EIU Media Relations

Board of Trustees Extends EIU President Lou Hencken's Contract

Undecided as to whether he wanted to continue as president of Eastern Illinois University, Lou Hencken was advised by his fellow university presidents to ask himself one question - "Do you enjoy what you're doing?"

"And when I asked myself that, the answer was a definite yes," Hencken said.

Thus, with the enthusiastic president looking on, Eastern Illinois University 's Board of Trustees on Monday officially extended Hencken's contract by one year - from June 30, 2006 , to June 30, 2007.

"We're so pleased that President Hencken has consented to a contract extension," said board chair Julie Nimmons. "He has the full support of the board of trustees. The university community is being directed well."

"I've certainly enjoyed my time as president at Eastern Illinois University," Hencken said, "and I've enjoyed working with an outstanding board and an excellent team of administrators, faculty, staff and students.

"This extension will allow us another couple of years in which to continue our work together to further accomplish the goals of the university."

Hencken recalled that the board had first approached him in November 2004 about the possibility of a contract extension. His response was to ask for time with which to consider the proposition, he said.

By the end of March, however, he was ready with his answer.

"I took several factors into consideration," Hencken said. "Included in those were the outstanding response we've been receiving through Eastern's "You Are EIU" fund-raising campaign and the glowing report we received following the North Central Association's re-accreditation visit in February. I want to continue to build on those two successes.

"And there are several building projects - including the renovation and expansion of both Blair Hall and the Doudna Fine Arts Center - that I would like to see through to completion."

In addition, Hencken said he wants to see Eastern implement a nursing program, as well as a service learning program for its students.

Hencken, 60, has served as the university's top administrator since Aug. 1, 2001, when President Carol D. Surles resigned due to health reasons.

The university conducted a nationwide search, beginning in the fall of 2001, but the outcome was unsuccessful. The search was scheduled to resume in the fall of 2003; however, concerns were raised over the wisdom of seeking a new president before state revenues stabilized and while Eastern was in the midst of preparing for its 10-year re-accreditation review. Trustees decided on Sept. 30, 2003, to offer Hencken an extended contract and postpone the search for an additional two years.

In total, Hencken has served Eastern through a variety of administrative positions for nearly 40 years, having begun his career at the university in student affairs as a graduate assistant. He advanced through the housing ranks as a counselor and both assistant and associate director prior to being selected as director in 1975.

In 1989, he was named associate vice president for student affairs, assuming responsibility for three new student affairs areas besides housing.

His duties continued to expand in 1992, when he was named vice president for student affairs with responsibility for 19 student affairs areas employing 550 civil service and administrative employees and more than 1,500 student employees and a combined operating budget of $50 million.

He and his wife, Mary Kay, a retired business education teacher at Charleston High School, reside in Charleston.