For more information, contact Barry O. Johnson, (937) 775-3232.

October 30, 1997

STATEMENT FROM WRIGHT STATE
PRESIDENT HARLEY E. FLACK

Today, I have announced to members of the university community that on Monday, October 27, after weeks of diagnostic tests, I have been diagnosed with a malignancy. I feel very confident that I will be able to beat this and to overcome the disease. I have excellent medical support and a strong and abiding spiritual faith in God.

My family and friends have been praying for me, and I am certain that you will as well. Since I have maintained a healthy lifestyle, I am automatically placed in a better position to lick this thing.

To focus on fighting the disease, I will be taking off until the first of next year (January 1998). During this two-month period, I will be resting and regaining my strength to meet the challenge head-on.

The Board of Trustees will meet either Wednesday or Thursday of next week to name an interim president for the two-month period.

I am asking for your prayers and well wishes during this time. I know, full well, that we must get on with the work of the University in ways that reflect well on our history of excellence. And of course, now, like no other time in our history, we need to demonstrate that we are that caring community that I have been promoting since I came to Wright State nearly four years ago.

Thank you for all that you are doing and will continue to do during this time.