There have been 20 presidents of the University of Illinois system, a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Illinois. The president is the chief executive officer and a faculty member of each of its colleges, schools, institutions, and divisions. Elected by the board of trustees, the president is responsible to them for the operation of the system by preparing budgets, recommending persons for appointment to university positions, and enforcing the rules and regulations of the universities. Following the establishment of the office in 1867, John Milton Gregory served as the first president, originally titled "regent". Three presidents, Lloyd Morey, James J. Stukel, and Robert A. Easter, are alumni of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The current president is Timothy L. Killeen, who has held the position since 2015. (Full list...)