Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang is stepping down after a bit more than three years in office.
His final official day in office is Sunday, March 31.
During the March 22 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Huang said it was a good run and that he gave it his all.
“I know I was not perfect. But I did try hard. I worked hard. And I did not leave any stones unturned,” he said.
“I’m leaving with a clean conscience (and) with gratitude.”
Huang said he tried to find solutions to the many problems and challenges facing WIU.
“Some were solved, and many remain, but I have faith in the board, in the cabinet, in the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and legislators,” he said.
“No one single person can solve all of the problems. We need collaborative work, team work, hard work, and -- as my son would say -- smart work.”
Huang thanked the WIU Foundation and the governor’s office for supporting the university while he was president,
He also believes WIU now has improved town-gown relationships with Macomb and Moline.
Huang emphasized that his departure is voluntary. His wife teaches at Louisiana State University, and she has moved there with their daughter. He will soon join them there.
Huang said he has faith in Dr. Kristi Mindrup, who will become WIU’s interim president on Monday, April 1.
“She has been a very good colleague, a very good listener, and a good collaborator. She’s a thoughtful leader with good ideas. Kristi knows both campuses well, and that bodes well for the university,” Huang said.
Mindrup, who is Vice President of Operations for the Quad Cities campus, is the university’s senior vice president. She has worked at WIU for 27 years.
Board of Trustees Chairperson Carin Stutz thanked Huang for his service.
“We wish you well and we thank you so much for bringing integrity and strong character to our university. After all, reputation always matters,” she said.
Stutz also thanked Mindrup for stepping up and taking the reigns as Western’s interim president
She said Mindrup has the board’s full support.
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