Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:15 AM CDT
Thallemer resigns from Lake Land
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — As of today, Bill Thallemer is no longer president of Lake Land College.
The institution’s board of trustees accepted Thallemer’s resignation Wednesday, just 11 months after he started the job. Trustees met in special session Wednesday night to handle the personnel matter.
Board Chairwoman Doris Reynolds, citing a policy of confidentiality on personnel matters, declined to comment on the reported dispute between the board and president. Reynolds said Thallemer has “chosen to pursue other career opportunities in the field of higher education and appreciates the opportunities afforded him by Lake Land College.”
Thallemer’s letter of resignation to the trustees, submitted Tuesday, was brief: “Please accept my resignation from employment with Lake Land College, as President, effective 31 May 07.”
He was hired in February 2006 after a nationwide search for applicants. Thallemer was the fifth president in the history of Lake Land College.
Reynolds, speaking to news reporters after the unanimous board vote in Webb Hall, said the board will meet soon to select an interim president and then map out a plan for hiring a new college president. She added the college board “wishes Dr. Thallemer well.
“This is has been a very difficult time,” Reynolds said. “We have to deal with the realities and facts at hand.”
She refused to comment on details of the dispute between the board and Thallemer. Some have claimed the dispute related to Thallemer’s behavior outside the college, which critics considered inappropriate.
The board voted on the motion after one hour and 45 minutes of closed session discussion. The motion simply called for acceptance of the settlement agreement and Thallemer’s resignation.
Voting were Reynolds and trustees Kent Metzger, Mike Sullivan, Leland Glazebrook, Tom Niebrugge, Marianne Morgan, Jim Shaffer and student trustee Tyler Holsapple.
Reynolds acknowledged the public might not be satisfied with the lack of details as to why Thallemer submitted his resignation. But she said the public should know it is time to move on.
“This is a legally binding agreement and therefore we cannot disclose the details regarding the separation of employment,” Reynolds said. “I can tell you the college will continue focusing on student success. Regardless of our personal views, we are committed to student success.”
She said she welcomes different viewpoints from employees and appreciates the passion employees have shown toward the college and for student services. Reynolds also indicated more information on this incident could be made available in the near future.
“We worked very closely and tried to have every opportunity to work with him,” Reynolds said when asked whether Thallemer was forced to submit his resignation.
Reynolds declined to comment on whether Thallemer received disciplinary correspondence earlier this month. She cited confidentiality on personnel matters for remaining silent on that question.
“We just need to go on with the future of the college. And the college is going to survive,” Reynolds said.
But one college employee, Cheryl Roberts, an administrative assistant and head of the Lake Land Paraprofessional Union employees, expressed frustration over the action. She said the board’s actions related to Thallemer have demoralized college employees over the past few months.
“I hope we can get this divided college back together. It can be done. I’m not giving up on the college. And I hope the board doesn’t give up on us like they did with Dr. Thallemer,” Roberts said.
Roberts was among 45 people in the audience during the special meeting. Speaking in favor of Thallemer before the board met in closed session were Roberts, De’An Rogers of WEIU-TV and retired Major General John Phipps.
Phipps said he was impressed with Thallemer’s acceptance of new ideas. Phipps praised Thallemer for his efforts to help establish an ROTC program at Lake Land in cooperation with the military training program at Eastern Illinois University.
“It’s very disappointing the college president and Lake Land board are not getting along,” Phipps said. “At least give the man a fair chance.”
Rogers said Thallemer was inspiring to broadcast students at Eastern through his visits and periodic interviews on the college stations.
“Every time he spoke he talked (about) how Lake Land College could be a partner with the community,” Rogers said.
Thallemer, who did not attend the special board meeting, could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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CLICK TO ENLARGE
 (Submitted to the JG/T-C)
A copy of Bill Thallemer's resignation letter.
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clumpton wrote on May 30, 2007 8:59 PM: