The Governors State University (GSU) community gathered on Feb. 7 to honor President Cheryl Green at a retirement banquet.
The event punctuated the end of her four-year tenure at GSU and more than 30 years in education. The banquet, which included food, entertainment, and well-wishes, was followed the same evening by a celebration and fundraiser at The Odyssey Venue in Tinley Park.
Green thanked the board of trustees for hiring her for the position four years ago. “They took a chance on me and allowed me to come here and soar and plant seeds.”
Reflecting on her time at GSU, Green emphasized the importance of continuing the work they had started together.
GSU’s first African American president, Green arrived in 2020 amid the pandemic. During her tenure, she worked to elevate the university’s visibility and create historic opportunities, including:
- Establishing partnerships for a Juris Doctorate.
- Creating a Social Justice Initiative to address barriers to social mobility.
- Founding a Latinx Resource Center.
- Securing the university’s most significant private donation.
- Creating the Honors College and College of Graduate Studies.
- Establishing the first Black Greek-lettered organization on campus (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Upsilon Rho Chapter).
“I congratulate you on a very successful career,” said Jim Kvedaras, chair of the GSU Board of Trustees.
He told the crowd that Green and her “crack team of education professionals have made dramatic strides toward making GovState a force to be reckoned with in the Southland and far beyond.”
Green expressed gratitude for the GSU community’s support in her address.
“I thank the faculty and the staff, and of course, they don’t like this, but my babies,” she said of the students. “And what that means is, it’s not me being ageist; it’s me acknowledging that there is love in my heart for you and your dreams and successes.”
The Feb. 7 fundraiser proceeds went to the Dr. Cheryl F. Green Scholarship for Societal Impact. The scholarship, established to honor Green’s lifelong commitment to public service, equity, social mobility, access and opportunity will benefit selected GSU students.
Green’s retirement will begin officially on March 1.
The Board of Trustees has narrowed the search for Green’s replacement to three candidates:
- Joyce Ester, president of Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota
- Daniel Lopez, president of Harold Washington College in Chicago
- Christopher Reber, president of Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, New Jersey
On-campus interviews will take place between Feb. 10 and 21.
