Steve Bragg To Retire In April

Steve Bragg, Illinois State's vice president for Finance and Planning since 1998, will retire April 30, the University announced today.  A national search for the University's next chief financial officer will begin immediately.

"I can think of no one who has provided more important leadership to this University over the past ten years than Steve Bragg," said President Al Bowman.  "While other institutions have struggled financially over the past decade, Illinois State University has thrived, and a great deal of the credit for our success is due to the work of Steve Bragg and his team."

Bragg became interim vice president and then vice president of the division after serving as the director of Planning, Policy Studies and Information Systems for four years.  Prior to that, he served the Illinois Board of Higher Education in Planning and Analytical Studies and Academic Affairs as well as Fiscal Affairs.

"Steve has been talking to me about retiring for more than a year, and I am grateful that he honored my requests to delay his departure until this spring," Bowman said.  "In consultation with our shared governance leaders, Steve has helped craft fiscal year 2010 budget scenarios that will respond to Illinois' economic outlook as we enter the coming fiscal year."

During his tenure, Bragg guided University finance through some of the most turbulent economic periods in recent memory, including several years of budget cuts, mid-year rescissions, hiring freezes and a seven-year stretch without a state capital spending plan that continues to this day.  

Bragg established financing precedents in acquiring and developing the new Alumni Center in partnership with the Illinois State University Foundation and private developers in financing the new Student Fitness and Kinesiology and Recreation Center that will serve as a model for future development.

During Bragg's tenure, Illinois State completed its Campus Master Plan and opened several new facilities, including the Center for the Performing Arts, the College of Business Building, the Alumni Center and a research farm in Lexington.  A sweeping renovation plan resulted in remodeling projects for Schroeder Hall, several residence halls and improvements to almost every campus building. The establishment of zone chiller concepts combined with creative energy purchase processes has saved Illinois State millions of dollars.   Bragg also worked to enhance and streamline Human Resources and Information Systems processes and led the implementation of a four-year tuition guarantee plan prior to the passage of Illinois' "Truth-In Tuition" laws.

Bowman plans to appoint the next vice president of Finance and Planning by August 15.  Beginning May 1, administrative oversight of the division and signing authority will be provided by Dianne Ashby, vice president for University Advancement.