Editor’s note: This article is a part of The Daily Illini’s Semester in Review issue. Regular publication will resume Friday, Jan. 11.

Robert Easter has been a member of the University community for 40 years. Aside from attending the University as a graduate student, he has held a number of leadership positions, including the dean of the College of ACES and interim chancellor.

So when former University President Michael Hogan announced his resignation amid growing concerns about his leadership in March, Hogan immediately recommended Easter to take over his position, board of trustees’ chairman Christopher Kennedy said .

“Basically, I said, ‘You (Hogan) can’t quit until you find your replacement’ because we didn’t want to leave the University without somebody in charge,” he said.

The board held an emergency meeting the day after Hogan announced his resignation, during which Easter’s appointment was approved. University officials responded warmly to this change in leadership.

“(Easter) is a leader with a vision and a passion, while also a good listener who will cultivate the best ideas across campuses to move our great University forward,” said Don Chambers, University Senates Conference member.

After working with Hogan, as well as the University’s vice presidents and chancellors, throughout the spring 2012 semester, Easter cited a “smooth transition” from president-designate to the full position. Easter’s official two-year term began July 1. To continue acclimating to his new role, he said he was continuing to familiarize himself with all three campuses.

With multiple administrative turnovers in recent years, Easter said at the start of the Fall 2012 semester that one of his main goals was to develop and keep a sense of stability at the University.

But stability is not the only thing he hoped to smooth out during his tenure. In an extensive interview with The Daily Illini, Easter said one of his biggest concerns was the University’s budget and increasing tuition.

At the board of trustees meeting in November, Easter said he thinks it is the University’s responsibility to keep education affordable and accessible. Tuition costs have more than doubled since 2002 to compensate for a lack of revenue from the state, Easter said.

“Access is truly one of the attributes that defines the land-grant university,” he said at the meeting. “Sustaining accessibility for all young people, all who desire to enroll and are qualified to, is something that’s truly important.”

The board will make a recommendation for tuition for the 2013-14 academic year in January.

Student trustee David Pileski said that as he has gotten to know Easter better, he has become even more confident in his ability as president, stating that his dedication to the institution makes him an exceptional leader.

“(Easter) has a strong devotion to his students,” Pileski said. “He wants them to have the best experience possible.”

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].