Former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro has been named the next chancellor of the Board of Regents.
Eric Fingerhut, the current democratic chancellor, announced last week that he would step down on March 13 to allow Gov. John Kasich to put his own team in place before the state budget process begins March 15. Fingerhut still had one more year left in his five-year term.
“I look forward to working with Mr. Petro to transition the critical work of growing Ohio’s higher ed(ucation) network to keep our state competitive in the knowledge economy,” Fingerhut said in a statement.
Petro, a Republican, will take office March 14. He previously served as Ohio’s attorney general for four years before becoming state auditor in 2003.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity and one that has been consistent with much of my advocacy during my 12 years in state office,” Petro said. “… Any opportunity we have for economic growth in Ohio is dependent on higher education … and the quality of our universities.”
Ohio University’s president will communicate with Petro during the transition.
“President (Roderick) McDavis has called and left him a message congratulating him,” said Becky Watts, McDavis’ chief of staff. “… We look forward to working with him as we continue to work to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.”
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