ISU’s 19th President bids farewell to the campus

Posted on June 28, 2021
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Illinois State University President Larry Dietz. (WJBC file photo)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Illinois State university’s 19th President is bidding farewell to the campus.

ISU President Larry Dietz, set to retire at the end of the month, served as ISU’s 19th President for seven years.

“We will be retiring at the end of June with mixed feelings. Very positive feelings about the institution and the experience that we’ve had here. The mixed part is that we will miss everybody, we will miss the people, but a great deal of gratitude to the faculty, the staff, the students, the community members, our alums, our corporate sponsors, and the list goes on and on and on,” added Larry Dietz.

As for retirement, Dietz says he and First Lady Marlene are staying in the Twin Cities and are looking forward to seeing Redbirds and ISU sporting events.

“This (has) been a huge blessing and honor to have been a part of this institution and to try to give back just a little bit the all that was given to us to be in this role,” said Marlene Dietz. “We’re grateful, we’re excited to be here, and continue to be Redbirds, and we’ll see you around at the ball games and the campus, and we love you all. Thanks for everything that you’ve done.”

Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy, ISU’s first female President, will replace Dietz on July 1.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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