Weaver wants to be Bradley University president

PEORIA, Ill. — State Sen. Chuck Weaver, a Bradley alumnus, is reportedly among the applicants for the top job at Bradley University.

Bradley University President Gary Roberts has announced he will retire at the end of May 2020.

Weaver’s senate seat is also up for re-election next year.

In a letter, Weaver told Republican party leaders because of his position as state senator, it’s important that he be transparent in communicating with them about the other position he’s looking at.

Bradley University Spokesperson Renee Charles said close to 60 people have applied for the BU presidency so far.

A national search is being led by a search firm and committee made up of Bradley Board of Trustee members, three faculty members, and a student, Charles said.

Weaver was appointed to the state senate in 2015, replacing Congressman Darin LaHood when he was elected to the House.

***UPDATE***

Bradley University on Friday afternoon released the following statement:

“In light of recent media coverage of Bradley University’s search for its next President, Bradley’s Board of Trustees wishes to stress three points.

First, as an institution with an outstanding reputation, we have attracted many impressive candidates from across the nation and, indeed, from around the world.

Second, we are still in the preliminary stages of screening these candidates and have not yet extended an invitation to any candidate to interview for the position.

And third, Bradley’s Board of Trustees is committed to conducting a free and fair search which observes the University’s principles of shared governance and respects norms of professional courtesy and confidentiality.”

Weaver wants to be Bradley University president

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