President Nugent to Give Keynote at Illinois Wesleyan President's Convocation

Aug. 29, 2019

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Wesleyan University Interim President Georgia Nugent will give the keynote address at next week's President's Convocation, replacing author Michael Shermer.

The decision follows concerns brought to the University's attention about multiple public allegations related to Shermer's conduct.

"These allegations in the aggregate represent a troubling pattern that challenges the mission of our institution," Nugent said.

As the new president, Nugent said she especially welcomes the opportunity to address the first gathering of the full campus community in the new academic year. Nugent will explore the value and complexity of searching for truth, in connection with the University's annual intellectual theme, Fact or Fiction, as well as discuss aspirations for the year ahead.

The Convocation will be Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. in Presser Hall’s Westbrook Auditorium (1210 N. Park St., Bloomington).

Nugent is leading Illinois Wesleyan while the University conducts a national search for its 20th president, to succeed Eric Jensen who retired in May.