Former University of Louisville interim president to take over leading role at Ohio

The University of Louisville's former interim president is on the move after landing a prestigious job with Ohio University.

Lori Stewart Gonzalez will be the first woman to serve as Ohio's president, the school announced Wednesday. Her term will begin on July 1.

Gonzalez, originally from the small town of Mt. Vernon in Eastern Kentucky, has served in other senior roles at several public universities, including executive vice president and provost at U of L along with positions at the University of Kentucky and Appalachian State. She was Louisville's interim president for a time after former President Neeli Bendapudi left for the same position at Penn State in December 2021 and before Kim Schatzel was hired last November.

“Dr. Gonzalez has broad experience as an academic leader and a deep commitment to the power of public higher education. What set her apart, however, was her open and honest communication style and her demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and to build strong teams – characteristics our stakeholders told us were of utmost importance," Peggy Viehweger, chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees and of the 16-person presidential search committee, made up of 16 people, said in a release.

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Gonzalez, who hods a doctorate of philosophy in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Florida, will succeed current President Hugh Sherman, who served a two-year term at Ohio and will retire at the end of the school year, the release said.

“Dr. Gonzalez’s background in, and knowledge of, the health sciences will serve her well as President of Ohio University,” Sherman said. “A third of our students are enrolled in health sciences professional programs, and we are home to the largest public medical school in the state. In addition, she brings with her a clear understanding of the region we serve.”

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In the release, Gonzalez said she comes from a family that valued education and that working in the field is "the ultimate opportunity to give back."

“I know that when communities come together to support public education, our cities and towns are strengthened, our civic engagement is elevated and the students we serve discover new opportunities that change their lives and the lives of generations to come," she said.

A University of Louisville alumni account wished Gonzalez luck on the new journey in a Twitter post.

"Congratulations to Provost Lori Gonzalez for recently being named Ohio University's 23rd — and first woman — president. We thank you for the impact you have made at @UofL, and we wish you the best in your new role," the group wrote.

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Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Lori Gonzalez leaving University of Louisville to be president at Ohio