President White gives in to scandal's pressures
Aaron Geiger
Issue date: 9/23/09 Section: News
CHICAGO -Embattled University of Illinois President B. Joseph White has told trustees he will step down at the end of the year.
In a letter to the board Wednesday, White said he will resign effective Dec. 31, but plans to remain involved with the university through fundraising and teaching.
White submitted his letter of resignation Board of Trustees Chair Christopher G. Kennedy, who accepted it for consideration by the full board.
White, 62, has served as president of the university since January 2005 but has been dogged the last several months by an admissions scandal.
White had earlier informed Gov. Pat Quinn of his decision. "I think it's time to move forward, our university to continue to move on," the governor said.
"I think President White is doing what's best for the university and I think the people of Illinois are grateful to him," Quinn continued. "I commend him for taking steps necessary to move the university forward."
Quinn said the board will select an interim president "shortly" to steer the school while it conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
"I think it's important a new president is someone who can inspire confidence, who has integrity, has a commitment to students and teaching," Quinn said. "I also think it's important to be able to get the resources for the university from the federal government, from private endowments."
Kennedy, speaking before the letter was submitted, praised White for his years in public service.
"I don't take any joy or pleasure in President White's resignation," Kennedy said. "I think it's a terrible toll this process has had on a lot of people. I think the choice to go into a public life which is the life of a university president of a university system that's as large as the University of Illinois puts him at great risk. He took that risk to serve other people and, you know, he's suffering for it now. But I think very highly of him and wish him well in whatever he does."
In a letter to the board Wednesday, White said he will resign effective Dec. 31, but plans to remain involved with the university through fundraising and teaching.
White submitted his letter of resignation Board of Trustees Chair Christopher G. Kennedy, who accepted it for consideration by the full board.
White, 62, has served as president of the university since January 2005 but has been dogged the last several months by an admissions scandal.
White had earlier informed Gov. Pat Quinn of his decision. "I think it's time to move forward, our university to continue to move on," the governor said.
"I think President White is doing what's best for the university and I think the people of Illinois are grateful to him," Quinn continued. "I commend him for taking steps necessary to move the university forward."
Quinn said the board will select an interim president "shortly" to steer the school while it conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
"I think it's important a new president is someone who can inspire confidence, who has integrity, has a commitment to students and teaching," Quinn said. "I also think it's important to be able to get the resources for the university from the federal government, from private endowments."
Kennedy, speaking before the letter was submitted, praised White for his years in public service.
"I don't take any joy or pleasure in President White's resignation," Kennedy said. "I think it's a terrible toll this process has had on a lot of people. I think the choice to go into a public life which is the life of a university president of a university system that's as large as the University of Illinois puts him at great risk. He took that risk to serve other people and, you know, he's suffering for it now. But I think very highly of him and wish him well in whatever he does."
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