ISU begins paying tribute to departing president

By Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE April 17, 2008 11:50 pm

— On Thursday, the Indiana State University community began paying tribute to departing president Lloyd Benjamin, who has just 21⁄2 months remaining in his tenure as president.
The university conducted a program and reception to honor Benjamin and his wife, Wieke. The couple received a number of gifts and plaques recognizing their contributions to ISU and the Terre Haute community.
Benjamin was praised for helping redefine ISU’s role in Indiana higher education, particularly with the emergence of the community college system.
He guided the university’s strategic plan, the Path to Pre-Eminence, with an emphasis on experiential learning and recruitment of students who are better prepared academically.
Through Benjamin’s leadership, ISU has “redefined how we deliver education on this campus,” said Provost Jack Maynard.
Others praised Benjamin for his emphasis on international education and international partnerships; improved town-gown relations with the Terre Haute community; his fundraising and efforts to secure external funding, such as through the Lilly Endowment; new and renovated facilities and campus beautification; creation of scholarships that help bring the best and brightest students to campus; and his support of the arts.
The president’s job involves working with some of the most intelligent people in the world, which has its downside, Maynard said. “Each of us know more than you do, and we think we can do your job better,” he quipped.
Kelly Hall, chairwoman of the support staff council, fought tears as she spoke about the departing president.
Benjamin and his administration “have been a champion for support staff issues … He has created a change in the culture of the university to recognize support staff contributions,” Hall said.
Virgil Sheets, chairman of the ISU Faculty Senate, told the president “you’re leaving ISU a better place than when you came.”
John Newton, director of alumni affairs, has often traveled with the Benjamins to visit alumni across the country. “For eight years, they have been the face and voice of ISU,” he said. “They have represented us exceedingly well.”
Gregg Floyd, vice president for business affairs who spoke on behalf of the president’s cabinet, told the couple, “You will always occupy a special place in our hearts.” The cabinet gave the president a set of golf clubs as a gift.
Other presents presented by different groups included an original sculpture, luggage, a video iPod and a watercolor painting.
Wieke Benjamin, who has been active in the community and at ISU, thanked those who helped make her time at ISU an enjoyable one.
But she also noted she gave up her career to support her husband’s presidency, and she is ready to play some other role. “I’m ready to undertake something that maybe gives me … a place of my own.”
Lloyd Benjamin said he and his wife have accomplished a lot at ISU and in Terre Haute, “and we are both interested in new challenges in our lives.”
He told the Tirey Hall audience, “You’d be hard-pressed to find another university in the United States … that has gone through as much change as we have” in a short period of time.
“We had to literally keep ISU alive and independent,” he said.
He believes exciting days are ahead for ISU, “but there also are dangers.” Higher education leaders at the state level may have a vision for ISU that the ISU community does not share.
“The road is not necessarily looking easier,” Benjamin said. “I think it may become even more contentious as the state must do more and more and probably has to do it with less and less.”
In an interview, Benjamin said he and his wife are still deciding their plans. “We are exploring a number of options. Over the course of this coming year, we’ll be making some decisions about what it is we want to do,” he said.
As part of his contract, he will receive a paid sabbatical, which serves as a transition period — consistent with what past ISU presidents have received.
“That will typically take one to other places, and part of our interest is with international things,” Benjamin said.
“I think the university is well positioned for the future. I think whoever comes in will inherit a wonderful institution and the opportunity to work with great people in a community we hope will continue to grow and prosper,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin announced last June that he would step aside as ISU president at the end of his contract on June 30. He has been president since July 1, 2000.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.