Phil Conover, MA

Phil Conover is President Emeritus of Quincy University.  He served as the schools 23rd President from 2017-2019. Conover worked tirelessly to achieve long-term sustainability for the university and developed lasting relationships with key constituencies including local civic leaders, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students.

Conover attended Illinois State University and graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in history and an M.A. in guidance and counseling.  He taught history at Quincy High School and coached in several local high schools during his career.  In 1973 he became the basketball coach at Quincy Notre Dame and later was dean of students and also served as assistant principal.  In 1978 he joined Blunt Ellis & Loewi as a financial advisor and eventually retired from Wachovia Securities.

Conover has an extensive background in higher education including serving as a member and vice-chair of Quincy University’s Board of Trustees and as interim vice president of instruction for John Wood Community College.  He was also interim president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. Conover served as Quincy University’s Annual Fund Chair with his brother Joe in 2004.  He has served the Quincy community as a board member of John Wood Community College, GREDF, Quincy Notre Dame High School, and Blessing Hospital.  Conover was the 2015 recipient of the Quincy Exchange Club’s 63rd Golden Deeds Award, an honor that signifies selfless commitment and tireless work on behalf of the community.

Phil received an honorary doctorate degree from Quincy University in 2019.

Conover has been married 55 years to his wife, Bonnie, and together they have three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and playing the piano.