Steve Adams to Retire

After serving Illinois State University for 35 years, the last five as vice president for Student Affairs, Steve Adams has announced he will retire June 1, 2011.  President Al Bowman said a national search for the next vice president of Student Affairs will begin immediately.

"The name Steve Adams has been synonymous with excellence at Illinois State for more than 30 years," Bowman said. "We will miss his leadership tremendously, but I know I will continue to rely on his wisdom and advice as he remains a close member of the University family."

During Adams' Student Affairs tenure, the division led the construction of the new Student Fitness Center, renovated residence halls and dining centers, enhanced the Bone Student Center and paved the way for the University's first-ever public and private student housing initiative.  The division also implemented an emergency texting system and added a security force to augment campus police patrols.

Adams, who has also served for 35 years as the "Voice of the Redbirds," announcing football and men's basketball games, will continue those duties for Redbird Athletics. 

"While we will miss Steve's daily presence on campus, we are thrilled he will continue his relationship with the Redbirds," said Sheahon Zenger, director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Steve is part of the fabric of Redbird football and men's basketball, and I know that the entire community will appreciate his continued service."

Adams previously served as assistant vice president for Enrollment Management and Academic Services, director of Admissions and interim director of Financial Aid among other leadership positions. During his 11 years as director of Admissions, Adams helped raise the new student academic profile to record levels. He has served as state representative for Illinois to the American College Testing (ACT) National Office, ACT Education Advisory Board member, president of the ACT State Council and president of the Illinois Organization of State Universities for Admission and Records Officers.

Adams received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Illinois Wesleyan University and did graduate work in counselor education at Illinois State. He was a Senior Fellow in the Educational Policy Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. Adams received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame and the Illinois State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Just last week, Adams received the University's Neal R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award.