Chancellor streamlines communications functions

As part of UW–Madison’s new initiative to strengthen its communications with the business community, Chancellor John D. Wiley announced today two changes in the management of university communications that he said “will make better use of our available resources and expertise in this important area.”

Wiley said Patrick Strickler, who has been director of University Communications for the past four years, has been named director of communications for corporate relations. Amy Toburen has been named director of University Communications.

Toburen, who has served as associate director of the office for the past nine years, joined the university’s news and public affairs staff in 1988.

Strickler, who first joined the university after a 35-year career in public affairs management in the private sector, will provide communications counsel and support to the university’s new Office of Corporate Relations as well as University Research Park, and will be “of counsel” to University Communications, Wiley said.

“These changes reflect our expanding commitment to better serve the business community, as well as the fact that we have the resources and the expertise to tell our story to all those with a stake in the work of this university,” he said.

Wiley said Strickler’s experience in managing communications in the private sector “will be a real asset as we work hard to build and strengthen our bridges with the private sector.” He added that Toburen’s 20 years of media experience, and her “integrated approach to communications and tremendous depth of experience in managing the issues and progress of the university over the past 15 years, will continue to be one of the major strengths of this large and complex university.”

Strickler and Toburen will continue to report to the Office of the Chancellor in their new assignments, Wiley said.