Aural M. Umhoefer
Time period/Baraboo: 1968 – present
Submitted by: Ann Schwartz, Claire Barnett, Meg Umhoefer
Aural Umhoefer and her husband Paul came to Baraboo in 1968 when she accepted the position of Library Director for the future UW Baraboo/Sauk County campus. She created the school’s library from scratch, utilizing all of the latest technology to make it a true campus learning resource center. Of the 30-plus years that Aural worked at UW Baraboo/Sauk County, the last 22 years were spent as CEO and campus Dean, making her the longest serving dean in the UW Colleges history. The administration building at the campus has been named the Aural M. Umhoefer Building in her honor.
She has served on countless local, statewide and university boards and committees. Currently she is an officer on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Campus, the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, and the Circus World Museum Foundation. She has also served on boards as diverse as the Baraboo Economic Development Commission, St. Clare Hospital Development Board, Wells Fargo Baraboo Community Advisory Board, and many others. In recognition of her efforts she has received many citations and awards, including the Baraboo Gem Award in 2015.
But this service to her community is only part of Aural’s story. She is known as a gracious hostess, and is always supportive of friends and family. To quote from Jane Austin, “Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder sister, or a truer friend?”