Murray State Presidential Candidate Robert (B0b) O. Davies is the first to visit campus. Davies is one of two finalists for MSU's top job. A third candidate self-selected out of consideration due to health concerns.
Davies' itinerary is at the end of this post.
The following is information from Davies' bio page at his current institution, Eastern Oregon University.
Davies became the eleventh president of Eastern Oregon University on July 1, 2009. Davies, who was raised in the West, considers this appointment to be the completion of a circle after his career took him from Nevada to Boise, Idaho, New York and Pennsylvania.
Davies earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and his MBA from the University of Oregon. His bachelor’s degree in business is from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Davies’ career in higher education started at the University of Nevada, Reno where he served as the director of annual giving. He was then named executive director of the Boise State University Alumni Association and later moved to the University at Buffalo where he became the associate vice president for Advancement. Prior to his appointment to the EOU presidency, he was the vice president of University Relations and executive director of the foundation at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Davies’ dissertation, “The New University President: How Non-Traditional Presidents Construct Their Presidencies” is dedicated in the honor of his father and grandfather. This study and continued research in leadership guides him in his current role, while his previous work experiences have proven to be invaluable in developing and strengthening community and legislative relationships, strategic planning and enhancing communication and university connections.
Davies' current salary is $197,000 according to state documents.
About Eastern Oregon University:
· Founded 1929
· Located: La Grande, Oregon (4 hours to Portland)
· Enrollment: 3,743
· Athletics: NAIA Division 1 Frontier Conference (previously NCAA Division 3) compete in Cascade Collegiate Conference.
Here is summary of what you'll find on Davies mostly from the La Grande Observer
Davies has made himself known as a man of the community. In the middle of EOU’s presidential search back in 2009, Davies visited the university and promised to meet and greet every student at least once a year. Nearly 5 years later, Davies has made good on that promise while even furthering his interaction with students and the EOU ecosystem.
In September of 2009, 2 months after being hired as president of EOU, Davies and his family donated $120,000 to the EOU Foundation. This donation was directed toward the following:
Scholarships awarded to EOU sophomores, juniors and seniors based not on grades but on community service and engagement
A faculty development fund designed to help faculty hone themselves professionally through attending conferences, hearing speakers in the field and more
A Student Success Fund that provides financial assistance to students that incur expenses through their success, e.g. a club that advances to a regional or national competition. The club could then apply for assistance from the fund for help with travel, etc
The EOU Alumni Association
A 2011 audit found some questionable travel expenses in Davies’ name. A double reimbursement occurred and was not caught until the audit. He repaid the funds in question totaling $538.
More recently, Davies, along with EOU’s administrative team passed a required budget cut in June of this year that slashed between $2 million and $2.3 million without losing any degree programs. However, this plan known as the University Sustainability Plan, resulted in the loss of 14.29 faculty positions and about 10 minors/concentrations.
A contended area of the plan, that of EOU’s music degree program, was left relatively untouched. Originally, the university’s bachelor of music degree was to be changed to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a music major. Davies and EOU Provost Stephen Adkison cite faculty feedback stressing music’s importance in the community as the cause for adjustments made.
In November, EOU reported a drop in enrollment of 1.2 percent. Davies attributed the cause to a decline of high school graduates in the state. At the same time, the university saw a rise in applications and submissions for the fall 2014 semester.
Presently, EOU’s online program is ranked No. 1 in the state in terms of affordability. Davies’ promise to meet every student is not limited to students living in university housing – he said he enjoys meeting those taking online courses at their commencement ceremony.
Here is Davie's Visit Schedule:
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 Office, Room 218 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
12 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 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Open Forum (with spouse)
Location: Wrather Auditorium
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
9-10:30 a.m. Interview with Board of Regents
Breathitt Room – Pogue Library