Susan Koch, a deep-rooted Midwesterner, got her first look Monday at the University of Illinois Springfield campus and met more than 300 people she’ll get to know better when she takes over as UIS chancellor July 1.
Koch, who now is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, met with reporters, then joined her husband, Dennis, and University of Illinois President Michael Hogan in a receiving line at the Public Affairs Center.
Hogan revealed that Koch is an avid golfer, a pheasant hunter and “makes a mean applesauce that won a blue ribbon at a county fair. Now she has her sights set on the Illinois State Fair.”
Hogan, who has headed the University of Illinois for less than a year, said he knew Koch from a provosts’ organization when he held that position at the University of Iowa and she was at Northern Iowa University.
He called Koch “the perfect choice” to lead UIS.
“She is a problem-solver and a great leader, and I know she’ll carry forward the excellent legacy of leadership here.”
Koch was featured in an April 12, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
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