Martha Casey
Ph.D., Chemistry, MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Assistant Vice Chancellor Emerita for Academic Planning and Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biography
Martha and Chuck Casey joined the Department of Chemistry at UW–Madison in 1968, after earning their chemistry Ph.D.s at MIT. Chuck was hired as an Assistant Professor, and Martha became a postdoctoral fellow. After working six years in chemical research, their daughter Jennifer was born. Their expanded family, the lack of chemistry-related employment in Madison, and a terminal metastatic melanoma diagnosis for Chuck prompted Martha to seek alternative, more permanent employment. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (and former Chemistry Chair) Irving Shain invited her to join his staff at first temporarily and then later permanently. She remained in the UW–Madison administration for 29 years, working with 11 different Provosts, and becoming an Assistant Vice Chancellor. She developed the Office of Academic Planning and Analysis, sometimes referred to as the administrative “think tank.” The office worked on new program development, methods for maintaining competitive salaries, enrollment limitation policies, accountability measurements, and other initiatives. Martha represented UW–Madison nationally at the AAU Data Exchange and at other state and systemwide organizations.
She kept her contact with chemistry through dinner conversations at home or restaurants that usually involved recent advances in organometallic chemistry presented on paper napkins. She stayed active in the American Chemical Society, serving on their Council Policy Committee, Budget and Finance, and Nominations and Elections. She encouraged Chuck to run for ACS Presidency and helped him stay focused and grounded after he was elected. She is an ACS Fellow.
Over time, Martha has served on a number of UW–Madison boards and committees, such as Director at Large of the UW Alumni Association. Notably, she established a university-wide award for non-faculty staff members who have worked behind the scenes, usually with little recognition. She has also served on many community boards, including Madison Symphony and the Madison Opera. Her experience on boards includes promoting philanthropy and encouraging community involvement in chemistry and music. She currently also serves on the UW–Madison School of Music visiting board.