April 27, 2007

Dunn named Western Michigan president

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees today (April 27) named John M. Dunn, currently interim chancellor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as its eighth president.

Dunn, interim chancellor at SIUC since last November, will remain in that role through June 30.

Following the vote in Kalamazoo, WMU board Chair Daniel Pero said, "Dr. Dunn is the right choice at the right time to lead WMU. He is energetic and experienced. He has earned a reputation as a consensus builder. And, he is committed to making the student experience at WMU the best in Michigan and the country."

WMU is Michigan's fourth-largest higher education institution with an enrollment of 25,000 students.

Dunn described his time at SIUC as "a very positive and memorable experience."

"Linda and I have enjoyed being part of SIUC and the community," Dunn said. "I have the highest regard for SIUC, its students, faculty and staff. I treasure the relationships I have forged at SIUC, relationships that can only come from working and interacting with top-quality people. My goal is to continue assisting SIUC in my future endeavors as president of Western Michigan University and, of course, I will always carry with me that special, unique experience known as 'Saluki Pride.' ''

He called WMU "an excellent institution with a history of significant growth and development contributing to its current status as a major research university."

An educator for more than 30 years, Dunn became SIUC's provost and vice chancellor in 2002.

Four finalists for SIUC chancellor are visiting the campus for interviews and open forums over the next couple of weeks. They are: John H. Frederick, executive vice president and provost, University of Nevada, Reno; Sue Kiefer Hammersmith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Yash P. Gupta, professor of operations management, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California; and Fernando M. Treviño, dean of the School of Public Health, the University of North Texas Science Center in Fort Worth.

Dunn was not a candidate for the permanent appointment.

SIU President Glenn Poshard plans to announce his choice for chancellor in May and present the recommendation to the Board of Trustees at its June 14 meeting.