Date: April 26, 2006
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: e-matanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, April 26, 2006 - Governors State University president Stuart Fagan has announced that he will step down from the presidency at the end of June, 2007.
Fagan said he intends to become more deeply involved in the debate over the future of public higher education in Illinois and the country, and actively support efforts to maintain, if not increase, the affordability and accessibility of public universities.
“I’ve been privileged to lead GSU since April 2000,” Fagan said. “GSU’s mission – to provide an accessible, affordable, demonstrably excellent education to all, including those traditionally underserved by higher education – is in line with my own values. Because of that, I’ve been able to come to the job each day for the past six years with passion and enthusiasm.”
As president, Fagan’s priorities have been to strengthen the university’s academic quality; promote access and accessibility to underserved populations; strengthen relationships with local community colleges; develop academic programs that respond to the needs of the region; ensure the financial health of the university; and establish GSU as an engine of economic growth for the region.
Bruce Friefeld, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “The Board has reluctantly accepted Dr. Fagan’s decision. We deeply appreciate his contributions to Governors State. Under his leadership, we raised the standard of academic excellence at GSU; introduced new academic programs; successfully developed new sources of funding; and built positive relationships with legislators in Springfield.”
Friefeld added, “We also appreciate the sincerity of his desire to move on and his passionate commitment to keep higher education accessible and affordable, especially to underserved populations.”
The Board of Trustees has begun the process of starting a national search for Fagan’s successor.
Fagan became president of Governors State University in April, 2000. Prior to that appointment, he served as provost and professor of political science at Roosevelt University; Campus Executive Officer, University Dean, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Farleigh Dickinson University; and assistant professor of political science and acting director of the Center of Latin American Studies at Columbia University.
