Skip to main content

UW-Extension Conference Centers and Mail Services join UW–Madison

August 21, 2018 By Carrie Lynch Springer
Photo: Large group of employees standing with lake in background

Employees of UW–Extension’s Conference Centers and Mail Services gather on the rooftop terrace of the Pyle Center. Their units are now part of UW–Madison. Submitted photo

On July 1, UW-Extension Conference Centers and Mail Services completed their transition to UW–Madison as part of the UW System’s restructuring project for UW Colleges and Extension. Employees of the two units underwent an orientation program to learn more about what it means for their team to be part of UW–Madison and celebrated completion of the program and the transition with a group photo on the rooftop of the Pyle Center.

Conference Centers and Mail Services integrated into the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Vice Chancellor Laurent Heller recently welcomed them to campus, noting the strong reputation they bring with them.

“In the brief period in which I have worked with Conference Centers and Mail Center staff, their high level of professionalism and commitment to the people they serve has already become clear.

“When the Pyle Center was built in 1957, it provided a roof over the Wisconsin Idea and brought the time-honored idea to life. I am confident that by working together in pursuit of this principle we will continue to deliver a high level of service expected of an outstanding university and valuable state resource,” said Heller.

Photo: Conference volunteer talking with attendees at table

You might not see them in the room, but the behind-the-scenes work of UW–Extension Conference Centers employees helps events like this one run smoothly. Photo: Jeff Miller

Conference Centers houses continuing education facilities, the Lowell Center and the Pyle Center. As a full-service conference center that also offers hotel services, it brings people to the Madison area from around the world, ensuring the Wisconsin Idea reaches well beyond campus by providing access to UW System resources for lifelong learners looking to collaborate and connect about research and innovation.

Mail Services has both a bulk mail department, specializing in large-scale postal mail campaigns, and a mail center department that serves over 30 UW–Madison departments. It provides regular postal mail pickup as well as delivery and mailing services for first-class envelopes to international packages.

“Their high level of professionalism and commitment to the people they serve has already become clear.”

Laurent Heller

Director of Conference Centers and Mail Centers Bill Mann applauded the efforts of everyone who helped successfully complete the complex transition in such a short time.

“Thanks to all the hard work of our staff and new campus partners at UW–Madison Human Resources and Business Services, our transition has been relatively seamless,” said Mann. “And since we have a long history of successfully doing business with numerous UW–Madison departments, this transition will provide new opportunities for us to serve the campus community.”