Staff and faculty members at The University of Memphis said Thursday they're saddened by the idea of losing Dr. J. Ivan Legg, the University's Provost who has accepted a new position as executive vice president and provost at Northern Illinois University.
Legg has held the position of provost since 1992 when he was hired by former president of The U of M V. Lane Rawlins, who left last year to accept the presidency of Washington State University. Legg will receive a reported $42,500 pay raise by accepting the position at NIU. Currently at The U of M, he makes $157,500 a year.
Faculty and staff at The U of M who have worked with Legg said he has made a lasting impression on the staff as provost.
"I have been his assistant since he has been here, and he has been a delightful person to work with," said Iris Lagrone, Legg's assistant. "He's easygoing, kind and helpful. He's just a great boss and we are all going to miss him. Everybody who comes in sees what a good person he is. He is just a generally good person."
Interim president Ralph Faudree, who has worked with Legg for several years, said The University will be at a loss once Legg leaves.
"I hate to see him leave," Faudree said. "I think he has done a great job for The University. I found him to be very supportive and helpful. I wish him the best as he moves to a new position. I can understand why someone leaves if they have new opportunity, but I think it is a loss to The University."
Dr. James Penrod, vice president of information systems, said he has worked very closely with Legg for over five years.
"He and I worked to bring more technology into the classrooms," Penrod said. "We are working to have better technological facilities for faculty and students and have had some success with it. He is a very good person to work with in that regard."
The departure of Legg, however, did not come as a surprise to the staff members who worked closely with him.
"I have known that he has been looking at other positions since Dr. Rawlins left, so I can't say that I was shocked by his leaving," Penrod said.
"He had been recruited from other universities for quite some time," Faudree said.
Legg is expected to leave The University of Memphis by late June. He was out of town Thursday and unavailable for comment.
