EIU Media Relations

Manion Resigns As EIU Trustee

Robert Manion has submitted his letter of resignation from Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees, effective immediately, citing "business and personal reasons" for his decision.

The Hinsdale resident, who was appointed to the university's governing board in April 2001 by former Gov. George Ryan, replaced Carl P. Koerner, former BOT chair, who passed away on Jan. 20, 2001. It will now be up to Gov. Rod Blagojevich to choose a successor for Manion. Appointments are made by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.

It is unknown how long the process will take.

During Manion's two-year-plus tenure as a EIU trustee, he served as chairman of the university's Presidential Search Advisory Committee, as a member of the Board of Trustees' Financial Committee and as vice chairman of Eastern's Board of Trustees (2002-2003 school year).

In addition, Manion served as a member of Eastern's Alumni Association's Board of Directors (1998-2003), and was president from July 2001 to June 2003. He remains a member of the association.

"Bob's considerable expertise in business and finance matters provided the board and university administration great insight into various business and financial practices," said Interim President Louis V. Hencken.

Manion is a retired partner of Accenture LLP, where his career spanned 31 years and included several international assignments. Between 1989 and 1997, he was a member of the Global Management Council, chairman of the World Wide Investment Committee and a member of the World Wide Partners Income Committee.

In 1996, he assumed the position of chief financial officer of Accenture's Global Enterprise Group and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1997. He currently serves on the board of directors of BioMedix, Inc., as well as on the advisory board of Wall Street Management & Capital, Inc., and CDTC, Inc.

Manion earned his bachelor of science degree in business from Eastern in 1966, and has served on the School of Business' Accountancy Advisory Board.