Former Quincy University president to fill interim position at Ohio college

ALLIANCE, Ohio – The University of Mount Union Board of Trustees announced Tuesday that Robert A. Gervasi will serve as the interim president during the 2022-23 academic year. Gervasi will succeed Dr. Thomas J. Botzman, who announced his retirement last month. Gervasi is expected to begin his role at Mount Union on June 27.

Gervasi recently spent four years as president of Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. He spent nine years before that at the helm of Quincy University in Quincy, Ill., announcing his resignation in March 2017.

When he resigned, Gervasi said his decision to leave Quincy was unaffected by the school’s financial difficulties. QU had recently announced a five-year financial recovery plan aimed at overcoming a $5 million budget deficit discovered in 2016. The QU faculty targeted Gervasi with a vote of no confidence in early October 2016.

A press release from Mount Union said Gervasi oversaw Ohio Dominican’s 10-year reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and its first-ever public bond refinancing to help stabilize the school’s finances. During Gervasi’s time at Quincy, the institution experienced growth and improvement in numerous areas, including enrollment and diversity.

“We are pleased to have found an interim president who has both breadth and depth in terms of his understanding of the higher education environment,” said Matthew Darrah, chair of Mount Union’s Board of Trustees. “Dr. Gervasi has a proven track record and has successfully navigated many of the challenges currently being experienced at our institution as well as other small, private Midwestern universities.” 

“I am deeply honored to have been selected to lead the University of Mount Union during this important transition,” Gervasi said. “Mount Union has a storied history of excellence in academics, athletics and community service. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students in advancing the University’s mission to prepare students for fulfilling lives, meaningful work and responsible citizenship.”

Before serving as the president of both Ohio Dominican and Quincy, Gervasi served as:

• president and chief executive officer of the Institute for Study Abroad in Indianapolis; 
• dean of Kentucky campuses and dean of external programs for McKendree University in Louisville, Ky.; 
• dean of academic and student affairs at Chatfield College in St. Martin, Ohio;
• executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities.

He also worked in public relations, marketing and publishing for companies such as Bristol-Myers and Procter and Gamble.