Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Tom Britton, a retired Southern Illinois University vice-chancellor, to become the newest member of the SIU Board of Trustees on Monday, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“Tom has dedicated his life to public higher education and Southern Illinois University,” Rauner said. “His connection to university staff, students and alumni, along with his proven track record in the advancement of higher education, make him uniquely qualified for this important position.”

SIU President Randy Dunn said he is glad to welcome Britton to the Board of Trustees.

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“You’d have a hard time finding someone who loves SIU more than Tom,” Dunn said. “He has the benefit having experience at a number of levels throughout the campus.”

Britton will fill a position on the board that has been vacant for about a year, Dunn said.

Britton began his connection with the university as a student, earning his bachelors, masters and his Juris Doctor degree at the in Carbondale before becoming part of the administration, according to the press release.

He spent seventeen years in the University’s central administration, serving as administrative counsel to the SIU Board of Trustees, executive assistant to the President, Vice Chancellor for Administration and the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement the press release said.

In 1992, he became the first SIU Law graduate to be named Associate Dean at the School of Law where he went on to serve as Acting Dean, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies and Director of Development before retiring in 2016.

Britton also taught courses in the area of public law, including administrative law, legislative and administrative process, state and local government law, and education law.

He has served as a consultant to the Illinois State Board of Education and trained administrative law judges on cases involving special need students.

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“I earned three degrees at SIU and spent approximately forty years as an administrator and a teacher with the university,” Britton said. “I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees at a time when clearly-focused, intentional leadership at the policy level is so needed.”

The Governor’s nomination was officially filed with the Secretary of State on April 9, 2018 and is expected to go before the Senate for approval later this spring, according to the release. 

The Daily Egyptian’s news desk can be reached at 618-536-3397 or [email protected].

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