Ward, 72, was born in Manchester, England, and picked up bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Leeds. He came to the United States in 1960 after earning a Fulbright Travel award, and he received a doctorate from UW-Madison in 1963.

He then spent more than three decades as a faculty member at UW-Madison. Among other positions, he served as chair of the geography department from 1974 to 1977, and as associate dean of the Graduate School from 1980 to 1987.

He was named vice chancellor for academic affairs in 1989 and two years later added the title of provost, which is the No. 2 position on campus behind chancellor. He was named interim chancellor in January 1993 before landing the chancellor position in June of that year.

For a closer look at some of Ward's accomplishments while at UW-Madison, check out this archived university web page.

The next step will be for UW-Madison to form a search-and-screen committee to look for candidates to fill the chancellor position on a full-time basis. It will likely take about a year for a new chancellor to be hired.