who is now CIAO interim director. “I have come to appreciate her commitment to helping all students reach their educational and personal goals, and her willingness to teach and learn from both students and her colleagues. I wish her only the best as she is now able to commit more to her music career.”

As her administrative careers ends, Wheaton’s musical career will be taken off the back burner. She will probably be seen more often in darkish nightclubs and bars dazzling patrons with her soulful singing.

“The main plan in my life has always been to do music,” she says. “I’d like to continue working [as I have been] and I’d like to expand my area of work beyond Madison, which has been limited by my day job.”

In 1996, Madison magazine ranked Wheaton among Madison’s most-talented residents for her vocal performances.

“I get pleasure myself from giving what appears to be pleasure to those who listen,” Wheaton says. “The opportunity to see the joy on people’s faces is very fulfilling to me.”

In addition to her various administrative roles, Wheaton has also served on numerous academic committees, civic boards and commissions. In 1988, the Student Personnel Association honored Wheaton for her contributions to students and their quality of lives outside the classroom. In 1998, she received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service to the University for her dedication to UW–Madison throughout her career.

“If given the opportunity I’d do it all again pretty much the same way,” Wheaton says. “I’m very grateful and lucky to have been here through all the funny things that have happened in the last 35 years.”