Episode 39: Dr. Aondover Tarhule
John Twork 0:09
Welcome to Redbird Buzz. I'm John Twork from University Marketing and Communications. Rachel Kobus from alumni engagement will be along later in the episode. Our guest today is Dr. Aondover Tarhule, the 21st president of Illinois State University, Dr. Tarhule arrived at Illinois State in August of 2020 to serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, a role he held until becoming interim president in February of 23. And this past March, Illinois state's Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Tarhule as the university's permanent president following a national search. Born and raised in Nigeria, President Tarhule is a first generation college student who holds a PhD in geography, and has more than 27 years of higher education experience and faculty, staff and administrative roles. You can read more about President Tarhule in this spring's issue of STATE magazine. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that President Tarhule is our first two time guest in 39 episodes of Redbird Buzz, our listeners may remember our great conversation with then Provost Tarhule back in 2022.
It's our pleasure to welcome back newly appointed president, Dr. Aondover Tarhule to Redbird buzz. What's the word Redbird President Tarhule? Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your journey to Illinois State?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 1:40
Thank you so much, John. I'm really excited for this opportunity to chat with you again, as you said, my journey I think part of it is what you captured in your intro. I was born and raised in Nigeria studied geography for my first degree, and then went to Canada for my graduate degrees, master's in geography and PhD. Then I went to the University of Oklahoma, where I was started my academic career there as an assistant professor. After about 17 years, I moved to SUNY Binghamton, the State University of New York, in Binghamton, where I was dean of the graduate school and vice provost. So I came here in 2020, as you said, and I've loved every minute of it since then.
John Twork 2:37
we've loved having you. At the Board of Trustees meeting last month, in which you were appointed president, you recognize several influential people throughout your journey. And what really stood out to me your Father, who you described as an illiterate peasant farmer in Nigeria, who has the prescience to understand the transformative power of education and encouraged and supported his children with every ounce of his will and resources. Tell me more about your father and his influence on you?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 3:08
Well, my father is exactly the way I described him in that quote. He'd never went to school at all, not even one day of formal education. And he was a peasant farmer, by which I mean, here, when you think about a farmer, you probably think of someone who has, you know, a huge John Deere, and Caterpillar, and all those things to help in farming. Well, in Africa, in the rural levels, a lot of farmers don't have any equipment or technology at all. Sometimes I joke with people by saying, I was my father's John Deere, anytime anything that had to be done, we did it manually. So he never went to school at all. But for whatever reason, he was a big proponent of education, and his children going to school, so I went to school. That's the one thing I remember my father ever being upset about. If you didn't stay focused in school, you didn't get good grades. In almost every other area, he let us be. But I also remember very critically, we used to have other thing we still do in Nigeria, a program called the National Youth Service. So when you graduate from college, you have to serve for one year in this national program. So at the end of that year, I actually got a job where I was working, and I was very excited by this and I told my dad, okay, I've got a job here. He and I had never really had any conversations about what I would do after school. So when I got this job, I told him, I got this job and he said, What do you mean you've got a job? They're gonna pay me to work. He said, no you got to go to school. Gotta go. Keep going to school. Oh, he didn't know what the next level of school was. He knew nothing about masters or PhDs. But they said, You have to keep going to school until there's no more school. That was the best he could understand. And so when I eventually got my PhD at McMaster University, I told him, I think there's no more school. And he was really excited about that. So I still--he passed away in 2014. So if there's any regret at all that I have, if there's anything at all that has dampened my excitement about this opportunity I have here is that he didn't live long enough to see me get to this level. But he played a really critical role. He--many of my brothers are educated. But he was a one person each time I went home, would sit me down and ask about my research, while I was doing my research at the time in dendrochronology. So you're saying three rings to reconstruct climate? There was no way I could describe that to him in my native native tongue. But he would want to know, why are you doing that? Who else is doing that? What are you going to do with that? That level of interest that he showed? And how curious he was, nobody has, you know, has shown that so I truly, sincerely do, owe everything I've been able to accomplish to him.
John Twork 6:34
here you are, you've really been in school for 30 years now. Right? Literally
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 6:39
all my life all the way to the presidency. That's right.
John Twork 6:42
Your academic roots are in geography, what appealed to you about geography and tell us a little more about your research expertise.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 6:50
So geography never appealed to me? Seriously, when I left, high school, my interest was biochemistry. That's what I wanted to study. Well, my father wanted me to read medicine. And so, I described my father, the relationship wasn't always as idyllic as, as it sounds. We had like any relationship, we had our we had our struggles. And maybe one of the biggest was what he wanted me to become, he wanted me to be a medical doctor. While in the Nigerian system, similar to the British and European systems, you can go to medical school from high school. So that's what he wanted me to do. I wanted to read biochemistry, and he wouldn't pay. He said, I'm not going to pay for you to read. In part, I think he had no idea what biochemistry was, he knew what it what a doctor was. And so that's what he wanted me to do. But my older brother was already reading law at the time. So he and I, I didn't want to read medicine, I had no interest in medicine, I was never going to read medicine. And so he and I had a disagreement. And I missed the first semester of school, so I couldn't go because he wouldn't pay. I eventually, my older brother convinced him to let me go. So I showed up at a university. And of course, I'd lost my place. But they still had a place in geography, well it was better than staying at home doing that. So all my friends were already in college, and here I was with really good grades and sit in at home because I was fighting with my dad. So I decided, Okay, I'll take that, I would have taken anything they offered, if they wanted me to rate sociology, that's what I would have taken. That happened to be geography. And you know, so I got into geography. But then I found geography really exciting because to me growing up in like a rural village in Africa, we had no electricity, we had, you know, no TVs and things like that. So we were out in the environment all the time. I thought geography was like, a course where they simply put names and terms to things that I knew. I knew all these things they were talking about, or a lot of these things they were talking about. I just didn't know what the technical name was. So I found geography, quite frankly, very easy. It came naturally to me. So in addition to my interest in the environmental area, and knowing a lot about having a feeling that I knew a lot, I had also been really curious, and an avid reader about places around the world. Keep in mind, I had no TV. So the only way I could get access and exposure to areas outside of my immediate environment was to read. I read everything I could find. And so geography was another medium of continuing that exploration of what was beyond my world or beyond my horizons. So I think for those reasons, it came very naturally to me. And I enjoyed every minute of it. You talked about what my areas are. So I really work at the intersection between hydrology and climatology. So a lot of my work has been on how does climate affect water resources? So in my master's degree, I worked on stochastic hydrology, we're trying to probabilistically estimate the risk of floods. And then as I got into my PhD, I worked more on drought, looking at how you could use statistical methods to estimate or do drought analysis, but also dendrochronology, how can you use tree rings to study long term impacts? So I did a bunch of that for my postdoc. And the most recent part of the work I worked on was looking at using satellite in particular, the gray satellites to estimate water resources around the world. So most everything I've done has been at that intersection of climate, water resources and people.
John Twork 11:22
Now, when you were in college working toward your degree in geography, I understand that you also played college handball, yep. Can you first describe handball not necessarily a sport that Americans are familiar with? At least I'm not and tell me about your handball experience.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 11:43
I loved handball, and I played on the college team I played on the regional team as as a high school student. So handball consists of seven players, you know, a side so there's six players on the field. And then there's including the goalkeeper--think a bit like field hockey, or maybe even ice hockey, if you will. Yeah. So six players plus a goalkeeper, but you played by passing the ball with your hands. And the goal is, the goal is to get a goal. From scoring a goal from the opponent. The field is about is 40 meters long. So that 120 feet by 20 meters, so 60 feet, and it's a very exciting game, I love it. You still play now. i So I left Nigeria in 1990 when I moved to Canada, and nobody plays handball, well, yeah, very few people play handball. So it's an Olympic sport, right? Yeah. And it's been with every Olympic. It's a big sport in Africa and in Europe, but unfortunately, not so much in the US.
John Twork 12:55
Yeah, we'll have to pay extra attention as the Olympics this summer, there will be handball in the Olympics. There definitely will be--maybe we can get a club handball team here if there's not already one. Okay, fast forward to July of 2020, you first arrived at Illinois State to serve as the university's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. It seems like that would have been a tough time to take a new job. We're in the middle of the COVID 19 pandemic, and yet you made the move. Can you tell me why you decided to come to Illinois State at that time?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 13:25
Well, when I interviewed for the position, we didn't know about COVID. Yeah. So first of all, I didn't know--that's not to say I regret it. I'm extremely excited and happy that we made the move. So I remember coming here to interview and was very excited, I got the position. And then that was I think, February and then shortly after we started hearing about COVID, even at the beginning of nobody had any idea just how devastating it was going to be. We didn't know how long it was going to be, how bad it was going to be, and so on. So, at the beginning of COVID, I was working on the COVID mitigation team at Binghamton University, where I was dean. But I also asked Larry Dietz, who was president here, you know, could I start joining the meetings at Illinois State so that I would not be starting from scratch when I came. So even though I actually resumed officially here in July, I started joining the meetings in May. And that was extremely helpful, because I was familiar with the challenges. I was familiar with some of the people and what they were working on, of course, I was familiar with the same challenges in Binghamton as well. But I think what was most exciting about coming here is you get to a certain level where you feel like you've accomplished enough. You have a lot, you have a level of confidence. And that tells you, you can take that next step. And I was there where I felt like, yeah, I feel like I know enough. I'm sufficiently excited about the challenges and possibilities about what I can do. And I had the confidence to say, I'm gonna put my, my--throw my hat into rings for these positions, because I believe I can do well at that level. I remember I called my mentor back in Oklahoma, when I got the position. And I said, Yeah, I'm moving to Illinois State as provost. At that time, we were beginning to get a sense of just how bad COVID was going to be. I remember his exact words, when he told me "now is not a good time to be in charge of anything." A wise man? He said, Yeah, I don't think you want to be in charge of anything because this is going to get bad. Boy was he ever right? Yeah. But But I came, and I think Illinois State had just a first class group of people working on COVID mitigation. And it was exciting to one-nothing about COVID was exciting, but relatively easy to walk in join the flow and the group and the conversations and the planning and, and mercifully, I think we came out of that as well as anyone could have hoped for.
John Twork 16:25
Fast forward to 2023. You were appointed interim president, and then permanent president just this past March. Why did you decide to take on this massive leadership responsibility here at Illinois State?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 16:40
It's a good question. So similar to my response on the previous question, there are times when you feel like I can do this. Now, when I came here, my goal had always been to be provost. So I never thought about becoming president. I wasn't trying to be president. But of course, sometimes you create opportunities, sometimes opportunities are created for you. And sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you're more reactive. This was not one that I craved. Certainly not at that time. But I was in a place where the board said, you know, we want you to step up and do this. And I did. And I spent much of that first year just doing the analysis. I think one of I believe one of my my strengths as an administrator, is strategic planning, strategic thinking, that's what I love to do, set the big challenge and figure out how we're going to accomplish it. That's what gets me excited. And so in the interim role, I did a lot of research, I did a lot of analysis about our processes, the challenges that not just Illinois State, but higher ed was facing and what it would take to overcome those challenges. And so you develop a lot of ideas and concepts and think, oh, no, we could do this. Now, I'd like to try that. And this is what would happen if we did that. And so I became extremely, more and more excited about what was possible, given the very strong foundation that we have here, the university, I could think about what we could do to leverage that foundation and where it might take us. And I got more excited as I thought about it, and naturally asked myself, you know, could I do this, and I became really comfortable in feeling that I could do it. So from that point on, you know, get into interim president that was unplanned, but going from interim to permanent and actually wanting to compete and interview for that position. That was almost a logical extension that came out of my level of comfort and confidence and the knowledge that I had gained, and also thinking about what was possible, given the information that I knew and the circumstances that the university was in.
John Twork 19:02
Can you elaborate on some of the challenges and also opportunities that are facing higher education and Illinois State?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 19:09
Boy, I don't know how long for this interview, but the challenges are many in higher ed, and none of this is unique to Illinois State. But in no particular order, cost. Cost has really gone up. So we're thinking about how do we make school more affordable, accessibility. Now, how do we make sure that those--we are accessible to people who want to come to us? That is a challenge. Enrollment. Almost every day you read the newspapers or go online and you see some major institution that is struggling with financial challenges. I just read before this interview started, the president of the University of Arizona is going to step down, Well, I think that just came through today. So enrollment is a challenge. Financial stress is a challenge. There has been many decades of disinvestment in higher education. Here in Illinois, I was excited to be a part of the Commission on equitable funding, that is working to craft a new formula, develop a new formula to ensure equitable funding going forward. So enrollment is a challenge too in part because of demographics, finances, a challenge 13% of operational budget comes from the state. So 87% is what we generate. So there is a direct linkage between the enrollment and the fiscal viability of the institution. So we've got to watch that all the time. But there's two other challenges I'll mention which are outside of the university environment that everybody is facing. And one of those has to do with changes in technology. You know, about AI, of course, artificial intelligence, these are very disruptive technologies that we all have to figure out, if students can ask, which they do Chat GPT to write essays for them, write codes for them, what's the most appropriate way to teach? So I'm going to be charging a committee here, I think it's next week about AI at Illinois State. And what we're doing with that data challenge has to do with just the increasing skepticism about the value of a college degree. You know, every time you read the news, there's somebody questioning, you know, is college even worth it and so on. So quite a range of challenges that we're facing, including those that are internal to the university, but also many others that are external. And on top of all of that, we have what I call non traditional actors that are getting into the educational space. Previously, anybody wanting a degree, we knew they were gonna have to go to a university. But increasingly, we have opportunities for employment, you know, through places like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, these a trillion dollar companies that are now providing their own training opportunities, as a pathway for jobs and economic mobility. So those those people have those entities have a lot of money, deep pockets. And if they truly want to take on education, we've got to be able to find a way to deal with that. So quite some challenges, or opportunities, there would be no opportunities without challenges. Right. I know that sounds like a cliche, but it's but it's also true. So for me, I think one of the greatest things we have going for us is our foundation is solid. We haven't suffered the kind of enrollment loss that we see happening at other institutions, other public universities in Illinois, but also around the state. And I think one of my goals is to keep it so--how do we how do we keep, keep it, keep our enrollment strong, and maybe even grow it if we can. So one of the things that we're doing in that regard is trying to tap into new populations that traditionally have not applied to us. So we're creating a new College of Engineering. You know, we're creating a new program in data science and Master's in physics, a master's in public health, we're turning the program in creative technologies into a school of Creative Technologies. We're doing all of that not just for enrollment, it helps with enrollment. But classically, the most important thing is workforce development, where we are a state institution, our job is to educate the next generation of Illinois students, but also produce the next workforce. So one of the things that we have to be very thoughtful, we are very thoughtful and intentional about is identifying where the needs are in the workforce, where the opportunities are and what the demands are. And to fulfill those demands. That's what we've always done as an institution. We started out as a teacher training school because that's what was important at the time. We expanded greatly in the 1960s when we went from Illinois State Normal University to Illinois State, because following the GI Bill and World War Two, there was expansion and educational opportunities and the market and we stepped up to provide that. So this is a logical extension of we are a state university that has to think about the needs of the state, including employers and students. And to meet those needs. And So therein lies the opportunity of making sure that we provide those things.
John Twork 25:06
You have opportunities abounding. But as you think about your presidency, you're only a month in. But I also have to think about our tagline here at Illinois State, which is create your legacy. Maybe it's too early to start thinking about what your legacy will be. But I'm curious, as the 21st, president of Illinois State University, what type of legacy do you hope to create and leave here at Illinois State?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 25:33
You know, as an institution, I think one of our brand, is the fact that we are student focused institution, I would like to be able to significantly elevate our metrics in student success. Not just because I want to leave a legacy, but because I think that's what we're here to do. So I am really proud of the retention rates and graduation rates that we have--a retention rate at 81%, graduation rate at 67%. Those are numbers that are way above the national averages that I'm really proud of that I also think about the flip side of that, which is the number of students that we lose every year, we bring in about 4000 students a year. So if we at 81% retention, it means we're losing almost 800 students a year. At 67% graduation rate, it means almost a third of our students have not received a degree after six years. I think we have an opportunity to do something about those numbers. So if at the end of my presidency, we're able to move those numbers significantly, so that we're losing fewer students so that we're graduating more students and graduating them on time, I would be extremely excited. Another area that I would really like to influence is diversity and a sense of belonging. Our diversity numbers are really good in terms of students. And I think, I hope would like we will continue to work to improve those numbers. But the outcomes for some demographics is the outcomes are uneven amongst different demographics. So I'd like to make sure that students who come here, everybody who comes here gets about the same outcome out of the Illinois State experience. So that means increasing the outcomes matrix for those who have traditionally not achieved the same levels of outcomes. And that would be that's exciting to work on. Our faculty and staff diversity are also lower than they should be. So that's an opportunity to work on. And finally, the last area that I really would like is to increase our national prestige and visibility. We are Illinois State University. It'd be really exciting if we were spoken about in the same way as Michigan State, as Penn State, as Louisiana State. We need to be a national brand, we need to have much more national visibility, and prestige and brand. So if I can be the person, even if I don't accomplish it, but who sets the University on a path to getting out of its shell, and thinking of itself more as a national university and not just a regional university, I think that would be amazing.
John Twork 29:03
We're speaking today with Dr. Aondover Tarhule, the 21st president of Illinois State University. After this break, my colleague, Rachel Kobus, will join President Tarhule to pose some questions from our alumni audience. You're listening to Redbird buzz.
Rachel Kobus 29:33
All right, and we're back with Redbird Buzz with President Tarhule. Thank you for being with us again today. And as John said, I'm Rachel Kobus. From alumni engagement, and I have a few questions from our alumni audience for you. So we talked about your journey. We talked about crucial parts of your life. So I hope this is more of a let's get to know Aondover Tarhule. And my first question leading off of what John was talking about creating a legacy part of your legacy. those that support you is your family. So when you were named 21st, president of Illinois State University, how did your family react to it?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 30:08
Very excited. I think they were maybe even more excited. So my larger family back home, everybody knew my father's interest in education. I think the response was almost universally the same. Everybody first being excited. But then also having that sense of regret. We wish Dad was here. But But in general, just super proud, very excited. And then here, no, I live with my wife. My kids are grown. They are where they are, and they could care less what we do. But my wife and I are very excited and couldn't be prouder.
Rachel Kobus 30:53
We you know, couldn't be more excited for you to be here with us. And so, you know, Rosos is a Redbird employee of ISU, and we love hearing that. So how do you support each other in these roles, her role in facilities? I believe in your role as president, how do you keep that Redbird alumni, alumni Redbird couple of going for Illinois State University
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 31:13
Almost unavoidable, right, because we were at a lot of events, we go to a lot of events. And so we get to know the same people, we participate in the same activities. And so there's always something to talk about. But she's my number one confidence, she's my number one supporter, this is a person I can like my hair down, not that I have really long hair. She's, she's the person I can feel totally relaxed, and you know, able to be myself and not not have to watch what I say, and I also have a level of confidence will be totally confident that she'll be frank and open and transparent. And give me that advice. It's necessary to be able to, you know, talk about some of these things and to talk to and with someone that, you know, is listening, you know cares and you know, what would like the best outcome for you so, so she's been amazing.
Rachel Kobus 32:14
what a great partner to have on this journey to you need that partner, like you said, Yes, everyone needs that person.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 32:20
In some ways, it helps that she also walks into university, if she didn't, you know, and was in a totally different sector, I would have to explain what the university environment is. But in this case, you know, she already understands that, so I don't have to explain that. And she knows some of the issues. Exactly. And so it makes conversations much easier.
Rachel Kobus 32:44
And you know, you said both you, you're traveling together, you're going to alumni events together. You were doing that as interim. Now as President, in your first few weeks, what have you been up to together? on your own? What have you been doing? I do know, you are named president in that very same day, you flew to an alumni event, and mingled with our Redbirds there. So that's just in one day. So how are the first few weeks going?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 33:10
About the same. So on the 18th of March is when we had a board meeting, and I think the meeting and the lunch went to about one. And I had to be at the airport at 230. You know, for an event in Scottsdale. Yep, amazing event. We met with what 60 To 65 alarms, really exciting. And I met with an alarm who had graduated in 1959. And she came to this event. There was also somebody who graduated in 1963. And they came to this event. And one of the most exciting things I hear from alums, is when people talk about just what an impact Illinois State University has been on them. I think the best statement I ever hear is when people say Illinois State University changed my life. And here we are 50, 60 years after their experience at Illinois State. And they still remember that. But anyway, we went to that event in Scottsdale. And then I went on to other events in LA and Malibu. Came back here for two days. Then I went to Boston for an AGB Association of Governing Board in Boston. I came back on Thursday and Roos left for Europe on Friday, and she's still in Europe. So lots of travel.
Rachel Kobus 34:44
So you've had a lot of downtime, obviously in the first few weeks, I guess that you can tell. So we talked about the first few weeks. Yeah. So what excites you for the next few years as president of Illinois State?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 34:57
What we can do together the University has a really strong foundation. In that first part, I talked about what the challenges are and what many universities are facing. We are not immune from those challenges, I want to make that abundantly clear. But we have two advantages. One, we have the advantage of a solid foundation, our enrollment has remained strong, finances are strong. But we also have the advantage of time. Not too much, but a little bit, we're seeing what's happening at these other institutions. And so we're able to see what they do or not do. And therefore what do we need to do or not do to make sure we don't suffer the same fate. This is the most important thing we have to do. All institutions, not just in the US, but indeed, around the world, are facing immense challenges. And some people are going to be successful in dealing with those challenges, some are not going to be successful. That's, that's again, my role is to make sure that we are successful. And so we have a foundation to build on, we have some time to act. And now it's now up to me and leadership at the university really everyone at the university including alums, you know, to coalesce around this one singular goal that at this important time of transition, Illinois State University has to come out as a winner.
Rachel Kobus 36:27
And just hearing you say that, and the pride and the confidence in your voice, it is very reassuring. So thank you for sharing that. And you mentioned challenges for higher education. So this is an interview. So obviously, you always get asked, What's your strengths, but what is a challenge personally, as a president, that you're seeing, you're going to have to take on in this role.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 36:49
I think I'll go back to the idea of enrollment and financial, financial viability--we've got to keep our enrollment up. In it, I talked about those two as two separate things, and they are but practically, the effect is the same. Nothing good happens at an institution that loses enrollment. And so we are in a situation where we're tuition dependent. Most of the money we use to run the institution comes from tuition. And so as your enrollment goes down, your tuition or your financial viability becomes more and more shaky. But of course, your expenses don't change, you have the same level of staff, inflation continues to go up, you have the same mortgage, that and bonds that you have to pay on the buildings, you have the same footprint that you have to maintain, you need to update your technology. So nothing good happens when you begin to suffer enrollment. So I would say making sure that we maintain, and maybe even grow our enrollment is absolutely the number one responsibility. And closely associated with that, as I explained before, it's making sure that we remain fiscally strong and financially resilient. So good enrollment, student success, which I talked about previously with John, fiscal via viability and resilience. And all of that has to happen in a context of innovation, continuous improvement, and a strong collaborative atmosphere. So those are the things that I think we need to accomplish if we can get those right. And we get everybody excited about those, we're in a good place. And I think we have lots of opportunities. We are really fortunate when I say excited about where Illinois State is, I'm not just saying that we're really fortunate because we have several converging factors, all in our favor. In addition to the things that I just mentioned, we have a new strategic plan coming up Excellence by Design, this is always an opportunity to reflect to introspect, and to think about where we're going on we'd like to go and how would we get everybody around the same things, and it happens to coincide with what we're doing. We also have an accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission accreditation happening now. That is a process where we are required to think about the degree to which we are meeting our mission as an institution. So everything it takes for us to look at ourselves as an institution, where we would like to go what the challenges are and what how we might overcome those all are converging time. And so And finally, you know, Robert rice and it's about four years since we ended that can it's about time we start thinking about the next campaign and I know that the people in foundation and advancement they're thinking about that. I'm sure part of it was dependent on the conclusion of the search. And now it's concluded. So it's time to think about it. So we have this convergence of factors are pointing in the same direction. What does ISU want to be? And how does it get there? couldn't be more excited to step into this role.
Rachel Kobus 40:25
I love it. And so excitement and challenges. I mean, you're taking it all on. Yep. And with that, though, being a president, you said you have a team, and they support you, and you have your family and they support you. But I know it can be hard, and you need to have some type of balance in your life. Living in Bloomington Normal, we know our community is thriving, we have a lot of things to do here. So how do you outside of your presidential roles, stay active in the community and give yourself that work life balance when possible?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 40:53
You know, one of the things that really sets this place apart is the people. I've said this many times, my wife and I have lived in many other college towns. This is the place where and we've I can't say anything bad about any place I have lived now having lots of fun and mentors and supporters in Oklahoma. I had lots of fun and mentors and supporters in upstate New York. But this, this is different. This really takes the cake, the support that we have had the level to which people have accepted us and adopted us and taken us in and made us feel welcome. I couldn't ask for more. And it just makes a difference. So wherever we are every event we go to the people that we meet the way that they talk to us, and just how natural and authentic and how supportive they have been. I think that just makes it feel like we are home. Yeah. And that has made a world of difference.
Rachel Kobus 41:54
Yes, yes. I'm sure. And so and, you know, so what's your favorite thing to do in the Bloomington Normal Community? Might I ask,
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 42:01
Oh, I don't know if I should say, Oh, okay. We like going out my wife and I went, you know, going out to check out a few nice restaurants, where maybe more often than we should. Okay, so such a big sampling. But first, the opportunity to go out and try some new food. Plus, having that company where you just feel excited, and you feel at ease, and comfortable. So we like going out from time to time.
Rachel Kobus 42:36
You're allowed to do that. I give you permission, you're welcome.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 42:41
But it's not always good for my waistline. Oh, my gosh.
Rachel Kobus 42:47
Oh, I love it. So, you know, we get through, we talked about your career, your life? One question that came up from our alums is what kind of advice thinking back now would you give to your younger self, if any?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 43:05
So let me answer that question in a little bit of a roundabout way. I have felt extremely supported. And lucky, throughout my life. As I said, my parents were not educated. So they did what they could for me. But I also met a lot of teachers and mentors, you know, who took an interest in me sometimes, for reasons I didn't understand. And were extremely supportive of me. So I think as I look back, I would say, the value of hard work, integrity and being reliable. And really, try not to disappoint your mentors, and the people who've who've supported you. I feel very fortunate that I was able to have that relationship with my mentors. And you know, I always felt I wanted to measure up to them. And so if I could go back, of course, at the time, I didn't know where all of this was heading. Yeah, if I could go back with the advantage of what I've, what I've learned and what I know since and I would, I don't know what would happen if I did even more of that, than I did, but I am extremely fortunate and I feel very blessed indeed, for the people throughout various parts of my lives. And these are different people who took an interest in me and supported me and whether I knew it at the time, I feel blessed and fortunate that I didn't disappoint them at least not too badly, to where to where they got disappointed and wanted to give up and because then I wouldn't be where I am. So I think That's what I looked at myself.
Rachel Kobus 45:01
And I love to hear it. And you know, I think that's a good reminder to all of our alumni listening to the importance of being mentors to coming back and talking to our students, and giving yourself because how important is for mentors to keep people growing and supporting them too, like you said, your mentors have given you the rise that you need to become who you are.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 45:20
100%, the impact that people can have on students, especially young people, it's almost immeasurable. Young people, we have to remember 17 18 19 year olds, they're part of what they don't know is questioning themselves a lot of self doubt, a lot of uncertainty about what they want to do. A lot of lack of self esteem in some cases. And so having someone to help paint--point the way that a non judgmental matter manner, someone they know is genuinely interested in their success makes a world of difference. So I would absolutely advise and encourage you know, alums who can and who have the means to do so to get in touch with us today. You become the mirror that the students can see themselves in you. And that's, that's something that priceless, it's really priceless. Yes.
Rachel Kobus 46:23
What a great quote, become the mirror. I love it. So a little bit of a lightning round for you. Oh, I have a couple of fun questions. And then a really good question at the end. So in our spring issue of the magazine, there's a little get to know you section. So when the STATE magazine comes out, you'll get to learn a little more about President arhoolie. And so I got to see a little glimpse of it. And so my first question is do you is your hobbies, you enjoy smoking meat on some of that free time that you have? So what is that a good, you know, does that just give you that relaxation that you need? It's just a very unique hobby. I feel some people have so I had to bring it up for those of you that read the magazine. So I chuckled, just like you are right now. So is that just something you just happened upon or something you've been doing your whole life?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 47:07
not my whole life. But I've been doing that I think it began when my wife bought me a smoker. I thought there was a lesson in there. But actually, she bought it because we were watching meat smoking shows on TV, this was back in Oklahoma. And she could see I enjoyed watching it. And so she bought me one and I tried it. I don't know if she was being honest or not. But she liked it. That was a big encouragement to me, you know, to do more. You have to start somehow. But I also like experimenting, I like doing things differently. And I like trying some things. So I took to it. What a good hobby ever since.
Rachel Kobus 47:52
I love it. Yeah, well, and another one your hobbies you say you like to travel? Do you want to share what's been one of your most memorable travel experiences or favorite places to travel?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 48:02
So here's the thing, we never traveled to the same place twice. Oh, maybe because I'm a geographer, I know there are families and people who go to the same place every year. There's nothing wrong with that. But for me, it's just so much of the woods to see. So I like to go to a new place. So it doesn't matter how much fun I've had in a place. I'm not likely going to go back. I'm gonna go elsewhere. Yeah, so we always go to a new place. And I've always liked everyplace we've been to.
Rachel Kobus 48:34
I love it. So really, you are the explorer of Illinois State. All right, go
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 48:39
to a new place. Okay. How
Rachel Kobus 48:41
about favorite book, what would be a book recommendation, something you're reading right now that you think is inspiring people should pick up?
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 48:50
Well, I'm reading a book now called Leadership Matters. And I'm actually going to get copies of the book for everybody in my cabinet. And we're going to have a Cabinet meeting in June, to set strategic priorities and how we're going to deal with them. And I think it's helpful when everybody comes to this discussion from from the same point of view. So I'm going to be getting copies of that book. And everybody in my leadership team will have to read it between now and June. Great. So you know, this is something I've done before last year, we read the Great Upheaval. So all the changes that are happening in higher ed, there's a book called The GreatUpheaval that deals with those and trusses, the origins and how they are likely to play out. So last year, I bought 40 copies of that book, and gave it to the university leaders. Yeah. And this year, so that's what we read before the retreat. This year, we're going to read leadership matters.
Rachel Kobus 49:51
So being kind of cheesy, you're literally all on the same page then. Yeah.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 49:56
I like sometimes it's Okay, I'm happy if we're on the same book, not necessarily the same. Okay, I'm happy to be on the same book.
Rachel Kobus 50:07
one step at a time. Especially when you work with such a large team, it's a great opportunity to try and get people together and have some more thoughts or different thoughts and talk about them and a book is a great place to start.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 50:19
this particular books deals with the changes that we're talking about in higher ed, and what the authors think we need to be doing and how, you know, they have some really great nuggets of advice. And examples of successful ideas and innovation. So I think it's a really good book for the leadership team.
Rachel Kobus 50:40
Sounds like it. So my last question, and again, it's something that is in the next issue of the magazine, but let's talk hats.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 50:50
Now you're talking my language.
Rachel Kobus 50:53
So I mean, for those that don't get to see the video, obviously, your sporting ISU socks the tie the pin, and typically you would be in some type of hat as part of your Redbird persona now. So can you share a little bit about where the hat started, and how it's become something that real and I will say a lot of our alums, that's why I had to ask it and bring it up again. They truly love just your energy and seeing you and then being able to pick out say, that's our president, we can see Dr. Tarhule we know who he is, it's become part of you. Yeah, a little bit about let's talk hats.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 51:28
a little bit before before I talk about, I went to an event at the Hancock Field. So we had we had an event in the in the evenings. And I step it was a it was getting dark. You know, somebody comes by so I was interim president. And somebody came by and he said, Good Evening President Tarhule. And you know, I could barely see this person, but they greeted me. So I caught up to him. And I said, How did you recognize me so quickly? He goes, I didn't recognize you. I recognized the hat.
But I didn't always wear hats actually, we have a partnership with a university in Panama, Quality Leadership University. So Oscar De Leon, is the proprietor of that institution. And he came up here and he gave me a Panama hat. And I tried it on and you know, I like it. And lots of people seems to like it, people commented on this. So that's a good thing. So I got another hat. And I tried it. And then Winter came and I realized my Panama hat didn't work so well. So I bought a different one for the winter. And then spring came and I realize you know, I've been wearing this winter hat long enough. And so that's where it started. And that's how it grew. Now I have about a dozen I think it's actually exactly twelve in the back of my car. So sometimes I wear it based on my attire try to coordinate if I can and sometimes it's based on the weather you know, somewhere I go with the white ones from spring I go with a light colored ones and winter I go with a dark colored ones. But I got an alum, Joe Talkington, I hope he doesn't mind by mentioning him. Joe saw me with all my hats and all these pictures and he goes, Why don't you have a red one? So he bought me two red ones.
Unknown Speaker 53:27
Not one two
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 53:34
so I have two red hats that I wear sometimes, okay, no, Joe would like me to wear them all the time. But there's the story. Yeah. I love it. I love it. I'm very thankful to Joe.
Rachel Kobus 53:48
Yeah, it has to match your person like you said your outfit your personal how you're feeling your practicalities. So no way we can add more hats to so I mean, you say this people are going to start buying hats now so you better watch out your car is going to need like its own extra trunk space, but
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 54:02
I'll be fine. It's a big car.
Rachel Kobus 54:05
Alright, everyone knows. Oh, well. Thank you so much President Tarhule. for sitting down with Redbird busty, we truly appreciate it and we're excited to hopefully talk to you again and see what's to come for Illinois State University.
Dr. Aondover Tarhule 54:16
Thank you, Rachel. I enjoyed the conversation very much.
Rachel Kobus 54:18
Thank you.
And that was the 21st president of Illinois State University Dr. Aondover Tarhule. Tune in next time for more stories from beyond the quad.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai