Provost Farrell's biography
Patrick V. Farrell
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Wisconsin-Madison
150 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Tel: 608/262-1304
Fax: 608/265-3324
E-mail: provost@provost.wisc.edu
As provost, Patrick Farrell serves as the chief operating officer of the university and deputy to the chancellor in the overall academic leadership and administrative management of the university. The provost acts as the chief executive officer of the institution in the chancellor's absence. Primary responsibilities of the position include: academic program planning involving 12 schools and colleges; faculty and staff development and personnel oversight; Dean of Students offices; enrollment management; Office for Equity and Diversity; the General Library System; information technology; diversity initiatives; outreach and extension programming; as well as collaboration with other vice chancellors in the areas of facilities planning and management, budget planning and management, human resources, and law and policy administration. The provost works closely with the deans and with faculty, staff and student committees in the exercise of shared governance of the institution.
Farrell has been at UW-Madison since 1982 as a member of the mechanical engineering faculty. He served as director of the Engine Research Center from 1999-2001, and beginning in 2001, became the College of Engineering associate dean for academic affairs. He was named executive associate dean in 2005. He was appointed Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in April, 2006.
Farrell’s research focuses on fluid mechanics, combustion and optical methods as they relate to engine design and function. He was part of the original team that developed an innovative hands-on design course for freshman engineers, and is a fellow of the UW-Madison Teaching Academy.
Farrell earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan, his master’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and his doctorate at the University of Michigan, all in mechanical engineering.