IN THIS ISSUE:
Meet Joe White | Within Their Reach

FEATURE STORY (continued) — March/April 2005

Meet Joe White ...

B. Joseph White, who became the University of Illinois president on Jan. 31, B. Joseph White, who became the University of Illinois president on Jan. 31, shares a light moment with Mary, his wife of 35 years. Before joining the University, White was the Wilbur K. Pierpont Collegiate Professor, business administration and research professor in the Life Science Institute at the University of Michigan. He also served as dean of U-M's College of Business Administration (1991-2001) and as the university's interim president (2002).

Interwoven Futures
President White comments on how a university and its alumni interrelate

"Our alumni are vital members of our extended family. They are critical to the future of the University of Illinois. But I also want to [stress] that I think an excellent University is critical to our alumni's future. I've always said that where you go to school is arguably the most important investment decision you make in your lifetime because it's a decision with which you live the rest of your life. If you buy a stock and [decide later] it's not such a great [investment], you [can] sell it. You can't do that with your education.

"When the University of Illinois performs well and improves its stature in the world, our alumni benefit. They are lifetime stakeholders in the University. So our alumni are critical to our future, and the University is critical to their future. Our futures are interwoven."