Lake Land President Resigns
Updated: May 31, 2007
The President of Lake Land College in Mattoon is out, but it's not the end of the debate. The Board of Trustees accepted Bill Thallemer's resignation on Wednesday night. But his supporters believe, it wasn't on his own terms.
About two dozen people came to the board meeting to get some questions answered. But they still ended up leaving with questions, like what prompted the president to resign.
They came knowing Dr. Thallemer's job was in question, and they wanted to know why. "I don't like to listen to rumors, so that's why I'm here," says Lyndsey Reedy, a student at Lake Land. "I just encourage him as a person to stay positive." Hal Kottwitz, former instructor, says he cares about the college and wanted to know what was going on. "I really don't know what the problem is, it might be something serious I don't know anything about," says Kottwitz.
Three people stood, and spoke out in favor of Thallemer. Then, everyone waited outside while the board discussed the president's future in closed session. Nearly two hours later the board voted. It said Thallemer resigned "to pursue other career opportunities in the field of higher education." But still, the board wouldn't say why the man so many students and staff loved...left.
Dorris Reynolds, Board Chair, couldn't answer many questions because it's a personnell matter that has to stay confidential. "We worked very closely and tried to have every opportunity to work with him. I can answer some other questions later," says Reynolds.
But those questions are leaving some at the college, unsatisfied. Shane Rogers, instructor, says "it's really sad.The morale here couldn't be lower. I don't know what's gonna happen from here."
The board did say it wishes Thallemer well, but wouldn't say if it was satisfied with his job performance, or if it did something to push him away. They just brought him on about a year ago, and now they'll have to find someone else for the job. In the meantime, the four vice presidents of the college will run things.
About two dozen people came to the board meeting to get some questions answered. But they still ended up leaving with questions, like what prompted the president to resign.
They came knowing Dr. Thallemer's job was in question, and they wanted to know why. "I don't like to listen to rumors, so that's why I'm here," says Lyndsey Reedy, a student at Lake Land. "I just encourage him as a person to stay positive." Hal Kottwitz, former instructor, says he cares about the college and wanted to know what was going on. "I really don't know what the problem is, it might be something serious I don't know anything about," says Kottwitz.
Three people stood, and spoke out in favor of Thallemer. Then, everyone waited outside while the board discussed the president's future in closed session. Nearly two hours later the board voted. It said Thallemer resigned "to pursue other career opportunities in the field of higher education." But still, the board wouldn't say why the man so many students and staff loved...left.
Dorris Reynolds, Board Chair, couldn't answer many questions because it's a personnell matter that has to stay confidential. "We worked very closely and tried to have every opportunity to work with him. I can answer some other questions later," says Reynolds.
But those questions are leaving some at the college, unsatisfied. Shane Rogers, instructor, says "it's really sad.The morale here couldn't be lower. I don't know what's gonna happen from here."
The board did say it wishes Thallemer well, but wouldn't say if it was satisfied with his job performance, or if it did something to push him away. They just brought him on about a year ago, and now they'll have to find someone else for the job. In the meantime, the four vice presidents of the college will run things.
