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Blakemore appointed general counsel to University

Of the 69 applicants vying for the position of general counsel to the University, at the end of the process, Jerry Blakemore was the last man standing.

The SIU Board of Trustees finance committee approved the appointment of Blakemore July 8 as general counsel to the SIU System.

As general counsel, Blakemore will act as the chief legal officer for the University and its affiliated institutions. In doing so, he will be responsible for guiding the BOT and President James Walker on any legal matters affecting the SIU System. These include University governance, student affairs and policy formation.

Bringing nearly 25 years of experience to the table, Blakemore's prior endeavors include serving as chief executive officer for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, commissioner for the Illinois Commerce Commission, deputy governor and legal counsel for the State of Illinois and a 12-year stint on the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Duane Stucky, vice president of Financial and Administrative Affairs and a search committee member, said Blakemore's broad legal experience and involvement with the IBHE make him the proper choice for the position.

Blakemore said he believes his wide-ranging legal skills will guide him in his decision making as general counsel. He said despite the current issues facing higher education, there is no challenge the University is incapable of overcoming.

"There are always challenges in trying to stay ahead of the curve when you're trying to provide a service like higher education," Blakemore said. "There's nothing on the horizon that makes me feel pessimistic about what we're doing and how we're going to achieve it."

Blakemore said serving on the IBHE has given him a better appreciation for higher education.

"I have been involved in the policy development for higher education,as a volunteer for years," he said. "That experience really has helped shape my understanding of colleges and universities and the state. It's helped shape my perspective of the importance of higher education."

Blakemore began his new position July 16, taking the reigns from Mark Brittingham. Brittingham had been acting as interim general counsel in place of former general counsel Peter Ruger since January. Blakemore's annual salary is $170, 000.

Blakemore said he has been shown nothing short of southern hospitality since his arrival and is excited to be in the position.

"I'm ecstatic," Blakemore said. "The chairman of the Board of Trustees, the president of the University, the chancellors; all of the people that I have met have been extremely welcoming. I feel very comfortable."