Chicago State University Picks Alabama Educator as New President
He became a high profile figure locally as principal of two Chicago area schools and headmaster of another one. He helped stabilize enrollment at North Alabama University in Florence. And now, Chicago State University (CSU) is looking to Thomas J. Calhoun Jr. for leadership.
Last week, the university’s Board of Trustees selected Calhoun to replace Dr. Wayne Watson who is retiring as president of the school.
Calhoun, who starts his new job Jan. 1, will be paid $300,000 annually under a four year contract, school officials said. Calhoun also will move into the school’s presidential mansion at 10400 Longwood Dr. in the affluent Beverly neighborhood.
Chicago State, itself, is at 9501 S. King Dr.
“It’s obviously an honor and a privilege,” Calhoun said. “I don’t take it lightly. I look forward to serving this university community to the best of my ability.”
Calhoun, vice president for enrollment management at the University of Alabama, was selected over two other finalists for the job: Dennis J. Shields, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Jerry D. Blakemore, vice president and general counsel at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
“We all believe he will take the university to the next level,” said Nikki Zollar, chairwoman of the college’s presidential search committee.
One big issue at the university is a steep 35 percent enrollment decline from about 7,300 in 2010 to about 4,760 today.
Officials believe Calhoun can help stabilize the school’s student population – a problem that rocked Watson’s term as head of the university, which started in 2009.
During Watson’s tenure, the school’s accreditation was renewed but it was hit with whistleblower lawsuits.
Robert Bionaz, who had his run-ins with Watson, said he was pleased with the trustees selection.
Bionaz is the CSU Chapter president of University Professionals of Illinois, an organization that according to its website draws together the collective strength of public higher education's faculty and staff while trying to protect and enhance the distinctive features of each university.
“I am happy with this selection,” said Bionaz, a CSU history professor who sued Watson for trying to shut down a blog used by some CSU faculty members. “Hopefully, we can solve the problems that have plagued us over the last several years. This is a school where you can get a really good education. I don’t think that story is out around here.”
Calhoun, 64, became a prominent figure in Chicago as founding principal of North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School, principal at Hales Franciscan High and headmaster of St. Gregory Episcopal School.
He also worked for several years in the Chicago Public Schools’ department of research, evaluation and planning.
Calhoun was associate vice president for affairs at and previously was assistant dean for student academic services at the University of Washington’s College of Engineering. Calhoun was associate vice president for affairs at UNA.
Calhoun also taught at Morehouse College in Atlanta and directed a science and technology program at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
Calhoun has bachelors’ degrees from Tuskegee University in Alabama, a master’s from Clark Atlanta University in Georgia and a doctorate’s from the University of Washington.
Calhoun, an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, also holds a master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
Calhoun plans to stay active in the church when he moves to Chicago but he does not have an immediate plan to minister, CSU officials said.
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