Robert Davies has been named one of the two finalists in the University’s Presidential search.
Davies is currently serving is President at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oreg.
EOU is a member of the Oregon University System, which is comprised on seven universities. Enrollment at EOU is 4,157 students.
He has been serving as President of EOU since July 2009.
Some accomplishments he has made during his time at EOU have been securing more than $50 million in state funding for building renovations, which is the largest in the history of the University.
Davies also personally pledged $120,000 for scholarships and faculty research.
Following a 30 percent budget reduction process in 2011, Davies was able to receive a “Full Vote of Confidence” by the Faculty Senate and the University Council.
Also during his time at EOU, he has been able to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates to the highest levels they have been during the University’s history.
Davies has been selected to serve on numerous national and regional associations and commissions. These include the Committee on Policies and Advocacy for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the Cascade Collegiate Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The Governor of Oregon, John Kitzhaber, appointed Davies to represent higher education for the state and to be the Chairperson of the Regional Economic Development Committee.
Before being President of EOU, Davies was Vice President for University Relations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from Feb. 2006-09. A primarily residential university, IUP has more than 14,500 students.
During his time at IUP, Davies secured five different multi-million dollar gifts for the University. Prior to these gifts, the University had only received two multi-million dollar gifts in the University’s history.
He also assisted in securing more than $20 million in new research grants and contracts. He created a marketing program for the University, which helped increase student applications by 30 percent.
Davies served as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development for State University of New York at Buffalo from Aug. 2000 to Feb. 2006, before his time at IUP.
The University at Buffalo is a research university with approximately 28,000 students.
During his time at UB, Davies was part of the executive team that oversaw the “Campaign for UB” that raised $290 million, surpassing the original goal of $250 million.
He created almost 50 new endowments that were $50,000 each and created an alumni legislative advocacy organization that has more than 7,000 members.
He also taught at the Graduate School of Education, teaching courses in Financing Higher Education, Seminar Series in Leadership in the Academy and Advancement in Higher Education.
He served as Executive Director of the Alumni Association and Director of Alumni Relations at Boise State University from Nov. 1995 to Aug. 2009.
Boise State University is a metropolitan masters granting university with approximately 17,000 students.
During his time at BSU, Davies initiated the Alumni Center Campaign, which raised more than $14 million. He also assisted in raising $13 million in less than two years to fund a new College of Engineering program.
Davies was the Director of Annual Giving and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Nevada, Reno from July 1992 to Nov. 1995.
The University of Nevada, Reno is a Land Grant university with approximately 15,500 students.
He personally secured more than $500,000 annually from the President’s Associates Leadership Society and secured more than $1 million in new scholarship endowments.
Davies has also been given several presentations and published numerous papers. Some of his works include topics on non-traditional students and alumni and their impact on the modern university, strategic planning for higher education and about transitioning from a process of budget cuts to creating ambition.
He has professional memberships in the Association of American State Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education and the Association.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1989. He has a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration from The State University of New York at Buffalo.
Davies will be on campus from March 9-11. Davies will interview with University officials and constituency groups on Monday. Additionally, Davies will participate in an open forum at 4 p.m. in Wrather Auditorium. The forum is open to the campus and community.
Here is the remaining schedule for Davies:
Sunday, March 9, 2014
6 p.m. Social Dinner — Location: Oakhurst (President’s Residence)
Monday, March 10, 2014
8:15 a.m. Meet with Interim President Miller —Location: President’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Wells Hall
9 a.m. Meet with executive officers — Location: President’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Wells Hall
10 a.m. Meet with staff representatives— Location: Room 118, Wells Hall
11 a.m. Meet with academic deans — Location: President’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Wells Hall
Noon Lunch with student representatives — Location: Room 118, Wells Hall
1 p.m. Meet with faculty representatives — Location: Room 118, Wells Hall
2 p.m. Campus tour (with spouse)
3 p.m. Meet with Foundation Board of Trustees and community representatives — Location: Oakhurst
4-4:30 p.m. Open Forum (with spouse) – campus and community invited — Location: Wrather Auditorium
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
9-10:30 a.m. Interview with Board of Regents — Breathitt Room, Pogue Library
Story by Rebecca Walter, staff writer