UPDATED: Bradley President resigns; Board of Trustees chair to replace him (2024)

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — After a year of sweeping budget cuts and amid lower enrollment, Bradley University announced a major change to its leadership.

Retiring was Dr. Stephen Standifird, who came to the president’s office in May 2020 after Gary Roberts left. Replacing him as interim president is Jonathan E. Michael, the current board of trustees chair and the former chairman of RLI, Inc.

Standifird said his term in office will end on June 15.

He said in a letter to the Bradley community that serving as the school’s president was “one of the greatest honors” of his professional career. He thanked the board, the administration, faculty, staff and students for their support over the past four years.

“Serving as the President of Bradley University has been an incredible honor and privilege,” he said. “Together, we have navigated numerous challenges and celebrated many successes.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and am confident that Bradley University will continue to thrive and achieve great things in the future,” Standifird added.

Replacing Michael as the board’s chair will be Vice Chair Matthew Vonachen.

Michael acknowledged the challenging landscape the school is facing.

“We are grateful to Dr. Standifird for his hard work and leadership during this historic time. He helped the university navigate the pandemic, address enrollment issues, and he took steps to meet financial challenges,” he said. “The difficult work done during the last four years is one reason the future of Bradley is very bright.

“We wish Dr. Standifird the very best in his next leadership role,” Michael said.

As an interim president, Michael will be responsible for all university operations. He has been on the BU board since 2016.

The board will now undertake a comprehensive search for a new president, including the use of a nationally recognized search firm. In a statement, the board said it’s “committed to an extremely thorough search process that will result in the right leader for Bradley University and its future.”

Standifird’s tenure, almost exactly four years, is the shortest in Bradley’s history. Roberts who left office in May 2020, took the job in January 2016, meaning he served as president for five months longer than Standifird.

The move on the Hilltop is also unusual in that the university doesn’t usually replace a president with a board member or at least in the past 30 years.

During his four years in office, Bradley has seen its enrollment decline, which is also a national trend. But it’s been alarming for the university.

He also announced sweeping cuts to the school’s budget to plug a $13 million deficit. The cuts, released on Dec. 11, will see 15 academic degree programs and 61 faculty positions eliminated.

The cuts were not well received by the school’s community. Mark Tangel, who will be a senior next year at Bradley, spoke about what he sees as the future of the university.

“There appears to be an opportunity for change whether or not that actually manifests will depend on the Board of Trustees’ persistence, student accountability for the administration and continued dialogue between these parties that are right now so in conflict,” he said.

The faculty senate had a vote of no confidence regarding Standifird last year. And university’s top academic official, Provost Walter Zakahi, also left at the end of the spring semester this year.

Dear Bradley Campus Community,

I am writing to inform you of a significant decision I have made regarding my tenure as President of Bradley University.
After much reflection and consideration, I have decided to resign from my position as President, effective June 15. This has been an incredibly challenging decision, but I believe it is the right one for me and the institution at this time. Jonathan Michael, the current Chair of the Board of Trustees, will step in to serve as Interim President.
Serving as your President has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. Together, we have navigated numerous challenges and celebrated many successes. I am deeply proud of the progress we have made during the past four years, including creating a more inclusive campus, introducing a number of new programs that respond to the needs and desires of today’s students, and creating the nation’s first 5G Digitally Connected Campus.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Trustees, the administration, faculty, staff, and especially our students, for their support and dedication during my tenure. The Bradley community’s commitment to excellence and innovation gives me confidence that Bradley will continue to thrive and achieve great things in the future.
I will work closely with Interim President Michael to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. In the meantime, Board Vice Chair Matthew Vonachen will perform the duties of the Board Chair. We are all committed to ensuring continuity across university operations.
Interim President Michael and the Board of Trustees will soon begin the search for a new president. I am committed to supporting this process to ensure that Bradley University continues on its path of success.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve this remarkable institution. I will always cherish my time at Bradley and look forward to watching its continued growth and achievements from a new vantage point.
The Board of Trustees and I agree, the future of Bradley is very bright – because of the commitment you and others demonstrate to its work every day.

Sincerely, Stephen Standifird, president