University Counsel Byron Higgins has announced plans to step down from his
current post at the UI and assume two new titles in the near future.
Higgins, who has been the university's chief legal officer and an officer
of the UI Board of Trustees since 1984, will become a senior fellow in the
Institute of Government and Public Affairs and a special assistant to the
president. The change will occur upon the selection of a successor to be
university counsel.
"I look forward to applying what I have learned in 40 years of involvement
with universities to the study of policy issues in governmental affairs,"
Higgins said. "Like so many others, I am deeply indebted to public
universities for the opportunities that flowed from the education that I
received. I am gratified that President Stukel also has asked me to continue
to assist him at the university."
Higgins joined the UI in October 1984. He succeeded James J. Costello, who
retired.
"Byron's legal expertise and high ethical standards have greatly benefited
both the university and the board of trustees for more than a decade,"
said UI President James J. Stukel. "He is the kind of person who makes
a difference in everything he does. Having him remain as a special assistant
means I can look forward to continuing to receive his advice on a variety
of key university issues."
Higgins, regarded by colleagues in the legal community as an outstanding
lawyer, was associate general counsel at Michigan State University from
1978 to 1984. He served as general counsel and was on the law school faculty
at Wayne State University from 1973 to 1978.
Higgins is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Association
of College and University Attorneys, the Illinois and Champaign County bar
associations, the Law Club of Chicago and other professional organizations.
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