SIU Trustees select Roger Tedrick to chair board

The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees met in special session Monday, June 20 and appointed Roger Tedrick of Mt. Vernon to fill the vacancy created by Glenn Poshard's resignation. The Board also approved the initiation of a national search for the new President of SIU and the creation of a Presidential Search Advisory Committee, whose responsibilities would include advising the Board of Trustees in its selection of the next president. Dr. Keith Sanders was appointed by the Board to serve as the Board’s liaison to the committee and be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the search.

Roger Tedrick

Poshard, a member of the board since January 2004, resigned June 16 and will apply for SIU president.

"Without question, Jim Walker and Glenn Poshard are irreplaceable, but this Board has a duty to the SIU community to move forward diligently and expeditiously to find the individuals that can carry their good work forward," commented Board Vice Chairman Ed Hightower. "Today, we have begun that process with the selection of Roger Tedrick as the new SIU Board of Trustees Chairman," Hightower continued.

Hightower, one of the Board's longest serving members, announced prior to Tedrick's selection that his responsibilities as superintendent of Edwardsville schools, his frequent weekend travel schedule as an NCAA Division 1 referee, and other professional and personal commitments precluded him from being a candidate for Board Chair at this time.

"The commitment and passion that Chairman Poshard demonstrated in leading this Board is shared by Trustee Tedrick," stated Hightower. "It is with great enthusiasm that this Board unanimously supports Roger's selection as Board Chairman," Hightower concluded.

Tedrick, president of Tedrick Insurance in Mt. Vernon, was appointed to the SIU Board of Trustees by Gov. Rod Blagojevich on February 6, 2004. He currently serves as chair of the Board's Finance Committee. Tedrick, a graduate of SIU Carbondale, is a long-time supporter of the University. He is a past member of the SIU Foundation Board and is a past member of the SIU Alumni Association Board. He co-chaired the Undergraduate Academics Committee for Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, SIUC's long-range plan. He has also represented alumni and friends of the University on many high-level searches for the Carbondale campus. He lives in Mount Vernon with his wife, Sally. They have two grown daughters, Lori and Sarah, and two grandsons. Tedrick takes control of the Board at time when the Board must select a new President for the SIU system.

"I fully understand the moment in time in which I have been selected to lead this Board. I am honored and humbled by the Board's confidence in me," Tedrick said.

The Board officially moved on several items related to the selection of the next president including; approval of a national search for the next SIU President, the appointment of Dr. Keith Sanders to lead the Board’s presidential search process, and the creation of a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to be made up of various constituent groups on each campus.

“Today the Board has approved a national search for the next president of SIU, culminating in a decision by this Board no later than December," Tedrick said.

To insure compliance with statutes related to minority and women participation, as well as the participation of the various constituent groups on each campus, the Board also approved the creation of a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to assist the Board in its decision. The Board appointed Dr. Keith Sanders to serve as the Boards liaison to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, as well as be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the search.

"Dr. Sanders’ vast administrative experience in higher education makes him uniquely qualified to take a leading role in the Board's search for a new president," Tedrick commented. "I intend to work diligently with Dr. Sanders, the Board, and the advisory committee in the selection of the next president," Tedrick concluded.

Dr. Sanders, appointed to the SIU Board of Trustees in December 2004, has decades of professional experience in higher education administration. His accomplishments include serving as the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education from 1998 to 2002, various appointments in the University of Wisconsin system from 1989 to 1997, dean of the former College of Communication and Fine Arts at SIU Carbondale from 1983 to 1989 and professor in communications at SIUC from 1967 to 1989. Sanders, originally from Benton, and now living in Spring Grove, holds two degrees from SIU.

-- David Gross