College of Lake County Chariman withdraws from presidential race

About 300 faculty members, students and others jammed a College of Lake County meeting room Thursday, ready to fight the idea of the school's elected board chairman becoming its next president.

But the potential fireworks fizzled when William Griffin told the crowd at a special forum he removed himself as the lone candidate for the top administrative post.

Leading up to the forum, CLC's teachers union and faculty senate leaders were critical of Griffin's candidacy. The leaders complained of a conflict of interest if Griffin negotiated his potential appointment as president with fellow board members.

Griffin, 54, of Lake Forest, said he heard the grousing and decided Wednesday night to continue his role as CLC board chairman.

"We don't need that type of turmoil," he said.

Griffin was in line to replace Richard Fonte, the target of frequent faculty criticism since assuming the presidency in January 2006. He resigned last month.

CLC board Vice Chairman Richard A. Anderson said he expects officials to discuss beginning a search process for president in September. It's expected faculty and students will be solicited for opinions when that hunt begins.

Anderson said the CLC board must determine how to avoid a long and cumbersome search. Fonte turned out to be a poor fit, despite a lengthy hiring process, he said.

"Everything is in play," Anderson said. "We're open to everything."

Griffin's business acumen and passion for CLC were cited by supporters as reasons he would have been a good president. He is chief operating officer and key adviser for XTnrgy of Illinois.

Opposition to a Griffin presidency was visible in the third-floor meeting room in CLC's technology building. One sign read: "CLC: Reputation Down the Toilet?"

Thomas Arnold, a CLC professor of criminal justice, said he wasn't satisfied with Griffin's announcement. He said the idea never should have been on the table.

"This was not a shining example of good government or a good decision," Arnold said.

CLC counselor Dave Ross, a longtime faculty member, said the school should hire a longtime interim president because recent controversies will deter good permanent candidates from applying right now.

"There has to be a great deal of healing here," Ross said.

Griffin served on CLC's board from 1995 to 2001 and was elected to another six-year term in 2003.

Some in Thursday's crowd said they had nothing against Griffin, but were upset about how the CLC board didn't involve faculty members in the process that made him the sole candidate.