University News
C. Robert Leininger to Leave WIU Board of Trustees
May 3, 2001
MACOMB, IL -- C. Robert Leininger of Springfield, one of the original appointees to the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees, has announced his resignation from the Board, effective June 30.
Leininger, a graduate of Western and former superintendent of education for the state of Illinois, was first named to the WIU Board in 1995 and reappointed in 1999. He submitted his resignation to Gov. George Ryan, thanking him for "the opportunity to have served the citizens of Illinois in this
position."
Last year Leininger was named by Gov. Ryan to chair the Educational Funding Advisory Board, a panel that recommends legislative changes to Illinois' school aid formula. Leininger is retired from the Magna Group Inc., St. Louis, MO, where he was an executive vice president. Prior to this position, he served as the fourth appointed state superintendent of education for Illinois.
"As a leader in education, Robert Leininger has advocated -- on behalf of students and as a trustee of this University -- his continued support for the role of education in our society," said WIU President Donald S. Spencer. "As state superintendent in Illinois he worked closely with Western's College of Education and Human Services in the development of technology and distance
education programs which have enabled Western to meet the needs of Illinois schools and teachers and students across the country while securing the University's place among the nation's leaders in distance education."
He began his career as chief administrative officer for the Centerville Grade School District in Prophetstown, where he served as teacher, principal and superintendent. He later served as superintendent of schools for Lyndon Grade School District, Lyndon High School District and River Bend Unit District in Fulton. Leininger joined the State Board of Education in 1976 as assistant superintendent for governmental and community relations and became chief of staff for the agency in 1987.
Offices held by Leininger have included president of the Illinois Association of School Administrators and chair of the Northwest Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the Illinois Taxpayers' Federation and the Golden Apple
Foundation.
He received the WIU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990 and was named the Outstanding Education Alumnus by the University of Illinois in 1987. Leininger received his bachelor's degree from WIU in 1960 and a master of arts in education administration from the University of Illinois. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from McKendree College in Lebanon.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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