The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously voted at a meeting Jan. 31 to appoint former Michigan Governor John Engler as interim president of the university. Engler, an MSU graduate, will assume his duties February 5.
“As the father of three daughters who just completed their undergraduate degrees, I put myself in the place of every parent who has sent their loved one to this great institution,” Engler said. “I understand the concern and uncertainty as well as the frustration and anger. To those parents, be assured that I will move forward as if my own daughters were on this campus and will treat every student as I would my own daughters.”
Board Chairman Brian Breslin said Engler’s depth of executive experience — his years of service to the state of Michigan and his experience as the CEO of the National Association of Manufactures and president of the Business Roundtable — will benefit MSU enormously.
Prior to Engler's appointment, Bill Beekman was named acting president of Michigan State University at the Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 26, 2018, after the Board voted to formally accept former MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon’s resignation.
Also, on Jan. 26, MSU athletic director Mark Hollis announced his retirement. Hollis, a 1985 MSU graduate, has served as athletic director for the last 10 years. Hollis described the decision to retire as one he did not make lightly.
“This was not an easy decision…. I am not running away from anything, I am running toward something. Comfort, compassion and understanding for the survivors and our community; togetherness, time and love for my family,” Hollis wrote in a statement announcing his retirement.
Michigan State University is committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence. Support is available and can be found through a variety of campus programs. MSU encourages all survivors of sexual assault to seek counseling.
The Healing Assistance Fund is available to MSU health clinic patients and student athletes whom Nassar abused, as well as the parents of these victims. It was set up at the direction of MSU’s Board of Trustees in December 2017.
