Boschini to bring fun, support sides
By Jessica Sanders
Staff Reporter

Victor Boschini Jr. introduces himself as “Vic,” and with a soft Midwestern accent TCU’s next chancellor speaks fondly of his family and life in Normal, Ill.

But Boschini, currently the president of Illinois State University, is willing to leave Normal life to become the 10th chancellor of TCU.

Monday was his first day back at ISU since he announced he will be leaving, Boschini said.

“I’ve gotten about 600 e-mails,” he said. “It’s been a very emotional day on campus.”
Shelby Sebens, assignment editor of the ISU Daily Vidette, said Boschini’s leaving will be hard for the school and the newspaper staff.

“It’s bittersweet,” Sebens said. “He’s done a lot for our university.”

Carolyn Bathauer, ISU Student Government Association president, said she has worked closely with Boschini for the last two years.

“He is very knowledgeable about everything he does,” Bathauer said. “He always asks for input from all the campus constituencies, especially students.”

For instance, Boschini listened to students when they asked him to implement an extended Thanksgiving holiday for 2004 instead of 2007, Bathauer said.

“Instead of having to wait four years, he implemented it for next year,” Bathauer said.
Jay Groves, director of Media Relations at ISU, said Boschini supports the student body by attending numerous athletic, cultural and social events on campus.

“Probably one of the more important things he does is teach a class,” Groves said. “He always says the best way to know what’s on the students’ minds is by talking to the students in his class.”

According to the ISU Web site, Boschini is teaching a class this semester called Social Foundations in the department of educational administration and foundations.

“It’s a review of what happened in education in the United States of America,” Boschini said. “It’s an overview of what teachers can expect when they go into the classroom.”

Before coming to ISU, Boschini worked in administrative positions at Indiana University and Butler University.

Tom Snider, vice president for enrollment management at Butler University, said he has known Boschini for 11 years.

Snider said he and Boschini worked closely together when Boschini was associate academic provost at Butler University.

“(TCU) has got a terrific human being,” Snider said. “He has a sense of humor that doesn’t quit.”

Bathauer said Victor Boschini’s sense of humor helps him deal with difficult situations.

“He always makes people laugh,” Bathauer said. “He has to deal with a lot of things that are unpopular. He just tries to make the best of things.”

Boschini’s wife, Megan, said sometimes she is surprised at how well her husband’s humor is accepted.

“Sometimes I cringe because I can’t believe he just said that,” Megan Boschini said. “(His jokes) are funny but offhand, and they are very well received.”

When he isn’t making jokes, Victor Boschini said he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.

“I am a charity golfer,” he said. “You have to be charitable to golf with me. I also golf at charity events.”

The family is looking forward to attending TCU athletic events, Megan Boschini said.
“Football games, I imagine, will be a great way to immerse ourselves in school life,” she said.

Victor Boschini said he is also planning informal ways to learn about the TCU student body.

“I am a big believer in management by walking around,” Victor Boschini said. “It’s fun for us to interact with students.”

Though the Boschinis are kept busy with university activities, they still devote lots of time to their children, Victor Boschini said.

Boschini said his four children, Elizabeth, Mary, Teddy and Margaret, ranging in age from 7 to 15, are looking forward to moving to Texas.

“The kids are very excited,” Victor Boschini said. “They are looking forward to swimming year-round.”

Jessica Sanders
j.d.sanders@tcu.edu