My message today details the plans for effective leadership transition following the departure of Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Decatur in January 2010. We will conduct a national search for the University’s next Vice President for Finance and Administration, led by a search committee comprised of representatives from faculty, staff and students.

The search committee will be chaired by Dr. Pam Benoit, Executive Vice President and Provost. Faculty representatives on the committee include Dr. Rosemary Rossiter, Chair and Professor, Economics; Dr. Matthew Adeyanju, professor and director, School of Public Health Sciences and Professions; Dr. Joseph McLaughlin, Chair and Professor, English and Chairman, Faculty Senate; and a regional campus faculty member to be determined. The remainder of the committee includes Emily Shuki, undergraduate student; Sarah Templeton Wilson, graduate student; Marlene Swartz, staff member, College of Education; Dr. Hugh Sherman, Dean, College of Business; Howard Lipman, Vice President for University Advancement; Luis Lewin, Chief Human Resources Officer; Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings, Assistant Vice President for Budget Planning and Analysis; Dr. Brenda Noftz, manager, Employee Relations and Academic Liaison, University Human Resources; E. John Wolfzorn, Foundation Trustee; and Larry Schey, University Trustee.

I thank these individuals for their willingness to commit their time and expertise to the important process of filling this crucial leadership position at Ohio University. The search committee will begin its work during the Winter Intersession and will continue throughout the Winter and Spring Quarters. After reviewing proposals from a number of search firms to aid the search committee in its work, we have selected Baker and Associates.

As the work of the search committee proceeds, it will be important to assure strong leadership for the Finance and Administration departments and functions at the University. Mr. Decatur’s final day of service at Ohio University will be January 5, 2010. Beginning January 6, 2010, Mr. Mike Angelini has agreed to serve as Interim Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Dr. Terry Conry has agreed to serve as Interim Associate Vice President for Administration. Mr. Angelini will provide leadership for the entire division, and will directly oversee Finance, Budget Planning and Analysis, Shared Services and Controller. Areas reporting directly to Dr. Conry will be Culinary and Dining Operations, Airport, Printing and Graphics Services, Facilities, Safety and Risk Management and Human Resources. I hope you will join me in thanking and supporting Mr. Angelini and Dr. Conry as they take on additional leadership responsibilities for the University.

I close with gratitude to Senate Chairs Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Beth Lydic, Tammy Jordan, Robert Leary and Tracy Kelly for their input to inform the decisions on effective transitioning and, I thank Mr. Decatur for his service to Ohio University and for his continued commitment and guidance in his final months on campus.

Cordially,

Roderick J. McDavis
President