Petoskey - Sitting in a meeting room at the upscale Bay Harbor Golf Club, Lou Anna Simon reclined in a large chair with hands clasped, nonchalantly recalling her responsibilities as interim president in MSU President M. Peter McPherson's absence.

"Taking over his position has been a two-edged sword for me, because I got to take on the challenge of acting as president," she said. But then there were days when it really felt like I had two jobs. But since McPherson can't manage East Lansing by remote control, it was up to me to take on the added responsibility."

Simon has had her hands full, pulling double-duty as interim president and provost since McPherson left in May to help with Iraq's economic rebuilding effort. The president is expected to return in September and has told The State News he has no intention of staying away any longer than that.

During his absence, her primary responsibilities have included dealing with MSU's budget shortfall, raising money for the five-year, $1.2-billion capital campaign and competing for funding for the Rare Isotope Accelerator.

Some of which has been very trying for Simon with state funding cuts, a sluggish economy and the recent announcement that funding for the accelerator might not come through because of state budget cuts.

"I'm trying to move the institution forward with fund raising for the capital campaign and telling MSU's (financial) story downtown with the Legislature," Simon said. "And I'm optimistic the state will partner with MSU in getting the Rare Isotope Accelerator - just think of how much a nearly $1 billion project could help the state's economy."

Simon has been provost for almost 10 years, and her time served alongside McPherson is the longest of any provost and president duo in the Big Ten.

"McPherson and I are an administrative team, and in the 10 years we've worked together we've come to understand each other's values, so my transition into the interim president position went pretty smoothly," Simon said.

MSU Trustee David Porteous said it is the relationship that has developed between the two that made the board comfortable with having Simon take over McPherson's responsibilities.

"Lou Anna and Peter have worked together daily to establish a dynamic partnership," Porteous said. "She knows MSU so well that when McPherson left, she knew which issues were most difficult and has worked to maintain his initiatives."

And since McPherson's leaving the university, the board and Simon have seamlessly made the transition, Porteous said.

"The board is very pleased with Lou Anna's leadership and stewardship," he said. "We knew she had the demeanor and knowledge to continue managing and handling MSU."

Simon said despite the added responsibility of handling both jobs, she's had outstanding support from the administrative team to help her balance a busy schedule.

"Being provost and interim president takes time, and the team pitched in to make sure things were getting done," Simon said. "They recognize the visibility that McPherson's assignment gives the institution, so they knew how important it was to pull together in his absence."

Among those who helped Simon out, particularly while she was traveling, was Bob Banks, assistant provost and assistant vice president for academic human resources.

"I needed to stay here while she was away raising money for the university," he said. "Everyone has had to come together to serve as a backdrop of support since McPherson's been gone, and while it's been a challenge for me. I'm more than happy to help out."

He said his main duties have been sitting in for her in staff meetings and meeting with faculty and administrative groups.

"It's more of a challenge for her than for me though, because she's taken over presidential duties, done a lot of fund-raising work and worked on handling the budget cuts," Banks said. "Plus, McPherson has only been gone a few months, so it's not like I've had to handle substantial duties for a long period of time."

She said she spent a lot of time traveling this summer to raise money for the capital campaign, and as a result has missed her frequent walks around campus.

"I find it very valuable talking informally to students and staff to find out their ideas, and I'm going to enjoy getting back to it once (McPherson) comes back," Simon said.

While everyone has been accommodating and supportive of her, she said she will be glad once McPherson returns.

"I really like being provost, so I'm excited about getting back to it," she said. "Plus, I'm sure my husband won't mind me being home more often."