2013 Assembly Joint Resolution 66
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and service of former Lawrence University president Richard Warch.
Whereas, Richard Warch was born on August 4, 1939, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and died on September 14, 2013, at the age of 74 from thymoma cancer; and
Whereas, Richard Warch received his bachelor's degree in history from Williams College in 1961, received his bachelor of divinity degree from the Yale Divinity School in 1964, and received his Ph.D. in American studies from Yale University in 1968; and
Whereas, Richard Warch began his career in higher education at Yale University, where he taught history and American studies for nine years, serving as director of its National Humanities Institute for two years and as associate dean and director of the Visiting Faculty Program for one year; and
Whereas, Richard Warch moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1977 to become a professor of history and the vice president of academic affairs at Lawrence University; and
Whereas, in 1979 Richard Warch was named the fourteenth president of Lawrence University and served as the face and voice of the college until his retirement in 2004; and
Whereas, his 25-year presidency is the second longest in Lawrence University's long and proud history; and
Whereas, nearly one-third of Lawrence University's 20,000 living alumni graduated during Richard Warch's presidency; and
Whereas, during the tenure of Richard Warch, Lawrence University built six new campus buildings, including a campus center that was named in honor of Richard Warch and his wife, Margot, and eight other buildings received major renovations; and
Whereas, under the leadership of Richard Warch, Lawrence University's endowment grew from $23 million to $182 million; and
Whereas, a major part of Richard Warch's legacy at Lawrence University was the establishment of Björklunden, the University's 425-acre northern campus in Door County, which has become an integral part of a Lawrence education; and
Whereas, Richard Warch was a tireless and effective advocate for a liberal arts education; and
Whereas, Richard Warch oversaw a comprehensive curriculum review, which produced a new set of general education requirements at Lawrence University; and
Whereas, Richard Warch transformed the Conservatory of Music by expanding its curricular scope, encouraging students from the University and the Conservatory to sample each other's worlds and bring music into Lawrence's broad liberal arts curriculum; and
Whereas, the 1987 study "The Effective College President," a two-year project by the Exxon Education Foundation, named Richard Warch one of the nation's top 100 college presidents; and
Whereas, in 1999 Richard Warch was named to the executive committee of the Annapolis Group, an association of more than 100 of America's leading liberal arts colleges; and
Whereas, Richard Warch is the author of School of the Prophets: Yale College, 1701-1740 and coeditor of the volume John Brown in the Prentice-Hall Great Lives Observed series; and
Whereas, in addition to his higher education responsibilities, Richard Warch served as a chair or director on numerous boards, including the boards of Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., Wausau Insurance Company, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, the Wisconsin Ethics Board, the Appleton Development Council, the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center; and
Whereas, Richard Warch spent his retirement in Ellison Bay becoming knowledgeable about the birds and wildflowers of Door County; traveling with his wife, Margot; and enjoying extended visits with his children, grandchildren, and friends; and
Whereas, Richard Warch was the loving husband of Margot and the beloved father of Stephen, David, and Karin; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life and service of Richard Warch and mourn his passing, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to Richard Warch's wife, Margot, and to their children, Stephen, David, and Karin.
