Former U.S. Congressman Glenn Poshard was introduced Friday in Carbondale as the next President of Southern Illinois Univesity, succeeding retiring President James Walker. (CEASAR MARAGNI/THE SOUTHERN)

President Poshard: Former U.S. representative tapped to succeed Walker

BY CALEB HALE
THE SOUTHERN

CARBONDALE - The not-so-surprising announcement from Southern Illinois University Friday was the board of trustees has unanimously chosen Glenn Poshard to be SIU's next president.

Speculation and educated guesses placed the former U.S. representative, retired Carbondale campus administrator and former university board chairman as the successor to current SIU President James Walker days before the board made its announcement.

Poshard was the only candidate ever to announce he was applying for the job. He resigned as chairman of the board in June, before trustees began a national search that kept all applicant names secret.

SIU board Chairman Roger Tedrick said make no mistake, though, Poshard stood out among the 40 candidates considered as a "uniquely qualified individual, who not only knows where SIU has been, but where it would like to go."

Poshard indicated his two interviews with the board were no cakewalk. He said he closely studied all current issues affecting higher education to prepare for the process. As an aside, the former gubernatorial candidate said he kept out of university business and conversations with board members since the search began.

"I didn't want somebody to give me this job; I wanted to earn it," Poshard said during the public announcement held in the SIUC Communications Building.

Harold Bardo, Presidential Search Advisory Committee chairman, said Poshard showed he was a capable candidate among the many people who applied.

"I think the board made a clear, uncluttered charge for the committee to select the best qualified candidates, wherever we could find them," Bardo said.

Poshard will take over as president Jan. 1. He will be paid a base salary of $292,000, the same amount of money currently being paid to Walker.

The public unveiling of SIU's choice descended into a minor bit of chaos in the days leading up to the announcement. The board originally intended to reveal its choice Thursday, but because Poshard was hospitalized late Wednesday night and not released until 7 a.m. the next day, officials moved the announcement until Monday. The move, however, only ramped up speculation and kept Poshard's phone ringing off the hook, he said. The university then decided Friday was the best time to make its choice known.

Poshard was hospitalized for a recurring heart condition, atrial fibrillation. The condition, which causes irregular heartbeats from time to time, has affected him since 1998, he said, adding he has only had three episodes in the past five years.

"Of all the things in the world (Wednesday night) I walked into the kitchen, took a big cold drink of water and it (his heart) went right out of rhythm," Poshard said.

Atrial fibrillation affects millions of people in the United States, he noted, including former President George H.W. Bush, who had it while he was in the White House.

Tedrick admitted the condition worried him at first, but he's since learned Poshard is fine to lead the SIU system.

"I presented a letter from my doctor explaining what this is and that it does not affect my ability to be president of SIU," Poshard said.

Not only is his heart healthy enough for it; Poshard said his heart is completely devoted to the future of the university.

"My energy and my focus are totally going to be on leading this system," he said. "It can't be anywhere else."

In the same breath, Poshard said his wife, Jo, will assume directorship over the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children when he takes over as SIU president.

When asked, Jo Poshard said she only retired from her teaching career in May, so she is used to a busy schedule.

"This also relates to the needs of children," she said. "It's what I've spent most of my life doing in the classroom, so it's a good transition for me."

Jo said she still will consult with her husband on some items as she takes over the office.

Poshard's Jan. 1 start date coincides with Walker's intended return to work. The president has been on medical leave this semester. He planned to retire June 30, 2006.

Tedrick said the details of the transition have yet to be worked out because of Walker's medical condition.

More about SIU's next leader

A look at former U.S. representative and onetime Democratic candidate for governor Glenn Poshard, introduced Friday as the new president of the Southern Illinois University system.

AGE: 60, born in Herald (White County) on Oct. 30, 1945.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1962, bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1970, master's degree in educational administration in 1974 and doctorate in administration of higher education in 1984. All the degrees were from SIU Carbondale.

RELIGION: Baptist.

MILITARY: Army, 1962-65.

POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House of Representatives, 19th District of Illinois, 1989-98; Illinois Senate, 1984-89. Lost gubernatorial race to Republican George Ryan in 1998.

PROFESSIONAL: Director of the Southern Illinois Regional Education Service Center and the Area Service Center for Educators of the Gifted

AT SIU: Served four years as vice chancellor at the SIU Carbondale campus before stepping down from that post in 2003. Named to board of trustees in January 2004, then reappointed to a second term that was to expire in 2011. Stepped down from board in June to seek SIU's presidency.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Taught and coached at Galatia and Thompsonville high schools (1970-74)

Co-founded with wife, Jo, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children in 1999

Appointed chair of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board in 2004.