July 24, 2020
Dear colleagues:
I write to share the bittersweet news that Tom Hardy will retire in January after nearly two decades as executive director of the Office for University Relations.
Tom is perhaps best known as chief spokesman for the U of I System, a public-facing role he has served under six presidents and seven board chairs. His steady hand, 18 years of institutional knowledge and a passion for our missions have helped us tell our story, and have helped lift our richly deserved standing as a global leader in education and innovation.
But his contributions run much deeper. Tom oversees an office that directs all system communications, from news releases to informational emails for faculty and staff, and processes more than 1,000 requests every year under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. His team also manages the system’s growing online and social media presence, and launched marketing efforts that are expanding awareness of our achievements, our excellence and our value to both students and the public good.
Tom’s time with us followed a long, distinguished career in journalism, government and public affairs. For nearly 20 years, he was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, where his work included traveling with candidates to cover presidential campaigns. He moved on to serve as press secretary under former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar during the last two years of his term, and later was a managing director of public affairs for Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm.
A national search for a replacement will begin soon, and we hope to identify a successor in time to allow some overlap with Tom to facilitate a smooth transition.
Tom was one of my very first contacts after I was named president 5 ½ years ago, and has been a trusted advisor and valued colleague ever since. I hope you will join me in wishing him the very best as his retirement nears, and thanking him for his loyal service to this great university system.
Sincerely,
Tim
