The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Sanders takes spot on Board of Trustees

Keith Sanders is returning to his old stomping ground at SIUC as the newest appointment to the SIU Board of Trustees.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday he had appointed Sanders, a former SIUC student and faculty member and, until about three years ago, the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, to take Harris Rowe's seat on SIU's policy-making board. Sanders' appointment to the Board of Trustees is the fourth made by Blagojevich since he took office in early 2003.

Blagojevich spokesman Gerardo Cardenaz said the governor thought Sanders' credentials in Illinois education made him a perfect fit for the board.

"[Sanders] expressed interest in joining the board, and the governor feels he is the right person for the appointment," Cardenaz said.

Sanders began his career at SIUC in 1957 when he entered the University as a freshman and joined the debate team, an event he described as a turning point is his life. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1961, and one year later, earned a master's degree in science.

Sanders became a speech instructor at SIU in 1967, and a decade later he was made a full professor. In 1983, Sanders began a six-year stint as the dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts, now the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, but left to take a job as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He subsequently lectured for the University of Wisconsin-Madison before taking on the executive director position at the IBHE. He held the position until his retirement in 2002.

Sanders did not reply to messages left at his home Thursday by the Daily Egyptian.

Board member John Simmons, an attorney from East Alton, said the appointment is good news for the University because Sanders, who has also authored several books and articles on communications in politics, brings more SIU experience to the board.

"I'm excited to see the governor is appointing people with ties to SIU," Simmons said. "For the first time, the board is filled with people who really know the University. It only makes sense."

Board Chairman Glenn Poshard said Sanders, a friend of 25 years, not only brings a familiarity with SIUC, but also a "depth of knowledge" about higher education that he is able to put to inventive use.

"He's a creative thinker," Poshard said. "He's not afraid to go outside the box. He was a great teacher and administrator at SIU, and I'm thrilled to see him come to the board."

Two more seats on the board - occupied by Poshard and 29-year member A.D. VanMeter - will be up for reappointment in January. Although Simmons said Poshard is a logical choice for the board and will likely be reappointed, he said the governor's office has kept silent on the issue.

Cardenaz said Blagojevich would speak publicly on the issue when he has come to a final decision.

"When it comes up, a decision will have been made," he said.

 

 

[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]

Today's News | Sports | Voices - Editorial | Letters
Newsbriefs | pulse - Arts & Entertainment | Calendar | Photo Staff
Apts & Rentals | Photo Personals | Live DE NewsCam | Classified Ads