In an emotional and anticipatory meeting, Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees officially named Neil MacKinnon the 16th president of CMU. It came after an unanimous vote on Thursday, Sept. 26.

CMU President Bob Davies congratulated the new incoming president and said that serving this university’s community has been an honor.

“I truly welcome as well as wish you all the success,” Davies told MacKinnon. “Personally, I have had a true joy serving Central Michigan University for the past six-and-a-half years. It is our home, and it will continue to be our home.”

According to his biography from CMU, MacKinnon has over 25 years of experience in higher education, serving as a “super provost” at Augusta University and dean of the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati.

His research interests are in health policy, rural health, patient safety and community pharmacy; and he has held teaching and research roles in these fields at AU, UC, the University of Arizona and Dalhousie University.

During his time as provost at AU, MacKinnon supported the expansion of the university’s Medical School of Georgia into Savannah. In a press conference, he voiced support for the $200 million construction and relocation of CMU’s College of Medicine in Saginaw.

“Healthcare education is certainly a sweet spot for me, both practicing and having seen patients in the past,” MacKinnon said. “So I’m very supportive of the move. I know there is still a lot of work to be done to have a successful completion."

Davies said that the college appears to be “well on the way to a successful fundraising campaign” for the funds needed to complete this project. In his report, Trustee Edward Plawecki shared that the college has raised around $29 million in the past year, a record high for the university.

When asked what his first steps as the new president would be, MacKinnon said he wants to become more acclimated with the communities within and around CMU and maintain the university’s strategic plan before making any major decisions.

“The first little bit would be reaching out, whether it’s folks in Saginaw or Midland or Bay City or across the entire state,” MacKinnon said. “President Davies, as well as the board, gave an update on their strategic plan. The plan is only 1 year old. So, for me coming in as a new president, the worst thing I could do is say 'OK, let's rip that up and start all over again.'"

MacKinnon will begin his role as president on Nov. 1 and serve as a faculty member for the College of Medicine in the future.

CMU faculty and alumni's reactions to MacKinnon

After the meeting, MacKinnon was treated to a bagpiper who escorted him to Powers Hall, where he had the opportunity to meet with CMU’s administrators, alumni and some faculty and staff.

Some members said they were excited to see what direction MacKinnon will take as the university’s new president. Others said it was too soon to comment on MacKinnon but are hopeful for CMU’s future with the presidential change

Tyler Zimmerman is the former student body president and served on the presidential search committee. He said that Neil was a great choice and is hopeful that he serve well as the next president.

“He has a lot of great plans to make this campus successful,” Zimmerman said. “(He has plans) to raise enrollment, to raise donations and to just make CMU as successful as it can possibly be.”

Kristina Bow is an executive office specialist for campus’s auxiliary services and an alumna. She said that just seeing MacKinnon's background, she is excited for what perspective he will bring to the university.

“I’m excited about it,” she said. “He’s got a different perspective. I know he has a history in pharmacy. He’s got a couple schools he has been at. He is a young guy. He seems really excited to be here. … Mostly he seems excited to be here.”

President Davies delivers his final report

During his last board meeting as president, Davies shared that CMU has seen its first increase in year-over-year student population.

“After three ... consecutive years of increased freshman and transfer class sizes, I’m thrilled to announce that for the first time in a decade, overall enrollment at Central Michigan University is up over the last year,” Davies said.

According to Davies’s report, there are currently 14,463 students enrolled at CMU this semester, an increase from last year’s 14,423.

“In a increasingly competitive field, we increased our student body population and we did so without, I want to be very clear, without compromising our academic standards,” Davies said. “While other institutions lowered the requirements for admission, as well as for retention, we stayed consistent and recruited and retained an outstanding group of learners, scholars and leaders.”

Near the end of the meeting, Board Chair Todd Regis complimented Davies on his work during his time as president.

“Over the past six years, you led and helped CMU overcome numerous challenges,” Regis said. “The Covid-19 Pandemic (and) turned around our enrollment. We are grateful that you are going to serve and (for) your offer to assist Dr. MacKinnon after Nov. 1.”

Davies will serve as an advisor after MacKinnon assumes his new role and will be joining CMU as a faculty member.

First public comment from former Provost Nancy Mathews since her abrupt resignation

Regis read a written statement from former Provost and Executive Vice President Nancy Mathews, who abruptly resigned Sept. 10 and was replaced by the university’s current Interim Provost Paula Lancaster.

This is the first communication from the former provost since her resignation.

“It's with great pride and sense of accomplishment that I conclude my term as Central Michigan University’s provost and executive vice president,” Mathews wrote. “It was my honor and privilege to work closely with a talented group of vice provost, academic vice presidents, deans, faculty and staff, students and president to advance the academic mission of the university.”

She concluded the written statement by encouraging the university to “invest in the vision” of this institution and congratulated Lancaster on her new appointment.

“Thank you for a wonderful two years that have enriched me, both professionally and personally, and with great gratitude,” she stated.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe deliver their official flag and ceremonial medicine bundle

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe opened the meeting by delivering its official national flag as requested by the board of trustees.

“When I first heard about this request, it brought a tremendous point of satisfaction to not only the tribal council when I talked with them but also the Saginaw Chippewa community,” said Public Relations Director for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Eric Rodriguez. “It's just another step in showing the partnership between Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.”

Rodriguez is also a CMU alumnus.

The board also received a bundle of ceremonial medicine that holds great value to the tribe's heritage and history. This bundle included sweetgrass, sage, tobacco and cedar. The herbs were grown in the tribe’s Elijah Elks Cultural Center Seventh Generation Program.

Davies said that it is an honor to continue this partnership.

“Thank so much for your attention to this partnership and all of your support,” Davies said.