By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Illinois State University President Larry Dietz Friday announced he will retire at the end of June as the university’s 19th president.

Dietz came to ISU in June 2011 as vice president for student affairs and was appointed president in March 2014. During his tenure, ISU has been ranked among the top universities in the U.S. for high graduation and retention rates, and low student loan default rates.

“I believe my final seven months as president may indeed be the busiest and most challenging of my career as I continue to work with our faculty and staff colleagues to keep the University community as safe and healthy as possible while still delivering a high-quality ISU experience,” Dietz said. “In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly trigger severe budget challenges which must be addressed in the coming months. However, as my career in higher education draws to its conclusion, an emotion that fills my heart today is one of gratitude. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with so many terrific students, faculty, staff members, alumni, retirees, and friends. I am thankful to our Board of Trustees for the confidence they placed in me six years ago, and for the support and guidance they have offered ever since.”

Dietz, who has been in higher education for 50 years, is currently the longest serving of all Illinois public university presidents. Before ISU, Dietz served as vice chancellor for student affairs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for 10 years. Dietz also served as special assistant to the chancellor at SIUC and as a tenured associate professor in educational administration and higher education.

ISU Board of Trustees Chair Julie Jones said the search process for the university’s 20th president will begin immediately.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]