UE President Stephen Jennings Announces Retirement Plans
Published: May 08, 2009
For more than 4 decades, students have been the center of Steve and Sally Jennings’ work in higher education.
It started during his years as an undergraduate at Trinity University when he spent his time outside of class working in the student life office. It continued with his first job out of graduate school, as the director of student activities at Southern Methodist University in 1970. And it came full-circle last year, when – after eight years as president of the University of Evansville – Jennings oversaw the opening of the state-of-the-art, 92,000-square-foot William L. Ridgway University Center at the heart of the UE campus.
Now, after 40 years of preparing thousands of students for the real world, Steve and Sally Jennings are preparing to depart university life.
“Today, I announced to the Board of Trustees my plan to retire from the University of Evansville, effective May 31, 2010,” Jennings said. “Looking back on my tenure at UE, I am amazed of what we have been able to accomplish – from opening the new university center; to constructing the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration building as the first LEED-certified ‘green’ building in Vanderburgh County; to our largest-ever capital campaign, the $80 million U•Envision 2010 campaign, is nearing its conclusion – I am very proud of what has happened, and I am so grateful to those who generously support this great institution. Now, I believe it is the right time to turn over the reins.”
Jennings will be available to media at 2:00 p.m. today in the Vectren Executive Boardroom on the second floor of UE’s Schroeder Family School of Business Administration building.
Jennings began his career in the Office of Student Life at Southern Methodist University shortly after graduating from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. He went on to earn a Master of Science in personnel counseling from Miami University of Ohio, and a Ph.D. in counseling and human development from the University of Georgia. He also received a diploma from Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management and holds two honorary degrees – a Doctor of Humane Letters from Simpson College and a Doctor of Laws from the College of the Ozarks.
On June 1, 2001, he became the University of Evansville’s 22nd president after serving as president of three other institutions since 1983: Oklahoma City University, Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and the College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri. As president, Jennings oversaw UE’s transformation to a top-tier, globally-focused institution of higher learning. Today, the University is among the nation’s top 10 in Study Abroad participation, with nearly 60 percent of graduates studying abroad at some point during their collegiate career. UE’s campus currently boasts students from 39 of the United States, and from more than 45 different nations around the globe.
In 2004, thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, the University created the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana, which aims to enhance the international business knowledge and skills for UE students and faculty, and increase global competitiveness for Tri-State businesses. Additionally, under Jennings’ guidance, the University has been able to maintain its status among the top tier of U.S. colleges and universities according to the widely-circulated annual rankings of America’s Best Colleges compiled by U.S.News & World Report. This year, UE also was ranked the #3 Best Value among Masters-granting institutions in the Midwest by the same publication.
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we wish to thank Steve and Sally for their extraordinary service and outstanding achievements at the University of Evansville,” said Niel Ellerbrook, chair of the UE Board of Trustees. “The Board is grateful the institution will remain under Dr. Jennings’ leadership for another year to guide the U•Envision 2010 capital campaign to a successful conclusion. Of course, we wish he would stay longer, but after a 40 year career in higher education including nine successful years at UE, we understand his desire to retire. We hate to see them leave, but look forward to a productive final year of Steve Jennings’ leadership."
Locally, Jennings is a member of the board of directors of Koch Enterprises Inc., Old National Evansville Metro Community Bank-South District, Economic Development Coalition of Southwestern Indiana, Signature Learning Center, Evansville Rotary Club, and WNIN Public Broadcasting. In addition, he is a member of the Evansville Mayor's Education Roundtable and the board of governors of the Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series. Jennings is also a member of Methodist Temple. He has served as Pacesetter and Public Sector Chair on the United Way of Southwestern Indiana Campaign Cabinet. Jennings was recently elected to chair the board of directors of the Independent Colleges of Indiana and is a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities serving as a member of the Committee on Policy Analysis and Public Relations. He is a member of the presidents' council of the New American Colleges and Universities, and past chair of the president's council of the Missouri Valley Conference. Jennings is also a member of the board of trustees of Salem Academy and College in North Carolina and the board of visitors at Trinity University in Texas. In addition, he was a member of the board of directors of the Council of Independent Colleges from 1997 to 2000, president of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church from 1998 to 1999, and he has served as president of the Oklahoma Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Jennings is a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Collegiate Athletic Association and has also consulted in various school systems, universities and businesses on such topics as motivation, leadership training, and management in higher education. He has been selected for inclusion in the last 15 editions of Who's Who in America and has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater, Trinity University and from the School of Education at the University of Georgia. He is also the recipient of the University of Evansville Samuel Orr Honorary Alumnus Award and the Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Education at Miami University.
Jennings and his wife, Sally, met during their undergraduate years at Trinity University and celebrated 40 years of marriage this year. Sally has been an active presidential spouse, strengthening and supporting Jennings’ efforts throughout his distinguished career. They are the proud parents of two children, Amy, married to Jack, and Meredith, married to Jamie, and six grandchildren: Rachel, Emma, Mara, Brynn, Sam, and Kate.
According to Ellerbrook, a Presidential Search Committee will be appointed in the next several weeks according to established procedures. The members of that committee will represent the wide variety of constituencies of the University. Among them are Trustees, faculty, administrators, students, alumni, the United Methodist Church, and the community. The Board of Trustees has the responsibility for the final choice and appointment of the next President. For more information on Jennings’ retirement, please visit www.evansville.edu/jenningslegacy.
