Dr. Jack Thomas

Dr. Jack Thomas exemplifies a relentless commitment to higher education, personal integrity, and scholarly excellence from the halls of academia to the highest echelons of university leadership. With an educational background that boasts a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master's in English Education from Virginia State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Alabama A&M University, he has consistently proven his dedication to the advancement of learning. Throughout his career, he has taken on various roles in the academic sector, from the classroom as an English Professor to the administrative office as a College President. In each capacity, he has showcased an unrivaled level of commitment, driven by a profound understanding of his field, an insatiable work ethic, and a value system steeped in integrity. His most remarkable professional achievement was his tenure as President of Western Illinois University (WIU). Facing a backdrop of daunting fiscal challenges at the state level, he managed an expansive budget nearing $224 million. Despite these budgetary hurdles, he catalyzed significant improvements across multiple dimensions, from increasing diversity and spawning new academic programs to fortifying relationships with corporations, local communities, and K-12 educational institutions. His astute handling of cash flow issues during Illinois' financial crisis was particularly noteworthy. During his tenure, a new WIU campus was launched in Moline, Illinois, and a multi-million dollar capital campaign reached its successful conclusion. In addition to his roles within academic institutions, he has served on several esteemed boards and committees, including the Marguerite Casey Foundation Board of Directors, the Stillman College Board of Trustees, and the American Council on Education Council of Fellows. His wisdom, experience, and unfailing integrity have benefited each service tenure immensely.