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Dr. Richard Herman
I arrived at Illinois in 1998 knowing it as a great institution. What makes a place great of course is its people and its culture-in this case a culture of excellence. Coming from outside, I was determined to meet its leaders and fortunately for me, and I would argue for the institution, I met Bob Easter, who was then department head of Animal Sciences. I learned a lot from him about the land-grant tradition, what it meant to retain it and how much more it could be made to lie at the heart of Illinois. Bob’s passion was contagious. In the ensuing years I had the pleasure of appointing Bob as dean and then provost but what I really want to convey is that over that time period, the university became a much more engaged institution, more engaged with the state, more engaged with the private sector and more engaged internationally-keeping –if you will-the public in public university. Bob played an enormous role in this because of his unerring sense of quality, of the future and the mission of the university. He is a good listener and someone who understands that leadership is a team sport. Indeed, the presidential historian Richard Neustadt wrote that the power of the presidency is the power to persuade! Bob understands this and it has contributed greatly to his effectiveness. Susan and I are most pleased to count Bob and Cheryl as our friends. Please help me welcome to the podium a great leader President Designate, Bob Easter. |
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