ATHENS, Ohio (Sept. 3, 2004) -- The inauguration of Ohio University's 20th president, Roderick J. McDavis, will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The event is open to the public. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be broadcast live at www.ohio.edu/inauguration.  

The inauguration will feature comments by former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and President McDavis' inaugural address, which will outline his vision for Ohio University. Representatives from more than 50 universities nationwide will be present at the ceremony.

McDavis began his duties as president on July 1. He previously served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. McDavis, a native of Dayton, Ohio, received a bachelor's degree in social sciences in secondary education from Ohio University in 1970, making him only the second alumnus to lead the university as president. He received a master's degree in student personnel administration from the University of Dayton in 1971 and a doctorate in counselor education and higher education administration from the University of Toledo in 1974.

Following the inauguration will be a celebratory concert in honor of President McDavis at 8:45 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. The concert will feature Walter Bell and the Latin Jazz Unit with special guest Los Viejos Blanquitos. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the event is free.

More information regarding the inauguration is available online at www.ohio.edu/inauguration.  

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Contact: Media Specialist Jack Jeffery, (740) 597-1793 or jefferyj@ohio.edu