Dr. Randy J. Dunn visited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Thursday on his first official day as President of Southern Illinois University. View the video here.
“This is my dream job, being president of the SIU system,” Dunn said at a press conference in the Morris University Center Mississippi/Illinois Rooms. “I’m a native of Illinois, and I really love this state. For me, it’s coming home.”
Dunn, who replaces outgoing SIU President Glenn Poshard, is the eighth president of the system. Poshard will retire from SIU effective June 30 and will serve in an advisory role to Dunn until that time. Poshard served as SIU President for eight years.
Dunn came to SIU after serving as president of Youngstown (Ohio) State University since July 2013. He was selected after a five-month national search.
The new president told reporters that he will continue the progress made by his predecessor.
Dunn noted a few strategic points that he has in mind for SIU:
• Expand the building and renovation projects
• Continue outreach in the region and help improve the quality of life
• Continue operational effectiveness
In providing more detail, Dunn added, “The best universities are good stewards of the places they serve. Our defining mark is how we are linked to this region.”
The new president said he will support SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe’s goals to make advances by working to provide more resources and raising funds.
The SIU system has good stories to tell about positively impacting the lives of students, the community and the region, Dunn said. In continuing to tell those stories, the new president believes it will build more support for the two campuses.
“I love the footprint of this system,” Dunn said. “Great state universities are integrated with the region they serve, and it is no truer than at SIU.”
The new president started his day at SIUE with student leaders, followed by a campus tour and meeting with the SIUE Chancellor’s Council. After Dunn’s press conference, he and his contingent traveled to SIU Carbondale.
For more information about Dunn, visit southernillinois.edu/pres/biography.
Photo: Dr. Randy J. Dunn, Southern Illinois University president, began official duties May 1.