Dr. Carol A. Cartwright is named BGSU president

The Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees voted Tuesday (Jan. 6) to name Dr. Carol A. Cartwright as president of BGSU. Cartwright has been serving as the University’s interim president since last July, just prior to the departure of former President Sidney Ribeau in August.

Cartwright has agreed to a two-year contract extension ending in June 2011.
 
John Harbal, board of trustees chair, said that after consulting with members of the presidential search committee and receiving feedback from the University community, BGSU suspended its presidential search “because we already had the best person for the job.” Although the search committee had not yet begun a review of applications, the board was encouraged to persuade Cartwright to stay.

“There are very choppy waters ahead for the state of Ohio and higher education,” Harbal said. “Given the economic and related challenges we face, the search committee and the board believe BGSU must have an experienced leader at the helm. We are extremely fortunate and grateful that Dr. Cartwright agreed to delay her retirement for another two years to lead the University through these unpredictable times.”

Cartwright said that while the decision to put her retirement plans on hold was difficult, the decision to stay at BGSU was an easy one.

“I’ve always had a passion for higher education and working to make a difference.  That’s not something you can turn off,” she said. “While I’ve only been here a short time, I already feel like a part of the University and the community. We can continue to accomplish some great things at BGSU. I feel privileged to have been asked to lead the University as we begin our second century of service.”

The president of Kent State University from 1991-2006, Cartwright’s experience in Ohio was key, according to Harbal. “She’s not afraid of change,” he said. “She understands the opportunities of the University System of Ohio and has supported its goals and the vision of Gov. Strickland and Chancellor Fingerhut from the beginning.”

“Ohio’s leaders understand that higher education is the key to a strong economy,” Cartwright said. “The state’s expectations are on target. They expect alignment with statewide goals and the best use of resources. My time here has shown me that there are tremendous opportunities to partner with other colleges and universities and the private sector to achieve these important outcomes.”

Cartwright becomes BGSU’s 10th president and the first woman to lead the University.

She made history as the first woman president of a state university in Ohio as Kent State’s 10th president, overseeing one of the country’s largest university systems, with eight campuses serving more than 34,000 students.

In addition to helping BGSU navigate a difficult economy, Cartwright said her top priorities will be launching a search for a new provost, developing new ways to boost enrollment and forging new relationships with northwest Ohio education and business partners.

Prior to her service at Kent State, she was vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of California, Davis, and dean for undergraduate programs and vice provost at Pennsylvania State University.

She has held prominent leadership roles in higher education’s most influential national organizations, chairing the board of directors of the American Association for Higher Education and serving on the boards of directors of the American Council on Education, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities board.

She also serves on the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Public Radio Board of Directors.

Cartwright earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.

###

(Posted January 06, 2009 )