Central State University
THURSDAY June 27, 1991
The Student Voice Since 1903
President Lillard retires CSU president makes surprise announcement
Search begins for Lillard's replacement
By Larry Rogers
By Larry Rogers
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
After 17 years as Central State University president, Bill J. Lillard announced Friday he will retire. Lillard made the surprise announcement at the monthly meeting of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. "Only one person knew of my decision before today, and that was my wife," Lillard said. The retirement will come next June at the end of the 1991-1992 fiscal year. "After 45 years in education, it is really hard for me to believe that I am saying this," Lillard said. "I realize I could have talked to some of you about this ahead of time, but I decided to do it this way so the whole board would know at the same time." Lillard said he had thought about this decision for the last four to six weeks and decided now was a good time to make the announcement. "I can do this with a clear conscience because the university has never been in a better situation," Lillard said. "That's the time to do this, when things are most positive." Lillard came to CSU in 1975 after serving Oklahoma City public schools for 30 years., He was district superintendent for nine years
The search will be on soon to replace retiring Central State University President Bill J. Lillard. Board of Regent's executive secretary Bette Leone said newlyelected board president Wayne Salisbury will determine the selection procedure for the new president. "Because of its (CSU's) size and complexity we want to make sure we have a large pool to select from," Salisbury said. The board will be looking for someone who has a national outlook with exposure in different parts of the country, Salisbury said. Past procedures have been to advertise the availability of the position and to appoint a campus screening committee composed of faculty, students, alumni, staff and regent board members to review applications, Leone said. The committee then presents to the board of regents a specified number of recommendations, and the board makes a final decision. "CSU has so much potential. With the right leadership, it's amazing what could happen. I'm really excited, and I'm really afraid," said Dr. Mary J. Nelson, president of CSU's chapter of the American Association of University Professors. V
Central State University's President Bill Lillard confers with colleagues after announcing his retirement at the regent's meeting last week. From left, Hans Brish, Cancellor and participated in the landmark discrimination lawsuit, Dowell vs. the Oklahoma City School Board. "I've been a participant in some very exciting times in education in Oklahoma," Lillard said. During Lillard's tenure, CSU's enrollment has grown to more than 14,500 students, and more than 30,000 students have earned degrees.
of Higher Education; Dr. Larry Williams, President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University/Durant; Lillard. (Photo by Daniel Smith)
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I can do this with a clear conscience because the university has never been in a better situation. —Bill Lillard CSU President
Lillard said after he retires he and his wife, Mary Helen, plan to do some world traveling. He also hopes to do some writing. "The Board of Regents will have no trouble fmding a competent replacement to become president of CSU," Lillard said. "Their problem will be to select among the many qualified applicants for the position." V
Walters appoints communications director CSU alumnus Gean B. Atkinson selected for newly created position By Sam Powell
Editor in chief
Gov. David Walters has appointed Central State University alumnus and Desert Storm veteran Gean B. Atkinson as his new director of communications. Atkinson said he will attempt to make some positive changes in the press office to facilitate the flow of information. "One of the things we're going to try to do is structure the office a little more, to give the added capability to be able to respond a little quicker," Atkinson said. "We will institute some systems that will allow us to operate a little more efficiently, an extra person will help
add to the capability to respond to queries quicker." Atkinson said he will coordinate press, issue research and handle other communication needs for the governor's office. An official from the governor's office said Atkinson's job will be to oversee press secretary Bill Crain and public communications coordinator L.D. Barney. In addition, to Atkinson, Crain and Barney, Walters' press office includes Jeff Kaufman and Valerie Stahl. Atkinson is no stranger to politics. He was a Republican member of the state House of Representatives representing Edmond and part of northwest Oklahoma City from 1980 to 1984. He was president of Atkinson
Advertising Associates Inc., from 1975 to 1986. He said his experience in public relations has been heavily influenced by advertising. "In Oklahoma especially, you can't segregate the two," Atkinson said. "Advertising and PR are intrinsically tied together. We have always done a certain degree of public relations for our clients in addition to handling their advertising." For the next three years he was director of communications for Express Services, and from October 1989 to October 1990 he was president of Dividend Service Corp. Both Dividend and Express are personnel agencies. Atkinson recently returned to
Oklahoma after heading one of the three joint information bureaus for Desert Storm. He was responsible for the only Desert Storm joint information bureau located outside of Saudi Arabia. His duties involved coordinating the activities of the media covering U.S. forces throughout the United Arab Emirates, and censoring information which may have been classified for security reasons. Atkinson received a bachelor's degree from CSU in 1967 and a master's in 1977. Atkinson said he intends to make his job as Walter's communication director his primary occupation, aside from his duties as a Navy Reserve Officer. "That's all I'll do," Atkinson said. V
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