UW Office of Corporate Relations Celebrates Early Accomplishments

Madison, Wis.-- In its first six months of operation, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Corporate Relations has experienced business and community-related success. The office was established mid-2003 by Chancellor John Wiley, who charged it with serving the needs of the business community by creating a "front door" to make the resources of the university more accessible to business.

OCR’s most notable accomplishments include interfacing with over 300 companies in Wisconsin and other states, presenting information to over 30 groups such as Rotary Clubs and chambers of commerce and conducting new business workshops for faculty, staff and entrepreneurs.

"We are coming together under our mission of serving the needs of the business community," said OCR Managing Director Charles Hoslet. “And while we have gotten off to a good start, there is much work to be done."

The creation of a new Web site is also among OCR’s early accomplishments and includes special reports, news and campus resources for businesses. OCR also created an online database to track, organize and synthesize university-to-business relations.

The office is funded entirely by private resources and located in the WARF building. OCR has a staff of six and a seventh person based in University Research Park.