Trustees are expected to announce the hire Wedneday during a public meeting at 9 a.m.
Trustees are expected to announce the hire Wednesday during a public meeting at 9 a.m.
A unanimous vote is expected, according to the source, who said trustees see Engler as a “decisive leader” capable of improving communication and leading the university through “chaos on campus” resulting from the Nassar scandal.
Engler, a Republican, will hold the interim post while trustees conduct a longer national search for a permanent president, a position the former governor is not seeking.
Former President Lou Anna Simon and Athletic Director Mark Hollis resigned last week, capping off one of the most tumultuous periods in university history.
A Detroit News investigation found that 14 staff members at MSU were notified of sexual abuse allegations involving Nassar over two decades. Simon learned of a Title IX complaint and police report against an unnamed sports doctor in 2014 but said she never received a copy.
Former Engler press secretary John Truscott was reached Monday and discussed the possibility of the former governor becoming MSU’s next leader.
“We’ve talked about it, how sad the situation is. Of course, he would have definite ideas about how to fix it. He always does.”
“He’s certainly not seeking it. He told me that if they come calling, he’s plenty busy. But he told me he has a love of the university, and I’m sure he would help any way he could.”
Reaction to Engler’s pending hire was mixed, earning praise from some observers but criticism from a Nassar victim who helped expose the scandal by taking her accusations public in September 2016.
“I am disappointed and dismayed that the Board would select a political insider with close ties to MSU and MSU insiders at a point we most critically need outside leadership and accountability,” said Rachael Denhollander.
“The Board made great statements about outside accountability, but when they act, it’s clear it is business as usual, institution before the victims. We need a truly outside perspective, and Engler is the polar opposite of that.”
In a statement Tuesday, state House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, called Engler “the right choice” to serve as interim MSU president. Leonard, who is seeking the GOP nomination for state attorney general, was the first high-ranking public official to call for Simon’s resignation, which he did in December.
Engler is “a strong leader with a proven track record of reform, and the school needs someone who is able to come in from the outside, stand up to the status quo and make immediate changes,” Leonard said. “I look forward to working with the interim president on new reforms that will better protect women, the students at MSU and the local community.”
Engler, 69, served as Michigan governor from 1991 to 2003.
Engler retired in February 2017 after heading the Business Roundtable in Washington, D. C. Engler graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1970 and earned a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1985.
Former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, a Democrat, also was in consideration for the interim president post. He may serve the university in some new capacity, but his role is not expected to be part of Wednesday’s board announcement.
joosting@detroitnews.com
