U of I names presidential search committee

URBANA, Ill. - University of Illinois trustees have named a 19-member search committee to look for President Robert Easter's replacement.

Easter plans to retire in June 2015. The university has said it hopes to have a replacement selected by January.

Trustees on Friday named a committee that includes three of their own, Pam Strobel, James Montgomery and Ricardo Estrada. Strobel will chair the committee

It also includes eight faculty members from the university's three campuses and three students.

Alumni and staff members fill the five remaining spots.

The committee will interview candidates and present a list of between eight and 10 finalists to the board.

In 2012 Easter replaced Michael Hogan, who resigned under pressure from faculty who were unhappy over his plans for the university.