As a freshman living in Lincoln Hall, Roderick McDavis never thought that one day he would live in the president's mansion at 29 Park Place.
McDavis, a track sprinter and fraternity president, said that he was involved in the national discussions about the civil rights and women's movements, but that he was not active in university government.
I would not be viewed as a student leader or really involved or engaged in those kinds of leadership roles
McDavis said. If anyone had told me that I would serve one day as president I would have laughed.
This all changed in 2004 when McDavis, a Dayton native, became the first black president and only the second alumnus to serve as president of Ohio University. Now in his third year of a five-year contract, McDavis, 58, said he is glad to be back on campus.
I have a much better perspective of the institution's history and traditions having been a student here McDavis said. One could say that I have a good rapport for the area and culture and the tradition and the history of this university as an alumnus.A day in the life
McDavis does not have any typical day and relies on his assistant to help manage his schedule. At an October meeting in his office, which has a fireplace and a glass dish of M&M's, he planned activities as far in advance as April.
Am I in Athens? McDavis asked when trying to set up a meeting. To help keep on track, he carries a card with the day's activities with him every day.
It just shows how we can stretch ourselves to the point where if you have 12-hour days
and you really get used to that; it seems natural
he said.McDavis meets as many requests as possible, said Cynthia Cowie, his assistant.
He's just on all the time
she said.
One near-staple of McDavis' day is his walk through Vernon R. Alden Library on the way to Cutler Hall.
I just engage in dialogue with students that I meet as I pass through the library
he said. We talk about how the quarter's going
and I usually get a little feedback on that
or I might ask them about how they feel about the university
just to get a sense of how students feel about being here.Sound barrier
After more than 30 years since his time as a student, McDavis said he has not seen any major changes in the attitudes on campus.
Ohio University has a very warm feel. It is a friendly campus; it is a very dynamic campus. It is a campus that
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