Western Illinois University passed on a former Lindenwood University president when it chose its new leader this week.

Michael Shonrock, a former president of Lindenwood University, was one of the finalists for the president’s position. 

He served as the Lindenwood president from June 2015 to February 2019 until he was terminated for reasons that are still unknown.

Shonrock is currently the dean of faculty at the Center for Leadership Development, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in Washington, D.C.

Shonrock was placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 5, 2019 after receiving a letter from the university’s attorney. During that time, he was not allowed to be anywhere on campus except for his house, and was not allowed to contact employees. Shonrock went to court to fight for his job, and was officially terminated a few days later at a board meeting. 

Western Illinois University has announced Guiyou Huang to be the 12th president of the university in a board meeting on Monday. 

Huang is currently the president of Edinboro University, a public university in Edinboro, Pa. He has served there since July 2019. 

Huang was among six candidates vying for the position. He will assume the position Jan. 1, 2021. 

Huang will replace Western Illinois University’s interim president, Martin Abraham.