MSU Trustees Appoint Temporary President

LANSING, MI – Trustees at the Michigan State University have appointed the university's vice president and board secretary to serve as acting president. Bill Beekman is now responsible for all duties as university president, trustees said in a statement on Friday.

The board also formally accepted the resignation of Lou Anna Simon, who gave notice of her resignation on Thursday, amid the scandal surrounding the sexual abuse case of Michigan State sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar. The doctor was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for molesting girls and young women during routine examinations.

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Beekman has served as vice president and secretary of the board since 2008. His duties included administrative responsibilities for board meetings, university ordinances, policies and courtesies. Previously, he served as executive director of the MSU Alumni Association.

“I’m honored to serve, for a short period of time, as the acting president of MSU,” Beekman said. “I look forward to helping this great university during this time of transition.”

The board will work to identify an interim president as expeditiously as possible and immediately begin the national search process for a permanent president, the board said in a statement.

Photo courtesy of the Michigan State University