In 1995 when Stukel was only the second alumnus to become UI president, he had huge shoes to fill — those of the successful and charismatic Stanley O. Ikenberry, HON '02.

But it's likely no one had higher expectations of Stukel than Stukel himself. From his perspective, the first four years were exhilarating. The last half has been more difficult because of financial troubles and other pressures.

When Stukel talks about his accomplishments as president, he rarely, if ever, uses the word "I."

"We've done some transformational things in terms of private giving, research productivity, new buildings, student quality and student satisfaction and faculty quality," he said, "and I think we can legitimately say that we've worked together, and we've enhanced the reputation of the University of Illinois. I think that's true."

John Foreman '77 COM, publisher of The (Champaign-Urbana) News-Gazette, said he doesn't know how anyone could come up with another Jim Stukel.

"He really cared about the institution, and I never heard anybody question his commitment or his desire to make this a really great University," Foreman said of Stukel. "And I don't know how you go about finding that, to be honest. You can get tremendous presidential candidates from other places, but how do you know you've got one that can really internalize the institution?"

Stukel's commitment has also been evident in his monthly meetings with the Senate's Conference, comprising 20 faculty members from the three UI campuses.

"They are brilliant people who think about things deeply," he said. "Why wouldn't you want to go to them and have a very candid conversation, in confidence, by the way, and seek their advice? Why wouldn't you?

"That's what distinguishes a university from a corporation, and it's what distinguishes a great university from a mediocre one. Faculty input and faculty governance and shared governance are very important to me. Faculty are the heart and soul of a university; it's not the administration, it isn't the board, it's the faculty, and what we're supposed to do is support what they do."

Another hallmark of Stukel's presidency is Illinois Connection, a legislative advocacy and public engagement program he initiated. He's visited more than 50 communities, logging more than 250,000 miles and visiting 80 of the state's 102 counties. Those visits sometimes begin with a guest-shot on the local radio, then continue with a farm leaders' breakfast, lunch with Rotary, an Extension office visit, a meeting with legislators and community leaders, a community college tour, a conference with the newspaper editorial board and cocktails with alumni.

"We wiped the tables and put our best tablecloths on because the president was coming," Extension educator Linda Crawl Jackson recalled of a Stukel visit to a training center in East St. Louis. "And he came, and he just talked to us like we meant something. He made us feel like we were important. It empowered us."

"[Stukel's] able to wear many hats well, and I think that he has touched a large number of people," said Judy Babb Troxell '92 BUS, EDM '96, director of Illinois Connection. "His outreach has been very ... important in putting a face on the institution."

Now, as Stukel winds down his presidency, he is studying a book titled "Don't Retire, REWIRE!" He and Joan have purchased a new sailboat - she's the captain, he does the grunt work — and he feels he can look back at his presidency with a sense of accomplishment.

"I'm proud of the fact that we have been able to set goals, and by-and-by we've been able to achieve [them]," he said. "It's an internal satisfaction that I'm very proud of."

Urbana banker, community leader and UI Foundation board member Ed Scharlau '66 BUS, MS '68 BUS, PHD '74 BUS said Stukel will stack up as a survivor.

"He took over the University when basically things were going pretty well," Scharlau said. "And the last few years with funding and with the position the governor has taken in relationship to the University and the Board of Trustees have presented some very difficult situations for him.

"I think he's always handled these very difficult situations in a very smooth, non-confrontational way, which is not easy," Scharlau said.

Foreman agrees that the era of Stukel's presidency has been challenging. "But I think Jim Stukel handled it with some measure of grace and always with an air of dignity," Foreman said. "It seemed to me he always projected the level of affection and commitment he felt for the institution."

Stukel laughed when asked about his crowning achievement, quipping, "surviving." But he quickly got serious and said that would be for others to decide.

One thing is certain. Stukel leaves the presidency with his loyalty and appreciation for the University of Illinois intact. He is convinced the University is a treasure which must not be mishandled, taken for granted or abused.

And he also leaves with every bit of the practicality and work ethic that his parents instilled in him six decades ago.

For all of his education and opportunities, Stukel said he never felt smarter than his dad.

"My father had a real gift for numbers," Stukel said. "He could do things in his head that were remarkable, and my mother was extremely sharp until the day she died. They were limited in terms of their experience, but they were really bright.

"My parents had good common sense," he said, "and they were smart."

History, in all probability, will write that as Stukel's legacy as well.

Mabry '81 COM is the assistant director in the UI Office of University Relations.