Jack Thomas

Jack Thomas is an American former academic administrator who served as the 9th president of the Central State University from 2020 to 2023. Previously, he served as the 11th President of Western Illinois University from 2011 to 2019. He was the first Black President of Western Illinois University. He subsequently taught English at South Carolina State University before joining the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he served as professor and chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages, as well as in roles including associate vice president for academic and student affairs, executive vice president, and interim president.

Western Illinois University Thomas joined Western Illinois University in January 2008 as provost and academic vice president. In January 2011, the WIU Board of Trustees named him the institution's 11th president, effective July 1, 2011. During his presidency, WIU established 17 new academic programs, launched the President's Executive Institute, and opened a new campus in Moline, Illinois. However, enrollment at the main campus dropped from roughly 12,554 students in fall 2011 to about 7,600 by 2019, more than 100 employees were laid off, and several dormitories were demolished.

In May 2019, the WIU Alumni Council and the WIU Foundation both publicly called for Thomas's resignation, and signs reading "Fire Jack" appeared in storefronts near campus.

Western Illinois exit package Thomas's departure from Western Illinois University drew sustained criticism over his negotiated exit package, which granted him two years of paid administrative leave at his base salary of US$270,528, plus annual annuity contributions of US$27,000, life insurance, and health insurance, after which he could return as a tenured professor at no less than US$225,000 annually. The WIU Board of Trustees approved a US$900,000 settlement and general release in August 2019.

Illinois lawmakers characterized the arrangement as a "golden parachute" and accused the Board of Trustees of circumventing the spirit of the Illinois Government Severance Pay Act, which had taken effect earlier in 2019 to limit such payouts. University officials maintained that Thomas's 2011 contract had been grandfathered in and that the agreement constituted a transition rather than a severance arrangement. His tenure saw the implementation of a strategic plan and a $75 million expansion of the campus, which involved the construction of seven new buildings. The complaint stated that the alleged conduct was "aimed at women, primarily African-American women." A report presented to trustees on February 7, 2023, concluded that Thomas's leadership style toward the complainants could be characterized as "rude, belittling and bullying," but did not rise to the level of harassment or discrimination.

In April 2023, two of the women filed a lawsuit against the university alleging unfair demotion, pay inequities, and retaliation; their attorney stated that the suit would proceed despite Thomas's announced departure. Thomas denied harassing, belittling, or bullying anyone, and several Central State administrators publicly defended his character and questioned the thoroughness of the investigation. A group of Black women political leaders, including Ohio state senator Paula Hicks-Hudson and former state senator Rhine McLin, later published an op-ed defending Thomas's leadership.

Personal life Thomas and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Patrick and Darius. Since 2005, he has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.