SIU Board Chooses Poshard For President
 (Carbondale, IL) The Board of Trustees (BOT) of Southern Illinois
University today announced that former U.S. Congressman Glenn
Poshard has been unanimously chosen to serve as the next President
of Southern Illinois University. Mr. Roger Tedrick, Chair of the SIU
Board of Trustees, called Poshard’s selection a watershed decision
in the University’s proud history.
“Today I am pleased to bring the news that Southern Illinois
University’s future will be led by an individual that has meant so
much to its past,” Tedrick commented. “Glenn Poshard’s honorable
public service career and his forty-year relationship with this
institution presented the Board with the rare opportunity to select
a uniquely qualified individual, who not only knows where SIU has
been, but where it would like to go.” Tedrick concluded.
Poshard’s selection culminated a five-month national search
conducted by Atlanta based Baker-Parker and Associates, a nationally
recognized executive search firm. Poshard’s name was one of four
finalists forwarded to the Board by the twenty-two member SIU
Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC).
The PSAC, whose membership was drawn from the various university
interest and constituency groups of each campus in the SIU system,
was established earlier this year to assist the Board in screening
and recommending qualified applicants for the position. SIU
professor Harold Bardo served as chair of the PSAC. Bardo is the
Director of SIU School of Medicine’s MED-PREP program, a nationally
recognized pre-medicine/pre-dental program for disadvantaged
students.
“The search process was deliberate and thoughtful. The search
firm solicited more than 400 names for the position, the PSAC
reviewed more than forty individual candidate profiles, held in-
person interviews with eight finalists and recommended four highly
qualified finalists to the Board,” Bardo explained. “In my personal
view, the internal candidate had the strongest combined set of
credentials, experience, and leadership skills that the SIU
community was looking for in its next President,” Bardo continued.
Poshard, 60, resigned as SIU Board Chair in June of this year to
become a candidate for President when current SIU President James
Walker announced his intentions to retire. Walker, currently on sick
leave battling prostate cancer, praised the decision. “Glenn has a
devotion to Southern Illinois University that is unsurpassed,”
Walker commented. “Having worked with him for the past several
years, I am absolutely convinced that he has the knowledge and
leadership skills, combined with a desire to serve, that will make
him an outstanding university president. SIU has a bright future
that will only intensify with Glenn at the helm," Walker concluded.
Poshard, a former Congressman and state legislator from southern
Illinois, has a 40-year relationship with SIU as a student, adjunct
professor, administrator, and Board of Trustee member. He holds
three degrees from the University.
“I have often said that whatever I’ve been able to do with my
life, I owe to this university,” Poshard stated. “The opportunity to
advocate for and advance the interests of my alma mater is deeply
appreciated. I am humbled by the confidence that the Board and the
search committee have placed in me,” Poshard continued.
Poshard brings to the post a passion for education and a strongly
held belief that a quality education is the key to an individual’s
success in life. As an elected official, Poshard long advocated for
a more equitable funding system for K-12 education in Illinois. He
began his professional life as a high school teacher and coach in
southern Illinois. He later served for a decade as assistant
director of the Southern Illinois Educational Service Center and as
director of the Area Service Center for Educators of the Gifted in
Benton, Illinois.
Poshard, and his wife Jo, reside in rural Carbondale and together
co-founded the Poshard Foundation, a not-for-profit organization
that shelters and provides assistance to abused women and children
in the lower third of Illinois. Poshard has been a respected public
official in Illinois politics and government for two decades. He
began his political career in 1984 when he was appointed, then
elected to the Illinois State Senate. In 1988 Poshard was elected to
the United States Congress and served there until 1998. In 1998 he
ran unsuccessfully for Governor.
Poshard will assume the duties of President on January 1, 2006.
He will be paid a base salary of $292,000, identical to the current
base salary of SIU President James Walker. Effective January 1
Interim President Duane Stucky will return to his former position as
Vice President of Financial and Administrative Affairs for the SIU
system.
- A video of the press conference can be viewed online
here.
Quotes regarding Poshard’s selection as President
of SIU
“ Whatever I’ve been able to do with my life, I owe to this
university. The opportunity to advocate for and advance the
interests of my alma mater is deeply appreciated. ”
Glenn Poshard
"The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees couldn't have
made a better selection to the post of SIU President. Glenn
Poshard's deep understanding of higher education in general, and the
Southern Illinois University system in particular make him an
outstanding choice to lead the institution. The SIU system is an
important home of learning and progress in southern and southwestern
Illinois, as well as an economic engine for the region. These
institutions will continue to prosper in the capable and trustworthy
hands of Glenn Poshard."
Governor Rod Blagojevich
“Glenn Poshard’s honorable public service career and his forty
year relationship with this institution presented the Board with the
rare opportunity to select a uniquely qualified individual that not
only knows where SIU has been, but where it would like to go.”
Roger Tedrick, Chair, SIU Board of Trustees
Glenn has a devotion to Southern Illinois University that is
unsurpassed. Having worked with him for the past several years, I am
absolutely convinced that he has the knowledge and leadership
skills, combined with a desire to serve, that will make him an
outstanding university president. SIU has a bright future that will
only intensify with Glenn at the helm."
James E. Walker, President, Southern Illinois University
“The search process was deliberate and thoughtful. The search
firm solicited more than 400 names for the position, the PSAC
reviewed more than forty individual candidate profiles, held in-
person interviews with eight finalists and recommended four highly
qualified finalists to the Board. In my view, the internal candidate
had the strongest combined set of credentials, experience, and
leadership skills that the SIU community was looking for in its next
President.”
Harold Bardo Chair, Presidential Search Advisory Committee
“Glenn Poshard’s thoughtful approach to the entire Southern
Illinois University system, and his distinguished record of public
service, undeniably makes him the best possible person to serve as
Southern Illinois University’s next President.”
Ed Hightower, Vice-Chair, SIU BOT
“As former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Glenn Poshard was
instrumental in pushing important capital improvements such as the
School of Medicine’s new Cancer Institute in Springfield, the
renovation of Morris Library in Carbondale and the new residence
hall at Edwardsville. His thirst for progress will continue to move
SIU forward.”
Duane Stucky SIU Interim President and Chief Financial Officer
“Twenty one years ago a man sat down next to me in the Illinois
Senate. At that time, we had little in common except our shared
belief that a quality education meant equal opportunity for all.
Southern Illinois University has chosen wisely in selecting my good
friend Glenn Poshard.
The Honorable Emil Jones, Jr. Illinois Senate President
“ Dr. Poshard has been and will continue to be an articulate and
passionate voice for Southern Illinois University. There is no
question that he is well prepared to lead this university into a
bright future.”
Walter Wendler, Chancellor SIU Carbondale
“Dr. Poshard’s experience and accomplishments in higher education
will serve the SIU system well. As a BOT member and Chair, Glenn
Poshard has been instrumental in advancing the mission and vision of
SIU Edwardsville. His personal connections in the Metro-East area
and his working knowledge of our Edwardsville, East St. Louis, and
Alton campuses will allow him to hit the ground running."
Vaughn Vandegrift, Chancellor, SIU Edwardsville
Glenn Poshard biographical information
- Born in Herald, White County, Ill., October 30, 1945
- Attended Herald Elementary School, 1950-1958
- Graduated from Carmi Township High School, 1962
- Served in the United States Army, Specialist 5, 1962-1965
- Education: Southern Illinois University; B.S. 1970, M.S.,
1974, Ph.D., administration of higher education, 1984
- Teacher and sports coach, Galatia and Thompsonville High
Schools, 1970-1974
- Assistant director, Southern Illinois Regional Education
Service Center, and director, Area Service Center for Educators of
the Gifted, 1974-1984
- Illinois state senator, 1984-1988; United States House of
Representatives 1989-1999; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of
Illinois 1998
- 1999 co-founded with wife Jo the Poshard Foundation for abused
children
- 1999-2003 Vice-Chancellor of Administration, Southern Illinois
University(retired from position)
- 2004 appointed as Chair of the Southern Illinois University
Board of Trustees
- 2004 appointed as Chair of the Illinois Health Facilities
Planning Board.
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