Dr. Craig Dean Willis served EMU as president from August 2004 to
July 2005. The University community is grateful to Dr. Willis for
his outstanding service and leadership, and for setting the stage
for the coming years at EMU.
The City of Ypsilanti also benefitted from
Dr. Willis' outreach and person-centered leadership. The City's
mayor and council declared Tuesday, July 19, 2005 to be "Dr.
Craig Willis Day."
In honor of Dr. Craig Willis Day, the following
proclamation was presented at the City Council meeting.
Whereas Dr. Craig Willis was selected by
the Board of Regents to become Interim President of Eastern Michigan
University in August 2004. He and his wife Dr. Marilyn Willis came
to us by way of Wright State University and Lockhaven University,
arriving on our campus August 16th, 2004 with just their suitcases,
and
Whereas President Willis found himself
in an atmosphere of turmoil that had been created by circumstances
surrounding the building of University House and other failures
of trust and communication. He immediately began to meet with students,
faculty and community leaders in order to bridge these gaps. President
Willis had the chain link construction fence removed from around
University House, symbolizing his embrace of the neighborhood and
of the City. He made University House available to various groups
for events so that everyone would begin to feel the pride of ownership
of this beautiful public facility, and
Whereas during the ensuing year President Willis
continued to be visible and accessible, putting students first.
He was frequently seen walking the Campus, talking with students,
and earned their respect and admiration to the point that they expressed
their hopes during the Presidential search process that the next
permanent President of EMU would be “Willis-like,” and
Whereas President Willis stepped into tense
union contract negotiations with faculty, and helped to avert a
strike. Terms were agreed upon the day that fall classes were to
begin in 2004. President Willis continued to meet with faculty,
to discuss ongoing issues, and to keep his promises to fill open
positions, and
Whereas President
Willis continued to support important town/gown initiatives that had been
begun by his predecessor, including joint committees working on issues
such as students in the community, safety, and signage. He encouraged continuation
of the COPC grant, which produced an alliance between Youth and Seniors
that has been rewarding for all and instrumental in keeping the doors open
at the Ypsilanti Senior Center, and
Whereas on President Willis’s
watch, there were big successes such as the championship season for
the Women’s Basketball team, and big disappointments such as
the failure of Lansing legislators to recognize and address the dire
need for funding for capital improvements to classroom facilities
such as the Pray-Harrold building. He has also enjoyed singing in
the male vocal group Measure for Measure while in Ypsilanti, and
Whereas John Fallon has just been chosen
to be the 21st President of Eastern Michigan University, and will
begin his tenure this week.
Now, therefore, I, Cheryl C. Farmer,
the Mayor of the City of Ypsilanti, on behalf of the City Council
do hereby declare Tuesday July 19, 2005 as “Dr. Craig Willis
Day” in the City of Ypsilanti, and salute him as he departs
for bringing his wisdom, honesty and determination to our campus
at a time when we really needed it. We thank him for his friendship,
and wish him and his wife Marilyn the very best as they return to
their retirement home overlooking the Susquehanna River.
