Kenneth Lindner, UWL chancellor during the 70’s, dies at 99

Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Kenneth Lindner has died at the age of 99.

The university said Lindner died on Dec. 4. He was living in the Black River Falls area at the time of his death.

Lindner was a chemistry professor when he came to the La Crosse campus in 1956. He soon moved into administration, becoming the college’s president in 1971.

Lindner was named chancellor that same year, when the UW System merged with La Crosse and other Wisconsin state universities.

During his eight years in charge of the university, Lindner presided over expansions on campus, which included the construction of Wimberly Hall and the Center for the Arts.

He went into state government in 1979, when newly-elected Gov. Lee Dreyfus — a former chancellor at UW-Stevens Point — appointed him Wisconsin’s Secretary of Administration.

After Dreyfus left office, Lindner returned to the UW-L staff and retired in 1988. A celebration of life will be held at a time yet to be announced.