The appointment of a permanent director of NIU’s Physical Plant has been approved by the Board of Regents, filling a post which had been held by acting directors for several years.

John Harrod Jr. has been named to replace acting Physical Plant Director Conrad Miller. Harrod, who will assume the post April 16, has a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and is the associate director of operations at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

arrod said he is looking forward to coming to NIU because it is comparable to Iowa State. He said he is excited because, like Iowa State, NIU is a growing university.

“I don’t have big plans to make a big shake-up, but I hope to be involved with all projects on campus. I’d like to see the grounds and buildings develop in an orderly way,” Harrod said.

James Harder, interim vice president for Business and Operations, said Harrod, who was among four other candidates, has excellent experience and background.

arder was acting physical plant director from 1982 to August 1986. Miller took over as acting director when Harder was appointed to his present position.

Miller, who was one of the candidates for plant director, said he will be working with Harrod as assistant director at the physical plant in a spirit of cooperation to help improve the department.

e said he will miss the position of plant director, but he said the department is understaffed and involves a lot of work.

“The new director will be facing a tremendous amount of work. There are more than 27 projects the department will be working on this summer,” Miller said.

Miller, who has worked for the university for 20 years, said he has no regrets about not being selected as plant director as long as he still is involved in university affairs.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the staff and thank the staff and university community for their support,” he said.