With more than 30 years of experience in higher education under his belt — including 32 years at his alma mater of Ohio University — Tom Davis has been named vice president of advancement and interim president and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation.
Davis, whose appointment was announced in a university-wide email Saturday, will work with outgoing Vice President of Advancement Bryan Benchoff to “ensure a smooth transition” leading up to July 7, his first day on the job. Benchoff announced in April he would be leaving OU for a similar position as president and CEO of the Louisiana State University Foundation and vice president of Institutional Advancement, according to a previous Post report.
The announcement of Davis' appointment was made just two days before Duane Nellis is set to take office as the university’s 21st president.
“Tom Davis has spent much of his career working in leadership roles at Ohio University, and I have every confidence that he will again rise to the challenge that is being placed before him and excel,” Nellis said in a news release. “Dr. Davis will provide a steady hand during this time of transition as we launch a nationwide search for our next Vice President of Advancement and President/CEO of The Ohio University Foundation.”
Davis, a graduate of the OU Lancaster campus with a bachelor's degree in general studies, has served as a professor at a number of regional campuses, teaching courses in counseling and higher education. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in Counselor Education from Marshall University and a doctorate degree from Ohio State University and Miami University, according to the release.
During his time at OU, Davis has served as the interim dean of the Zanesville campus, chair of the department of counseling and higher education, associate dean of the Patton College of Education and secretary to the Board of Trustees.
Outside of his work with the university, Davis has received “numerous” awards, served as president of the Ohio Counseling Association and was appointed by the governor to the Ohio Counseling, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapy Board, according to the release.
“We have a deep pool of talent at Ohio University, and I am humbled to have been selected from my peers to serve my university in this capacity,” Davis said. “Ohio University Advancement is well positioned for this next phase and I look forward to working with the talented Advancement staff who share my passion for this great university.”
With Davis holding the interim position, the university will “immediately” commence a search to fill the position.
The university is also engaged in a nationwide search to find the replacement for Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit, who announced in May she would be leaving for a position at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
