The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved appointments to fill key campus leadership positions and passed two measures related to important capital projects.
The new administrators fill academic leadership positions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS).
The board appointed Jantzen Eddington as dean of students at Springfield. Eddington has served in that role in a designate capacity since June 16. He was previously the community standards and student conduct code coordinator at UIS. Eddington has a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Valparaiso University, a master’s in education from McKendree University, and a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law.
The board also extended the appointment of James D. Anderson as dean of the College of Education at Urbana-Champaign through Aug. 15, 2022. Anderson was first appointed dean in August 2017, effective through Aug. 15, 2020. Anderson is a professor of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership; the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor of History of American Education in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership; a professor of African-American Studies; a professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and a professor in the College of Law.
The board also voted to appoint Gene E. Robinson as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) at Urbana-Champaign, effective July 24. Robinson is director of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at Urbana-Champaign; the Swanlund Chair in Entomology in the School of Integrative Biology in LAS; Center for Advanced Study Professor in Entomology and Neuroscience; and director of the Bee Research Facility.
Finally, the board appointed UIC Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Marc A. VanOverbeke as interim dean of the university’s College of Education, effective July 24. He has served in that role in a designate capacity since June 16. VanOverbeke is also an associate professor of Educational Policy Studies in the College of Education.
The capital measures approved by the board included awarding a $10 million contract to F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates of Chicago for the construction of a two-story atrium and lobby for the University of Illinois Hospital. The project, which was approved last November, will establish a primary entry point for the hospital on West Taylor Street in Chicago. Construction is expected to begin in October and finish in July 2022.
The board also voted to amend a contract with HNTB Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., for the design of the expansion of the Ubben Basketball Complex at Urbana-Champaign. The project includes a new south addition with space for coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and a recruiting lounge; a north addition to provide areas for sports medicine, strength training and locker rooms; and a new entrance from St. Mary’s Road with expanded parking. The project will double the size of the facility and was initially approved in February. HNTB’s contract was for $950,965 for the design phase. That contract has now been amended to include the construction-documents phase of the project and has a total value of nearly $1.8 million.
The board met and voted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
