Steger Honored As Visionary CEO

UC president Joseph A. Steger will be honored with the Chief Executive Leadership Award at the annual assembly of CASE, The Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, to be held in San Francisco in July.

The award recognizes the success of higher education presidents, chancellors, or system heads in creating a vision, inspiring others, establishing a positive image for their institution, increasing the institution's stature in the community, and encouraging innovation and risk-taking. CASE honors eight chief executives each year, one for each of its regional districts. Steger is the 2001 recipient for CASE District V, which includes the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

The nominees for the award represent a "truly exceptional pool of visionary CEOs," according Jennifer Hamlin Church of Siena Heights University. Steger's successful nomination, she said, was based on the diversity of his accomplishments in fund raising, faculty support, teaching and learning, finance, campus development, neighborhood redevelopment, and community health care delivery.

"The University's impressive advances under your watch are a tribute to your presidency," Hamlin Church wrote to Steger. "The impact of your leadership has been felt not only within the University but also well beyond your campus, as you have strengthened and extended a solid 'town-gown' partnership."

Benjamin Gettler, chairman of the UC Board of Trustees, nominated Steger for the award. Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken, business and community leaders, submitted support letters along with UC vice presidents, deans, faculty and students.