Daily Egyptian Editor 26

Keith Sanders marks his time as an SIUC debate team member as a turning point in his life, which led him to the doors of one of the most prestigious jobs in Illinois’ education field.

Sanders, former dean of the College of Mass Communications and Fine Arts and SIUC graduate, who was appointed as Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education in November, joined the debate team as a freshman in 1957 and was a member until 1961.

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We traveled all over the country debating, and we won numerous championships, he said. I learned in those years on the debate team a great deal about how to analyze an issue, how to present my side of an issue with clarity, and I gained a lot of confidence as a person.

So my undergraduate days at SIUC were some of very best years of my life and some of the most influential years, as well.

Sanders was appointed director by the IBHE after Richard Wagner, director since 1980, announced his retirement.

As executive director, Sanders will be responsible for overseeing staff operations, planning policy development and developing the budget for higher education.

Although he has yet to formulate concrete goals, Sanders said technology and funding education will remain priorities

I want to keep the higher education community in Illinois speaking with a single voice, and I also want to help colleges and universities sensitively implement new learning technologies, he said. But beyond those two priorities, I just haven’t formulated an agenda yet.

Sanders’ experiences at SIUC will in part shape that agenda.

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It will be very important for me to treat all colleges and universities in the state fairly and equitably, he said. Nevertheless, everyone knows that I hold SIUC with great affection and respect, and in a way to respect all colleges and universities, you must certainly respect one very much.

So I would expect the entire higher education community in Illinois to profit from my long-term affection and respect at SIUC.

Ross Hodel, deputy director of the IBHE, said Sanders was given a three-year contract for the position because of his wide breadth of experience in education and politics.

Sanders began his long relationship with SIUC as a student in 1957 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1961. One year later he obtained a master’s degree in science .

In those days you could graduate college in four years and by going two summers, you could get a master’s degree, he said. So I was on the fast track.

Sanders became an SIUC instructor in speech in 1967 and became a full professor of speech communication in 1977.

In 1983, Sanders became dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts, serving as dean until 1989. He then left SIUC to become chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He is a lecturer in educational administration at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and will continue to teach until he becomes director Jan. 1.

Sanders, 58, lives in Wisconsin with his wife, whom he met at SIUC, and their one son.

Previously Sanders was a candidate for the presidency of SIU and most recently he was nominated as a candidate for the SIUC chancellor search.

I declined both positions respectfully, he said. I have been a chancellor and was for six years at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. And while I enjoyed it, I don’t want to do it again because I know what that position can teach me. And moreover I’m at my best when I’m doing something different with a few surprises built in.

Aside from educational experience, Sanders said he also possesses a broad range of political experience. In 1980, Sanders mixed education and politics when he was appointed as governmental relations officer.

In 1988, he was appointed chairman of the Let’s Put Our Money Where Our Minds Are campaign by Illinois universities, colleges and schools. The campaign sought an increase in income taxes to fund education, and Sanders coordinated lobbying efforts for the increased funding.

The campaign was not successful in 1988, but it was done in 1989 and renewed in 1992, he said. So I think it paved the way, and I was proud of the role I, and several other colleges and universities, played in that campaign.

Sanders said his first intentions as director will be to continue discussion with members of the IBHE and other educational leaders.

I always spend a lot of time listening during the first month of any new job, he said.

John Jackson, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost, said Sanders is an excellent choice and will require little training for the job.

He knows the higher-education scene in Illinois and has been a part of it for more than a quarter of a century, Jackson, a friend and former colleague of Sanders, said. He also knows the political scene in Springfield and is extremely adept on how Illinois works politically.

So I don’t think he’ll have too much to learn.

SIU President Ted Sanders said Keith Sanders’ appointment will benefit SIU.

The decision is to our advantage because he comes from Southern Illinois and from SIUC, he said.

Keith Sanders said he looks forward to returning to Illinois and beginning his new job.

To work for a coordinating board that is widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind is truly an honor, he said.