Spina takes over as UD president

UD’s new leader

Name: Eric F. Spina

Job: 19th president, University of Dayton

Experience: Spina worked at Syracuse University for 28 years, rising to the position of vice chancellor and provost

Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton University (master's and doctorate)

Family: Wife, Karen; daughter, Kaitlyn; son, Emery.

Quote: "He is a good listener, a good learner and his style aligns with who we are and what we are." — Steve Cobb, chairman, UD board of trustees

Today is Eric Spina’s first official day as the University of Dayton’s 19th president, but before taking over he spent some quality time earlier this week with the two men who preceded him.

One of Spina’s tasks as he transitioned into his new job was to gather in the courtyard outside historic St. Mary’s Hall for an official portrait with outgoing president Dr. Dan Curran and Brother Raymond Fitz, UD president from 1979-2002.

The three men strolled across the courtyard together on Wednesday and posed for UD photographer Larry Burgess. They stood for an official portrait, but also struck a couple jocular poses for fun.

Spina, the former vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse University, will be UD’s second lay president, following Curran, who held the position for 14 years.

The new president’s first day — which also is the 166th anniversary of the university — will include Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, lunch with Marianist brothers and discussing research with students.

“The University of Dayton has an extraordinarily rich history and a bright future,” Spina said in a statement. “I am honored to be invited to play a part in the continued growth of this great university.”

He will be welcomed by UD’s community partners during a gathering hosted by the university’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley.

Spina, who earned his doctorate and master’s degree from Princeton University in mechanical and aerospace engineering, will be officially installed as UD’s president at a ceremony scheduled for April 4.

“The strength of the university is found in our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” he said. “Their passion for social justice and community engagement, drive for excellence, and commitment to an inclusive community is truly inspiring.”

Spina and his family recently moved into the university’s new president’s residence in Oakwood.

New leaders

Spina is part of a new wave of leaders at area universities. Today also is Gregory Crawford’s first day as president of Miami University. Crawford most recently was an associate provost and professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame.

The Ohio native is Miami’s 22nd president, replacing the retiring David Hodge. Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Crawford worked at Brown University, where he was dean of engineering from 2006-08.

Two other prominent area universities are searching for their next leaders. Santa Ono recently stepped down as president at the University of Cincinnati to take the top post at the University of British Columbia.

Wright State is in the early stages of its search to replace David Hopkins, who announced in May that he plans to step down next year. WSU’s search committee held its first meeting last week. The 23-person group is chaired by Doug Fecher, a member of the university board of trustees.

“The committee’s initial task, of course, will be to listen and learn, reaching out to the university’s many constituencies for thoughts and input,” Fecher wrote in a letter to the university. “We will also consider WSU’s history, current strengths and challenges, and the challenges higher education is likely to face in the future as we develop the scope of our work.”

Honoring Curran

In a nod toward Curran, who will take a one-year sabattical before rejoining the faculty while serving as executive-in-residence for Asian affairs at the University of Dayton China Institute in Suzhou, UD announced Thursday that more than $600,000 had been committed to the university’s new Human Rights Center.

The center, a signature part of Curran’s legacy, says part of its mission is to be a “voice for the voiceless.”

“Dan had a bold vision for the center, a center based on advocacy in the Catholic, Marianist spirit that animates this university,” said Mark Ensalaco, Human Rights Center director of research at a farewell dinner for Curran earlier this month.

The gift will go toward the center’s endowment, which will support faculty and student research, advocacy and education initiatives, according the university.

Curran, who has been feted at several events this year, says the thing he will miss most on an everyday basis is UD’s student body.

“The ultimate perk is being with the students all the time; that’s the biggest thing I’ve been concerned about,” Curran said. “You have this very unique relationship with the students over the years. I’ll still be connected, but it’s different. You’re not the president.”