Quincy University Dedicates New Campus Landmark
Quincy University dedicated a new campus street clock in honor of Phil Conover, M.A., president emeritus, in a ceremony on Friday, October 29. The “Conover Clock” was dedicated in honor of Conover’s outstanding, distinguished and extended service to the university community as a volunteer, trustee and president.
“Phil Conover has made many profoundly important contributions to Quincy University over a long and distinguished career,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., the university’s current president. “This beautiful new clock will be a permanent tribute to Phil’s many accomplishments at QU. No president in QU’s history made better use of his time than Phil Conover.”
The Conover Clock was purchased and installed at QU using funds contributed to create a useful and lasting reminder on campus of Conover’s service to the campus community.
Conover served as the university’s 23rd president from 2017-2019. He worked tirelessly as president to bring new financial resources to the university and developed lasting relationships with key QU constituencies, including local civic leaders, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students. After 18 months in retirement, Conover then returned to campus in 2021 to serve as interim athletic director, guiding the QU Athletic Department through a spring season dominated by pandemic restrictions and COVID-19 testing protocols.
An Illinois native and graduate of Unity High School in Mendon, Conover has spent nearly all of his life in the Tri-State region. Before serving as the university president, Conover’s roles at QU included time as the chief operating officer and as chair and vice-chair of the QU Board of Trustees. He received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2019.
A long-time and prominent leader in civil and non-profit organizations, Conover has won numerous awards and honors, including the Exchange Club’s Golden Deeds Award and the Rotary’s Joe Bonansinga Community Service Award. His many professional roles have included time as a high school basketball coach and a former dean at John Wood Community College. Conover also has held interim leadership positions at the Great River Economic Development Foundation and, most recently, the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.