The board also formally accepted the resignation of President Mark A. Murray who announced in January that he will leave the university to become president of Meijer Inc. Murray's resignation takes effect August 1, but he will begin taking earned vacation time July 1.
The board unanimously passed the resolution and Davis got a standing ovation from board members and colleagues present at the meeting. She said it's very natural for the chief academic officer to be tapped for the interim role and she already is involved with the president's work. "Mark and I already work so closely together," Davis pointed out. "There's not a lot I'm not familiar with, and Mark and I plan to work even more closely in the next month getting me prepared to serve as interim president for as long as I'm needed."
Donna Brooks, chair of the President Search Advisory Committee (SAC), said the university may only need an interim president for a short period of time. The SAC is charged with getting a list of suitable candidates to the Presidential Search Committee by June 30. "We are right on schedule, perhaps even ahead of schedule," said Brooks. "I am very pleased with the candidates we have so far."
Davis, who has been at Grand Valley since 2002, said she does not want the job permanently. She stressed that she's very comfortable working with the academic side of the university and looks forward to working with another strong leader as president.
Davis joined Grand Valley on July 1, 2002. She also holds the rank of professor of history. She is chair of the academic affairs officers committee of the Presidents Council State Universities of Michigan. She also serves on the board of Art And Museum Commissioners for the city of Grand Rapids and the Huntington National Bank Women's Initiative Advisory Council.
Prior to joining the university, Davis was associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Wichita State University in Kansas, a position she held from 1994. Davis was a faculty member in the department of Women's Studies at Wichita State and served as chair from 1992-1995. She served on the board of directors for the Kansas State Historical Society and the Kansas Humanities Council, serving both boards as president at various times.
Davis received her Ph.D. in American Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Art History from Michigan State University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Muskingum College.
For more information, contact Mary Eilleen Lyon, News and Information Services, (616) 331-2221.
