Eric Spina, a former vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse University, was introduced Thursday as the 19th president of the University of Dayton.
KEY POINTS:
- Spina will take over as president July 1, 2016
- Focus of presidency will be research, diversity Spina says
- UD president Danial Curran stepping down next June
UPDATE @ 6:52 p.m. (Sept. 15):
Eric Spina stepped down from a high-ranking post at Syracuse University last December and let it be known publicly that he was in the market for a college presidency. It was an unusual roll of the dice, and he wasn’t even sure he’d leave the school he’d been a part of since 1988.
“What I would tell people privately was that I was very happy at the university. I’m a tenured faculty member, I’d be well compensated if I stayed there. I’m only going to move if it’s the right thing,” said Spina.
“I said that probably 150 times. … This is the right thing.”
Spina was introduced Tuesday as the 19th president at the University of Dayton. He will take over from Daniel Curran on July 1, 2016, and promised to lead “selflessly, collaboratively and with a common purpose.”
“We’re a very strong research university and we’ll continue to focus on research across the institution,” said Spina, a mechanical and aerospace engineer by training and the holder of two U.S. patents.
He said he is committed to increasing diversity at the Marianist university, and cited UD’s commitment to social justice as one of its strengths.
The president-elect began his remarks in front of a few hundred university leaders and faculty members at the Kennedy Union with a heartfelt “wow.” He appeared to be moved by the warm reception.
Later, he explained why he resigned after serving nine years as vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse, where he was in charge of all academics and research.
“I couldn’t have searched for a presidency without stepping down first, simply to be fair to the institution and fair to the people I’m working with,” Spina said. “It’s not the typical way to do it, but I couldn’t imagine doing it another way.”
Spina, 54, currently is a trustee professor and vice chancellor and provost emeritus at Syracuse. He said his main focus at UD is learning more about the university and community as he transitions into his new role.
UPDATE @ 10:26 a.m. (Sept. 15)
Steven D. Cobb, chair of the board of trustees at University of Dayton, said during Eric Spina’s tenure at Syracuse, he grew the faculty by 10 percent, increasing the diversity of the faculty and staff; increased the number of women STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) faculty by 30 percent; more than doubled the number of endowed chairs and professorships; developed highly-visible corporate partnerships with JPMorgan Chase and IBM; and significantly increased the diversity of undergraduate body.
“He cares deeply about building a diverse and inclusive campus,” Cobb said of Spina. “He’s also committed to being student-centric. He’s very approachable; has a very warm, comfortable and inviting style.”
Cobb said Spina also increased international learning and research opportunities while at Syracuse, including programs in Turkey, China and Chile.
David Yeager, chair of presidential search committee, said it was a 16-member team of staff, faculty, students, alumni and Dayton community leaders that selected the next president.
“The fit’s perfect, really,” said Dan Curran, outgoing president.
Curran outfitted Spina and his family with official University of Dayton Flyers gear, including hats and shirts.
On the stage with his wife and son, Spina said: “I didn’t know until the past few months this was my dream. But the more I learn about the University of Dayton, the more I can say with deep conviction, this is simply a dream come true.”
Spina continued: “From the moment I first read the position description … the feeling built and built that the University of Dayton truly feels like home. The feeling of home grew the more I learned. The feeling of home strengthened as I interacted with our students.”
FIRST REPORT (Sept. 14)
Eric Spina, a former vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse University, is expected to be introduced today as the 19th president at the University of Dayton.
Spina will succeed Dan Curran, several sources confirmed, and will be formally introduced to the UD community at 10 a.m. at the Kennedy Union ballroom.
UD’s new leader said in a news release, “In a way, I feel that I am coming home.”
Spina, 54, stepped down as Syracuse’s provost at the end of 2014 and stayed on as a trustee professor. He moved into that role with the goal of “obtaining a top leadership position in higher education.”
He began working at Syracuse in 1988 as a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University.
Curran, UD’s first lay president, announced in December that he plans to step down in June 2016 after a 14-year tenure.
UD named a 17-person search committee in January, led by board of trustee member David Yeager, and hired the Boston-based executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to help fill the position.