There are a few days in someone's career that stand out, said Ohio University incoming President Roderick McDavis. Yesterday was one of those days for McDavis, who was officially elected as the 20th president of OU by the Board of Trustees and for current President Robert Glidden, who is preparing to leave June 30.
In a reception, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Robert Walter introduced McDavis as a team-builder who would foster connections within the university and between Athens and OU.
McDavis and his wife, Deborah, both OU graduates, visited the campus yesterday to attend the trustees meeting and begin talking with campus administrators, faculty and students. Today, McDavis will meet with the deans of all the colleges and other administrators and will tour the president's house with his wife.
Several OU officials and McDavis himself acknowledged that it was a homecoming for him.
(McDavis) hasn't forgotten his roots; let's welcome Rod back to his home
Walter said.
McDavis said he was moved beyond words to become the second alumnus to ever lead the university.
Never could you script in your life that you would go back to your alma mater he said.
But, he pointed out that was not the reason he was selected to become president.
It's all about fit ... It's not about being an alum he said.
McDavis, 55, comes from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was provost and vice president for academic affairs. He graduated from OU in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences and secondary education.
Before he begins to plan a future for the university, McDavis said he wants to listen first to members of the university and the community and collaborate a vision for the next 10 to 20 years.
One of the key points of our administration is going to be
'What's in the best interest of Ohio University?' he said.
But McDavis said it was premature to say what his biggest priority is for the institution. He said he is just beginning to have conversations with different people at OU, and he needs to make up some ground and time in terms of learning about this university.
McDavis signed a five-year contract that pays $275,000 a year and delivers full benefits, such as state retirement and health benefits.
In addition to being named president, McDavis also received the title of professor counselor education with tenure. Traditionally, university presidents receive professorship and tenure for their area of specialization, said OU spokesman Jack Jeffery.
Deborah McDavis retired yesterday from teaching high school English for 33 years. She said she would like to work on adult literacy programs in the Athens area once she arrives. McDavis also said she would like to be somebody the students could look to as a surrogate mother.
Glidden said McDavis is well-prepared and will bring his own vision to the university.
There will be things he'll want to be different -but it's a good thing to have change to bring new ideas and new enthusiasm and spark
he said.
Glidden said he will miss the people at the university. The pride of people in the university is what makes this a special place -the people
we'll miss the most.
But he said he is ready to move on with his life.
I enjoyed the role and responsibility of being a president
but I will also enjoy not being responsible 24 hours a day
seven days a week
he said. I feel very good about turning over the reins to Dr. McDavis.
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