“Keeper of the records,” Dr. Victor Pagenkopf, registrar at UW-Platteville, is closing out 43 years as an educator.
Pagenkopf who has been registrar at the university since 1962, taught or was an administrator in rural schools in Clark County, Bloomer and Beloit since 1933, joined the university in 1950 as a fifth grade supervising teacher in the campus laboratory school. He earned his B.S. at Eau Claire, his M.S. at UW-Madison and his Ed.D. at Utah State University.
(At one time teacher at Silver Crest School in Pine Valley, where my aunt and my Mom attended, when he taught there. Dmk)
The registrar said he had originally intended to become a veterinarian, but that lack of finances for such a long program led him to the field of education. He stated he has enjoyed his work and has no regrets about his decision. He has reached the mandatory retirement age for administrators in the university system.
During his tenure as registrar, Dr. Pagenkopf served several years as an advisor to the student governing board and on numerous university and system-wide committees. He was also president of the Association for Student Teaching. He taught some university classes each semester until demands on his time as registrar forced him to keep to administrative duties.
The retiring educator saw the present university grow from three buildings—Ol Main, Ullrich and the art building to the present 27 buildings. During his tenure, the college farm has been shifted from a few acres near the campus to the present 400 acres a few miles from Platteville. He has been a member of the faculty during four name changes for the university.
He said he would miss working with the students and the faculty but would not miss the long working hours. During an honors convocation at the university, he received a commendation from Vice-chancellor Cadwallader and a standing ovation from the audience for his dedication and concern for students and his
ability to understand their problems.
At the Lettermen’s banquet, May 6, Pagenkopf received the Wisconsin State University Athletic Conference Meritorious Service Award. One such award is presented each year.
After retirement June 30, Dr. Pagenkopf intends to travel with his wife, become more active in a variety of organizations to which he belongs and to pursue hobbies which he has always enjoyed. He also hopes to get a part-time job, “preferably in Platteville.”
