Biography

 

Bob Davies was named the President of Eastern Oregon University on March 20, 2009 and assumed the duties on July 1, 2009. 

Bob became the Vice President for University Relations and the Executive Director of the Foundation for Indiana University of Pennsylvania in February 2006.  At IUP he was responsible for overseeing and directing the development, alumni relations, communications, and foundation areas. 

In his time at IUP, Davies oversaw the most successful fundraising time period in the university's history.  During this time, 5 multi-million gifts were secured, a $38 million campaign was concluded, and the creation of the largest endowed lecture series in the university was established.  Alumni giving significantly increased under his tenure as well as the ability to work with federal and state agencies in securing additional funding.  He also navigated the changing of the nickname from the "Indians" to the "Crimson Hawks"-a feat that previously was fraught with controversy and now has become an amazing point of pride of the university, its alumni and students.  He also oversaw a $270 million student housing construction program.  The university also enjoyed prominent coverage in the national press-including the Chronicle of Higher Education, US News and World Report and others. 

Prior to IUP, he was the Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations at the University at Buffalo beginning in August 2000.  He was responsible for building and developing a truly international alumni association and enhancing the overall alumni relations effort for the University at Buffalo.  He directly oversaw the efforts of individuals that performed the many functions of communicating to alumni, presented regional programs, promoted international alumni relations, and coordinated all aspects of alumni programs throughout the state and region.  During his tenure at UB, he was also a crucial member of the executive team that completed a $250 million comprehensive campaign by raising nearly $300 million.  

Prior to his appointment at UB, Bob served as Executive Director of the Boise State University Alumni Association in Boise, Idaho.  At Boise State he built a regionally acclaimed alumni relations program.  Several of his accomplishments include the dramatic increase in membership, the establishment of regional programs, the development of a proactive board of directors, and the creation of an Alumni Center.  He was also instrumental in the funding a new College of Engineering and the expansion of athletic facilities.

Bob also held two positions at the University of Nevada, Reno.  The first was the director of annual giving.  In this capacity, he was responsible for increasing the amount raised, along with the number of donations, from alumni.  He became known for his creative and aggressive campaigns that mixed humor and class to reach targeted audiences.  He also served as an assistant director of alumni relations and was responsible for working with the individual colleges and university leaders to develop an integrated alumni relations effort that blended academics, social activities and leadership of the university.

While not holding traditional academic positions, Bob has proven himself in the area of shared governance by serving on the University Senates at University of Nevada and IUP.  At Nevada, he was elected by the faculty to serve on the Senate's Executive Committee.  He also was selected to serve on search committees that selected a president, three deans and served as the chair of the search committee in selecting a provost.  He also served on the President's Executive Cabinet at Boise State, UB and IUP and represented the President on the Faculty Merit and Compensation Committee at the University of Nevada.

Bob received his Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University at Buffalo.  His field of study was university leadership and management.  His research and dissertation focused on non-traditional presidents—university presidents who did not follow the traditional academic progression to the presidency—and the formation of leadership styles and decision making processes of university presidents.  His dissertation was titled The New University President: How Non-Traditional Presidents Construct Their Presidencies.  He has published articles and presented at national conferences on leadership and strategic planning.  He is currently conducting additional research on university presidents in dealing with the changing environment of higher education.  He also earned a graduate certificate from the Institute of Educational Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  He received his M.B.A. from the University of Oregon where he specialized in finance and marketing.  He received his undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Nevada, Reno. 

He is married to Cindy and has a "darling daughter" named Kaitlyn Lorraine who is 8 years old.