Shur announces January retirement

by Joe King

Technically, George Shur's office is in Lowden Hall, but anyone who know him knows he does business all over campus.

"We can see where he parks his car and watch him walk to the building, but often a half-hour or more goes by before he comes through the door, because he is always running into someone and having a conversation. He likes to talk," University Counsel Norden Gilbert said.

After 20 years, the gregarious Shur will have plenty of time to talk when he retires in January from NIU and ships out.

"I'm tired," says Shur, with energy that belies the statement. "When I retire in January I will have been practicing law for 35 years, and I want more time with my family."

Nearly that entire career was spent working in law related to higher education. Prior to coming to NIU, Shur worked for several years with a private practice in Maine that counted the state university system among its clients. He took the top legal job at NIU in early 1983 and immediately got hit with the unexpected.

"Within a week of my arrival we were served with an anti-trust case. I had never handled such a thing," Shur said. "But I didn't want to walk in and immediately send the first big case to outside counsel, so we set about becoming experts in anti-trust. Eighteen months later the case was thrown out of court."

Such versatility was one of the hallmarks of Shur's career at NIU, where his work covered the waterfront, from administrative law to zoning. That breadth of knowledge earned him respect, both close to home and far afield.

"Nationally speaking, he is one of the foremost experts in higher education law," said Gilbert, who has worked alongside Shur throughout his 20 years on campus.

"George is a great generalist," concurred Kathleen Santora, CEO of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. "Whenever we need a panelist, no matter what the topic, I know that George can speak with authority on the matter."

Shur's peers showed their esteem for his skill last year when he was selected by NACUA (where Shur has served in a variety of capacities, including president) as only the 18th person in the 41-year history of the organization to receive its Distinguished Service Award. Shur's other honors and awards have included the 1994 Thomas S. Biggs Award, given annually by the Stetson University College of Law to an attorney who "has provided dedicated legal service to the university community with highest and constant regard for individual morality of each student and colleagues."

For Shur, providing that service often meant settling matters before they reached the courtroom. While he is proud of the university never having lost a case which has gone to trial, he is equally likely to point out that, for such a large institution, NIU has actually spent very little time in court over the last 20 years, which administrators appreciate.

"We are losing a treasure when George Shur retires. He was a great benefit to the university," said James Alfini, former dean of the NIU College of Law, who frequently consulted Shur over the years. "He is the epitome of a problem solver and a peace maker - qualities that all good lawyers should have."

"George has done a great service to this university throughout his career," NIU President John Peters said. "His advice is always right on the mark, and you always know that he has the best interests of NIU at heart."

The truth of that statement is evident to anyone who knows Shur and how deep his feelings for the university run.

"I am proud of the entire body of service I have been able to provide, working 20 years for a university I love. Northern is a world-class institution. People need to appreciate how good things are here," he said.

Shur said the things he is looking forward to most in his retirement are spending time with his wife, Martha, and enjoying all that NIU has to offer in the way of music, theater, art and athletics (particularly basketball).

"We want to take fuller advantage of this campus. There is something going on every night. Now I'm either too busy or too tired to do it all."

Not that he will live a complete life of leisure.

He plans to continue teaching in the University 101 program, has had discussions with the College of Law about teaching a course in higher education law, will continue to accept speaking engagements and might do some consulting.

While those things will keep him as busy as he cares to be, he still will miss the excitement and enjoyment he found in coming to the office each day.

"I've been very lucky to work with a marvelous team," Shur says. "Kathy Koch and Terry Albright have been wonderful, and Norden is so bright and talented - and a magnificent human being. We have worked well together and had a lot of fun, and I have enjoyed working for my client - NIU. I can't think of better people to work with or for than the faculty and staff of NIU."

10/07/02