News

Candidate for Bradley University president to meet with community leaders

Posted August 01, 2007 11:00 pm

CLARE JELLICK

The Bradley University presidential candidate who will be introduced to local leaders next week will also separately meet with faculty and likely with students, a member of the search committee said Wednesday.

"If there was no meeting for students I would throw a small fit. If there was no meeting for faculty and staff, I would throw a big fit," said Sam Fan, president of the University Senate and an associate professor in biology.

Fan called the male candidate an "individual of interest" and would not rule out the possibility of other candidates coming to town. He said the person will be in town during the weekend, likely to stay at least through Monday.

The candidate will attend two receptions to meet local leaders on Monday, a different day than previously stated in the Journal Star. One will be at the Country Club of Peoria, and one will be at the home of Gerald Shaheen, the chairman of the presidential search committee.

Fan would offer no details about who the candidate is or where he comes from but said, "I'm enthusiastic about this candidate."

He said there are several strong applicants, and the one coming to town would have his approval for the president position, "among others."

"At least it's looking good," Fan said.

David Broski officially vacated the post at the end of June.

Fan said he's "absolutely certain" the candidate will meet with faculty next week. He said it's likely he will also meet with students. These meetings have not been scheduled, Fan said.

"I don't think the (board of) trustees would make a decision without some input from the faculty and staff and students. That's just not the way Bradley does things," Fan said.

Bradley officials have been tight-lipped about the candidate and his trip to Peoria. Kathy Fuller, assistant vice president for university relations, has referred all calls regarding the presidential search to Shaheen, and Shaheen has only said that a candidate will be here.

On campus Wednesday afternoon, Bradley student May Zeid said students deserve more information. She also said it's important for her and others to meet the candidate before he leaves.

At the time of her interview, there was no indication that students would be involved.

"As a student of Bradley University I'm very interested to know about the candidate. There has to be more information about the candidate," said Zeid, a senior pre-med and psychology major.

Community members invited to one of the two Monday events include U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria; state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria; state Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria; Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis; Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy; Jim McConoughey, president of The Heartland Partnership; and Peoria 2nd District Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken.

Clare Jellick can be reached at (309) 686-3112 or cjellick@pjstar.com.

Article Categories
News