Video from today’s installation of SIUE’s 8th Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville installed its 8th Chancellor Friday, Dr. Julie Furst-Bowe. Pictured are Chancellor Furst-Bowe, left, and SIU President Glenn Poshard. Poshard is placing the “Chancellor’s Chain” around Furst-Bowe’s neck. The medallion lists her name, as well as the names of all past presidents and chancellors of SIUE.
The culmination to a week of activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville highlighting global awareness, diversity, inclusion and faculty research, and capturing the essence of all the institution’s programs and schools, saw the installation of the University’s 8th leader, Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe on Friday.
The theme for the week leading up to the ceremony was “Planning for Our Global Future.” Before a n enthusiastic crowd of more than 600 people in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom, Furst-Bowe talked about the importance of shaping global citizens as one of SIUE’s core values. She also spoke about expanding the campus international travel programs and bringing more students from other countries to study at SIUE.
Faculty and staff members donned regalia, marched in a procession, with Furst-Bowe and SIU President Glenn Poshard. Other attendees included students, area leaders and dignitaries. Attendees from Furst-Bowe’s prior institutions, the University of Wisconsin-Stout and UW-Eau Clair, as well as personal friends, mentors and family members joined in the celebration.
Edwardsville Mayor Gary Niebur spoke fondly of his nearly 20-year relationship with the University as the city’s mayor, saying, “I could not be prouder that Edwardsville is home to this premier institution.”
He talked about his personal history with the institution, having three daughters graduate through the SIU system and a son on the way to SIU Carbondale this fall. “I’m proud—and relieved—to report that all three have great jobs in their chosen professions and bright futures ahead of them.”
SIUE Interim Provost Ann Boyle, who acted as the ceremony’s emcee, introduced Poshard to the crowd, saying, “He is a tireless advocate for our University at the local, state and national levels.”
When Poshard approached the podium, he presented Furst-Bowe with “the Chancellors Chain,” which is a medallion listing her name, as well as the names of past presidents and chancellors. He explained the chain is a symbolic reminder of the institution’s accomplishments as well as the challenges to come.
“As president of SIU, I welcome you as a partner in this great adventure. We recognize your personal and professional commitment. I hope that this chain will guide, enlighten and inspire you for years to come,” Poshard said and placed the medallion around Furst-Bowe’s neck.
“It is a great honor to be installed as the 8th Chancellor of SIUE,” Furst-Bowe said, noting that there are numerous challenges ahead. She cited the state’s various financial challenges. She noted the institution’s state commitment has fallen from 46 percent of its overall budget to 22 percent during the last decade.
In the face of these fiscal challenges, Furst-Bowe talked about the need to expand online course offerings and programs to meet the needs of traditional students and working adults. She noted, “We are the most affordable (4-year university) in the state. We’ve been forced to increase tuition.
“The entire country is becoming concerned about the increase in college student loan debt,” Furst-Bowe said. “Facing these challenges will require faculty, staff, students and administrators to work together with high levels of communication, trust and teamwork.
“We must continue to advance university priorities, yet at the same time examine ways to reduce costs,” she said. “We must also continue to enhance our revenue streams through increased enrollments, expanded fundraising—particularly in the area of scholarships for students, and increased grants and contract activity.”
Furst-Bowe reported the University already has increased its research funding during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2013 with more than $5 million raised.
“This number represents a significant increase over the first six months of Fiscal Year 2012,” she said. “Of course, numbers only tell part of a story. But they do speak volumes about the ability of our faculty and staff in our academic departments, our library and our research centers to develop successful proposals that further the goals of the campus.”
The presidents of the Faculty and Staff senates, Rhonda Comrie, associate professor of primary care and health systems nursing, and Keith Becherer, assistant director of campus recreation, respectively, warmly welcomed the new chancellor.
Student Body President Erik Zimmerman recalled a recent trip with student leaders to Lobby Day in Springfield. “I was immediately impressed with how involved she is with students and committed to student engagement,” he said. “During Lobby Day, she was right there alongside the students expressing our institution’s values of openness, diversity and inclusion.
Furst-Bowe quoted Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African President Nelson Mandela, saying, “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor; that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine; and that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
The SIUE Steel Drum Band and the SIUE Choir performed as part of the celebration, which ended with a light reception in the Goshen Lounge.
Furst-Bowe, who was introduced as the 8th Chancellor of the University by Poshard on April 26, 2012, succeeded Dr. Vaughn Vandegrift who retired after a successful, eight-year tenure.
Video from each of the activities that happened on campus as part of installation week is available on the chancellor’s installation website.