VCU provost resigns to become Ohio University president

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D., has announced his resignation as Virginia Commonwealth University provost and vice president for academic affairs in order to become the 20th president of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

McDavis has served as VCU’s top academic officer since July 1999, coordinating academic policies and responsible for all academic proceedings and programs for the entire university. 

“It is an honor for Dr. McDavis, and for VCU, that he has been offered the presidency of a fine institution like Ohio University.  We are happy for him, but also feel sad about his impending departure from VCU,” said Dr. Eugene P. Trani, VCU president.  “Roderick McDavis has been an excellent provost, with many accomplishments to his credit, and I am very proud of him and what we have done together at VCU.  I know he and his wife, Deborah, have a bright future ahead of them at Ohio University.”

Dr. Trani said that during McDavis’ tenure as provost, VCU has seen five years of great accomplishments including the establishment of VCU Life Sciences, the creation of the Center for Teaching Excellence, the formation of the Student Computer Initiative, the enhancement of student life and student engagement, the creation of the “Just Say Hello” campaign, and the approval of 20 academic programs, including six doctoral programs.

McDavis came to VCU in 1999 after serving as dean of the University of Florida’s College of Education.  He is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and received his bachelor’s degree in social sciences in secondary education from Ohio University.

“It’s a very unique and special opportunity to be able to return to my alma mater as president,” McDavis said.  “I’m excited about the opportunity to help Ohio University become one of the best research universities.”

McDavis has served as chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.  In 1995, he was named Person of the Year in Education by “The Gainesville Sun.”  He was named the 1996 Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Education at Ohio University and he received the 1997 Black Achiever’s Award in Education from the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators.

McDavis earned his master’s degree in student personnel administration from the University of Dayton and his doctorate in counselor education and higher education administration from the University of Toledo.

Dr. Trani announced that an interim provost will be appointed in June and the university will conduct a national search for McDavis’ replacement.

For more information on McDavis’ appointment as Ohio University president, visit www.ohio.edu/presidentialsearch/.