As an administrator, former Provost Biddy Martin was devoted to improving the lives of students, faculty and staff. As President David Skorton’s first deputy officer, she pioneered initiatives to increase financial aid, appoint new deans and increase communication and cohesion across our large and disparate University. It’s because of her stellar academic and administrative record at Cornell that we’re disappointed to learn of the controversy surrounding her appointment as the new chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Two weeks ago, a blog post on the National Review Online criticized Martin as a “self-indulged, theory-laden, post-modern scholar.”

While many Cornell students, faculty and staff have offered both praise for Provost Biddy Martin as she prepares to assume the position of University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor in September and lamentation in the wake of her absence at Cornell, the chancellor-elect has become the brunt of harsh criticism amidst a highly publicized battle between members of Wisconsin’s state legislature.

On May 30, the National Review Online ran a blog post questioning if Martin — who the author described as an “obscure, self-indulged, theory-laden, post-modern scholar” — has what it takes to be chancellor of UW-Madison.

Following yesterday’s announcement that University Provost Carolyn “Biddy” Martin has accepted the position of University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor, the University is in the most preliminary stages of searching for Martin’s successor. Martin will continue to serve as provost during the summer.

Provost Biddy Martin gives the State of the University Address in March. Yesterday she was named the new chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Madison. Courtesy Cornell University.

Cornell University students, faculty and staff may be surprised to hear the latest news about long-time University Provost Carolyn “Biddy” Martin: as of this morning, she has accepted the position of University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor.

The decision is pending Board of Regents approval, according to The Capital Times, a Madison newspaper. She is expected to be approved at the Board of Regents’ meeting on June 5-6 at U.W.-Milwaukee.

Provost Biddy Martin gives the State of the University Address in March. Today she was named the new chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Madison. Courtesy Cornell University

Four people are vying to take over for University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jon Wiley at the helm of the nation’s 10th largest university when he steps down in September. One candidate is Cornell’s own Provost Biddy Martin.

U.W. System President Kevin Reilly named Martin a finalist for the position on Wednesday, signifying that she has made one of the last cuts in the chancellor search.

“It is a particularly exciting opportunity because of the quality of the institution and the fact that it is my Ph.D. alma mater,” Martin, who graduated from UW-Madison in 1985 with a degree in German literature, stated in an email.