Ohio University formally welcomed Roderick McDavis as its 20th president in a ceremony at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on Friday.
The inauguration highlighted a day full of events in celebration of McDavis' presidency, which began earlier this summer. Former OU presidents Charles Ping and Vernon Alden, members of McDavis' family and representatives from approximately 50 universities nationwide were in attendance.
To be granted the privilege and honor of providing leadership for my alma mater at the dawn of its third century leaves me with a profound sense of responsibility
McDavis said.
Former governor of Virginia, L. Douglas Wilder, made opening comments praising McDavis -just the second OU alumnus to become president -as a peer among peers a scholar among scholars.
You've chosen wisely in selecting your helmsman for these times Wilder said. His star is still in ascendancy.
In his 20-minute inaugural address, which both opened and closed with standing ovations, McDavis outlined his major goals for the future. He stressed his desire to help OU become a more prominent research university, and how he would use a strengthened reputation in athletics as a strategy to accomplish that.
Improving diversity at OU was a second main focus of McDavis' speech, as he stressed the importance of creating a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and discussed plans to create an Urban Scholars Program. The program will be aimed at recruiting students from urban areas.
Any limitation to diversity is unacceptable
McDavis said.
McDavis also spoke of his plans to improve the university's relationship with local and regional areas, improving local public schools and the possibility of establishing a regional commuter airport in southeast Ohio with the aim of attracting businesses to the area.
When I think of Ohio University
the words 'excellence
' 'exceptional' and 'distinction' come to mind
McDavis said. I want you to think of Ohio University in the same way.
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