Timothy Flanagan (left) resigned as ISU president in March. Larry Dietz (right) was selected to take the position. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Illinois State University had a change in leadership this year.

Timothy Flanagan was hired as ISU president in mid-2013, but by March of this year his tenure was over. Flanagan resigned after allegations concerning an incident in which he yelled at then-grounds superintendent Patrick Murphy who was keeping the grounds at the president's mansion where Flanagan resided.

The ISU board of trustees then turned to Larry Dietz.

"I think the institution really is not about me, frankly, (it) is not about hardly any president," said Dietz. "The institution is really about the legacy that this place has had since 1857. It's had a very rich history and it'll have a very bright future; regardless almost of whom’s in this role."

Flanagan was eventually convicted of disorderly conduct. After the conviction, his attorney Steve Skelton said Flanagan regretted the incident with Murphy.

"If he could turn back the clock to that date he would have approached it differently," said Skelton. "Yes, he does regret the unfortunate incident that took place."

In order to break the contract with Flanagan, ISU had to pay him just over $480,000. A group of students calling themselves "I Paid for Flanagan" wanted an apology and even called for board chairman Michael McCuskey's resignation.

When students showed at a board of trustee meeting, McCuskey responded.

"Why would I apologize for what hundreds of people told us was a good decision," McCuskey said.

ISU senior Tomi Mick wanted to see a different type of presidential contract which wouldn't result in such large payouts in similar situations.

"Instead of saying, 'well it worked before Flanagan and so it will work after Flanagan and he was just an anomaly,'" said Mick. "Clearly, the contract language and the things we're doing are not supporting and truly protecting the university."

But McCusky disagreed.

"How are you going to get a university president on a one-year contract and say you have to be in the office at 9 a.m. Monday, you have to come to 22 basketball games, you have to be seen, where the right clothes to be seen, you have to do this, you have to do that," McCuskey.

McCuskey eventually left the board, but for personal reasons not related to the Flanagan incident.

Dietz received a lot of support from the board and community, which he said he's grateful for.

"That amount of involvement and support has been unbelievable. We are just very grateful for that," said Dietz. "That's both a real blessing, but it also sets the bar pretty high."

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].