ISU president delivers State of the University Address

Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy delivered her second State of the University Address Tuesday at the Center for the Performing Arts. (Twitter/Illinois State)

By WJBC Staff and 25 News

NORMAL – Illinois State University President Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy outlined the future steps for the university during the school’s annual State of the University speech.

One of those new plans is to hire a Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to be the center point of collaboration and creative thinking.

Dr. Doris Houston, a former assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion, and Milner Library Dean Dallas Long will lead the search for a new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to be in place by the summer of 2023.

This week, students, faculty, and staff are receiving a survey to determine the university’s current standing on diversity.

Next five years a time of change at ISU

By 2027, Kinzy said students will be attending ISU’s new College of Engineering. Also, there will be a new 1200 bed residence hall and 700 seat dining center on south campus, plus a Fine Arts complex.

Kinzy indicated she would like to see donors come forward with large-enough gifts that some day their names will be affixed to some of the university’s new facilities.

“We’re looking for more names of those committed to investing in students and the university by boldly placing their names on buildings, halls, rooms, and centers,” Kinzy said.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…