November 18, 2010
Gary Minish named provost-senior vice chancellor
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng today (Nov. 18) announced the appointment of Gary L. Minish as provost and senior vice chancellor.
Cheng selected Minish from among four finalists. His appointment, effective Dec. 15, is subject to ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees.
“Dr. Minish’s record of achievement, his scholarship and his leadership abilities will serve our University well,” Cheng said. “He understands our challenges and our strengths, and I am confident he will bring innovative ideas to this leadership role in academic affairs. I look forward to working with him to move our institution forward.”
He will replace Don S. Rice, who has served as interim provost and vice chancellor since 2006.
Minish served as dean of SIUC’s College of Agricultural Sciences and professor of animal science, food and nutrition from 2004 until his retirement earlier this year.
He said he is “excited and humbled” by his appointment as the campus’ chief academic officer, and expressed appreciation to Cheng, the search committee, faculty, staff, students and stakeholders.
“I am confident that together we can address the challenges and opportunities necessary to take this outstanding student-centered research university to the next level and make it the destination for learning and innovation,” he said.
Cheng expressed her appreciation to Rice for his service. She also thanked the search committee, headed by College of Science Associate Dean Laurie Achenbach, for its work in narrowing the national search to four well-qualified candidates, as well as to members of the campus community for participating in the selection process.
Minish was born in Laramie, Wyo., and raised on a beef cattle and grain farm in Iowa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University and his doctoral degree in animal science from Michigan State University.
He was a professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from 1974 to 1976 and from 1977 to 2001. He also served there as assistant dean and assistant director of resident instruction from 1984 to 1986; director of development and director of agriculture technology from 1986 to 1988; and as department head of animal and poultry sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from 1994 to 2001.
Minish served as the 2007-2008 president of the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources and on the policy board of directors for the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) from 2005 to 2010. In 2009, he received the “Outstanding Leadership Award” from the American Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. He currently resides in Makanda with his wife Roberta.