A new website will keep alumni and other Illinois State community members updated on the search process for the University’s next president.

Al Bowman, Illinois State’s 17th president, announced in December he would retire after serving the University for 34 years, the last 10 as president. A search committee to find President Bowman’s successor is now being formed with broad representation from the campus community, including faculty, staff, and students, as well as representatives from the Alumni Association, ISU Foundation and Athletics.

A new website, www.IllinoisState.edu/PresidentialSearch, has been created to keep the University community updated on the search process. Visitors will see when names of new search committee members are added; find news updates throughout the search; see dates, times and locations when finalists will be on campus; and be given opportunities to offer input.

“The selection process for Illinois State’s 18th president is critically important to every University stakeholder, so it’s important everyone can see how the process unfolds,” said Illinois State University Chief of Staff Jay Groves. “Although the search committee will do a great deal of work, we want people to be able to follow the process and have the opportunity to contribute their thoughts as the selection moves forward.”

Illinois State Board of Trustees Chairperson Michael McCuskey said he hopes the search process can be completed in time to bring the next president to campus by the beginning of the fall 2013 semester.