Clockwise, from top left: Cherilyn G. Murer, Robert T. Boey, Wheeler G. Coleman and John R. Butler
Robert T. Boey, John R. Butler and Wheeler G. Coleman were reappointed Friday, Jan. 18, by Gov. Pat Quinn to the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees.
The reappointments come at a critical time for NIU, as the university is in the midst of a presidential search.
“I am pleased the governor has reappointed these three trustees during such a critical time for our university,” said Cherilyn G. Murer, who was elected chair of the board for the second time in May, 2012. “Bob, John and Wheeler have provided strong leadership for the university during their respective tenures, and their continued involvement is essential as we move forward with university goals in the midst of a presidential search.”
Boey, of Sycamore, was among the initial appointees to the board in January, 1996, and currently serves as vice chair. He served as chair from 1997-99. Boey is chair of the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee and is a member of both the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee and Legislation, Audit, External Affairs and Compliance Committee. He also is the board’s liaison for the NIU Foundation. In addition, Boey serves as co-chair of NIU’s Presidential Search Committee, charged with overseeing the hiring of the university’s next president. Boey is president and co-owner of American Bare Conductor in Sycamore and also owns the Sycamore Industrial Park.
Butler, vice chair of the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee, has served the board since his appointment in January, 2008. He is a member of both the Finance, Facilities and Operations and Legislation, Audit, External Affairs and Compliance Committees. Butler is a partner at Butler & Anderson, LLC, Chicago. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from NIU; served two terms as Student Regent under NIU’s previous governing body, the Board of Regents; and spent seven years as an assistant professor and Director of Forensics in NIU’s Department of Communication.
Coleman, the chair of the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee, was appointed to the board in December, 2011. He also sits on the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee as well as the Legislation, Audit, External Affairs and Compliance Committee. Coleman graduated from NIU’s nationally-respected computer science program in 1983 with a degree in applied data processing. He later earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He currently holds the positions of vice president and chief technology officer at Health Care Service Corporation, the fourth largest health insurance company in the United States and the nation’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Coleman has been a member of the NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2010.
“Today’s appointees are talented, accomplished individuals who believe in the power of education,” Governor Quinn said in a press release announcing the reappointments.
The NIU Board of Trustees was established in January 1996 by an act of the Illinois General Assembly. Seven voting members appointed by the governor serve six-year terms. One voting student, elected by the NIU student body, serves a one-year term.
