Former University of Wisconsin-Superior Chancellor Julius Erlenbach returned to campus last week in order take over the position of interim chancellor until Dr. Renee Wachter arrives to assume authority this summer.

Erlenbach spent his first week back attending meetings and learning about the major issues concerning the university. He says that he is approaching his twelve-week role with an, “anything I can do to help” attitude.

“When I got a call from the Systems office on behalf of the  Board [of Regents], wanting to know whether I'd step in and come out of retirement...I didn't really take too much time to think about it,” Erlenbach said. “I basically said if I can help, yeah; I'm willing to do it.”

Prior to returning to campus, Erlenbach spent time traveling in Indochina, visiting both North and South Vietnam as well as Cambodia. Before that was a week-long cruise along the Mexican Riviera. Otherwise, Erlenbach says he's been walking the beach in Florida, where he and his wife live during the winter, and trying to stay active, as well as visiting children and grandchildren.

“That's frankly the plan once I'm through,” he added. “It's going to be back to it!”

During his time back on campus Erlenbach says there are two main goals he wants to make sure to do. Those goals are to remain sensitive to current events in Madison concerning the budget and Gov. Walker's actions, and to reconnect with alumni and donors to continue to secure financial commitments. This way, when Chancellor Wachter arrives to take over as chancellor, she will be able to see the ongoing concerns with donor relationships and relationships in Madison.

Despite the political and budget situation of the state, Erlenbach says he is very confident about the future of UW-Superior.

“We've had, for a number of years, a really good leadership team and a really strong governance leadership,” Erlenbach commented. “As long as that continues; as long as we can all pull together as a community, I think the future for this university is very bright.”

Erlenbach feels that UW-Superior is on an upward-climbing path, and that with Chancellor Renee Wachter at the helm, the university will be in good hands.

“From everything I know about her, and have read about her, I think Renee Wachter will be a really positive leader coming in at a very nice time for her to move the institution along that path,” he said. “I think she will do a great job in continuing that movement upward.”