CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati interim president Beverly Davenport will be moving south in 2017, according to a news release from the university.
On March 1, 2017, Davenport will trade in her title at UC to serve as the first female chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, pending that university board's approval at a special meeting on Dec. 15.
Robert Richardson, Jr., UC's board of trustees chairman, told WCPO that no decision has been made on who will replace Davenport as interim president. He said the presidential search committee hopes to name a permanent president in "early 2017," which could mean having a new president in place before Davenport leaves.
Asked about any concern about a disruption in leadership that UC losing its second president in less than a year, Richardson said, "The momentum has continued under Interim President Davenport's leadership with record enrollment. You'll continue to see that momentum carrying forward. We have plenty of talented people on the bench."
Davenport commented on her decision in a news release:
"I have grown to love this institution, this city and the many colleagues and friends I have come to know," said Davenport, who was UC provost before she became president, said. "Because of my experience here, I have the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus. I am inspired by their confidence in my abilities to help them reach their goal of becoming a top-tier research university."
UC will hold a farewell event to thank Davenport for her time with the university, according to the release.
