Glassman Named EIU President

(INCOMING EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DAVID GLASSMAN IS FLANKED BY EASTERN'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN KRISTOPHER GOETZ AND TRUSTEE JOE DIVELEY, WHO CHAIRED THE SEARCH COMMITTEE AS THEY PRESENT GLASSMAN THE T-SHIRT EACH INCOMING STUDENT RECEIVES FROM THE UNIVERSITY)

David M. Glassman is the next president of Eastern Illinois University.

The 61-year-old Glassman was hired by the EIU Board of Trustees Monday afternoon. Glassman will succeed Bill Perry, who is departing as president May 31 after serving since 2007.

Dr. Glassman is currently serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bradley University in Peoria.

EIU Board Chairman Kristopher Goetz said Glassman's energy and enthusiasm were keys in his being hired, but also his "clear vision for the future of Eastern." Goetz and selection committee chairman and Board member Joe Diveley mentioned Glassman's "preparedness" for the position.

As to what attracted him to Eastern, Glassman said it was the emotion he witnessed during his on-site interviews in January. He said after his time on campus, he said, "I hope I get this one."

Goetz said being from Illinois, Glassman understands the challenges higher education faces in the state, particularly enrollment and finances. Governor Bruce Rauner's budget suggests a 30% cut in funding for four year schools. Declining enrollment has also been a concern.

Glassman suggested that public university presidents need to present a united front in seeking funds from Springfield. Meanwhile, Goetz thinks Glassman's experience at a private university is a positive thing. He said, 'The funding model has been changing; Eastern can no longer rely on state appropriations as its major funding source. As a private institution, Bradley already relies on funding based on tuition. We believe Dr.Glassman will be able to help us in that transition."

Concerning enrollment, Glassman said the university needs to more positively promote its "brand" in being as attractive as possible to prospective students.

Diveley noted that Glassman and the other three finalists were all in the middle of the interview process on other campuses, as well as Eastern.

There won't be any downtime for Glassman as he changes positions and campuses; he plans to work at Bradley through May 31 and will take over as EIU President the next day. He mentioned that if his schedule permits, he'd like to teach a course every other year or so.

Glassman taught in the Anthropology Department at Texas State University for 19 years, then worked as a professor and dean at Southern Indiana in Evansville for six years before heading to Bradley in 2010.