Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday nominated Edward McMillan, a 1969 graduate of the College of ACES, to fill the vacant spot on the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the entire UI system and had an open seat after former trustee Bob Sperling’s term expired Jan. 18. The Illinois State Senate needs to approve the appointment before McMillan can fill the vacancy.

“I’m very honored and very humbled about being selected,” McMillan said.

McMillan was nominated by the governor March 12 and received confirmation Tuesday. Because the appointment is not yet official, Michelle Thomas, secretary of the Board, could not confirm the appointment.

McMillan said he plans on seeing the University of Illinois through its current budget crisis.

“The University’s been through challenging times before, but you just tighten your belt and do what is best,” he said, adding that he’s very concerned about bringing financial resources to all three UI campuses.

McMillan is from Greenville, Ill., but usually makes it to Urbana at least once a month either for work or an athletic event.

He said he’s very involved with all three campuses because of his involvement in the Research Park. He is a chair for the Research Park and was formerly involved in the UI Alumni Association.

He spent 28 years working at Purina Mills Inc. and spent his later years there as president and CEO.