This September, Ohio University will celebrate the lasting impact of President Emeritus Brother Roderick J. McDavis (ΣΨ ’67) and First Lady Emerita Deborah McDavis with two major events recognizing their leadership, service, and transformative influence.
“Ohio University is proud to honor the legacy of President Emeritus Roderick J. McDavis and First Lady Deborah McDavis, whose leadership and generosity have shaped our University in extraordinary ways,” said President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “From championing student access and success to strengthening our national reputation, their impact is woven into the very fabric of OHIO.”
The celebration will begin on Friday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m., when President McDavis returns to campus to deliver a public lecture titled “OHIO’s Legacy and the Future of Higher Education” in Baker Theater at Baker University Center. That afternoon, from 2–4 p.m., the University will host a cornerstone dedication and reception at Paw Print Park to commemorate the construction of the Roderick J. McDavis Residence Hall, a 591-bed facility scheduled to open in Fall 2026. It will be the largest residence hall on campus, offering a dynamic living and learning environment for future generations of Bobcats.
Dr. McDavis, OHIO’s first African American president and only the second alumnus to lead the institution, served from 2004 to 2017. His tenure was marked by bold initiatives including the state’s first guaranteed tuition plan, a technology commercialization strategy, and The Promise Lives Campaign, which raised more than $500 million to support students and programs. Together with Deborah McDavis, he championed access and opportunity through initiatives like the Urban Scholars and Appalachian Scholars programs, expanding pathways for first-generation and underserved students.
Beyond campus, Dr. McDavis served on national boards and elevated OHIO’s profile across the country, while Deborah McDavis played a vital role in strengthening community life and supporting students. Their partnership left an indelible mark on the University and higher education more broadly.
“Deborah and I are deeply humbled by this great honor,” Dr. McDavis said. “Ohio University has made a tremendous impact on our lives throughout the years, and it is touching to be recognized in this momentous way by my alma mater—the greatest University on earth.”
A resolution passed by the Ohio University Board of Trustees in August 2025 officially named the new residence hall in recognition of Dr. McDavis’ enduring contributions.
President Gonzalez added, “This honor is well deserved, and the naming of our new residence hall reflects Dr. McDavis’ commitment to student success and equitable access to higher education. I am thrilled to celebrate the McDavises in such a meaningful way.”
Dr. McDavis’ journey with OHIO began in 1966 as a student-athlete and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Sigma Psi Chapter, where he pledged in 1967. After earning his bachelor’s degree in social sciences and secondary education, he went on to receive a master’s from the University of Dayton and a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo. His distinguished career in higher education included leadership roles at the University of Florida, University of Arkansas, and Virginia Commonwealth University before returning to lead his alma mater.
Among his many accolades, Dr. McDavis has been recognized with the Silas Hunt Legacy Award and the Leadership Ohio Award of Excellence. His influence extended beyond Ohio through service on the NCAA Board of Governors and the Ohio Third Frontier Advisory Board.
With the Roderick J. McDavis Residence Hall, future students will call home a building named for a leader whose vision and dedication defined a generation of progress at Ohio University. The hall will embody the values of opportunity, service, and excellence that Rod and Deborah McDavis carried throughout their lives and work—ensuring their legacy continues to inspire.
Source: OHIO Today | Ohio University
