Bainter Out at WIU

Tri States Public Radio | By Rich Egger

Published May 28, 2019 at 3:25 PM CDT

Rich Egger

A long-time administrator at Western Illinois University has left the institution. A spokesperson is saying little about his departure.

Brad Bainter worked at Western for more than 35 years. He served as the school’s Vice President for Advancement and Public Services the past nine years. He was also Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation.

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Tri States Public Radio obtained an email Bainter sent Tuesday:

This morning I was asked to retire effective at the end of the month. I refused. I was then terminated without cause effective today. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your service to Western. Your friendship has meant so much to me that I could never put it into words. Your service has been invaluable to Western. I am sure I will continue to see many of you throughout the coming years.

Go Leathernecks!

Sincerely,

Brad Bainter

Vice President, Advancement and Public Services

Executive Officer, WIU Foundation

Bainter served in other administrative roles through the years and he was often present at university functions and events.

Bainter earned his master's and bachelor's degrees from Western and he played for the school’s basketball team.

A university spokesperson confirmed that Bainter is no longer at the university but declined to offer any further comment, calling it a personnel matter.

Bainter is not the first administrator to leave Western in the past year. Interim Provost Kathy Neumann, Vice President for Student Services Ron Williams, and Budget Director Matt Bierman are among those who have also left.

Later in the day the university issued a news release to announce organizational changes being made by President Jack Thomas:

With the departure of the Vice President for Advancement and Public Services, the vice presidential position has been eliminated. Foundation and Development responsibilities will be overseen by a Senior Executive Director of Development. As Advancement and Public Services and Marketing provide University-wide functions and services, those areas will now report directly to the President. All employees in these units will retain employment.