Recently, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago announced his resignation from UWM to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Hispanic College Fund in Washington, D.C. I imagine our long time readers would expect us to be dancing a jig or throwing quite the party at the possibility that his departure could derail the Wauwatosa expansion, but believe it or not, we’re disappointed he’s leaving UWM.

Although, we have been critical of UWM’s efforts to expand in Wauwatosa, we have always believed that UWM’s growth is critical to Milwaukee. Specifically, the School of Freshwater Sciences, the School of Public Health, and an expanded research program in the Engineering School are all desirable goals that collectively can help UWM and Milwaukee grow.

The UWM School of Freshwater Sciences will not continue their plans to build a new headquarters for the school on the lakefront site that formerly housed Pieces of Eight restaurant. We had supported the location choice, but that location choice was certainly controversial. Seeking a less controversial site to house the cornerstone piece of something so valuable to Milwaukee’s future is a wise move.

Yes. The single most important expansion of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee currently underway is the proposed School of Freshwater Sciences. We’ve all heard it “water is the new oil.” It is true, fresh water just might be the key to future growth in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin, and with 120 water-oriented companies and facilities for five of the eleven largest water companies in the world, not to mention UWM’s existing Great Lakes Water Institute, Milwaukee is poised to become the world leader is this industry.