Two University of Toledo vice presidents will head east after accepting positions at the University of Akron this week.
Lawrence J. Burns, vice president for external affairs, is set to become UA vice president for advancement, in charge of enrollment growth, fundraising and the UA Foundation, civic and government relations, marketing and branding, alumni and donor relations, and community and business partnerships.
Dr. Godfrey Ovwigho, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, will be UA chief information officer in charge of the IT enterprise for the university and the medical center, including business systems, network and telecommunications, information security services, health-care informatics, and desktop engineering and administration.
“Larry has been an integral part of The University of Toledo — and before that the Medical College of Ohio — for decades. And while Godfrey’s tenure has been shorter, he has had a strong impact on advancing UT’s technological infrastructure,” said Interim President Nagi Naganathan. “These are great opportunities, and they will be missed.”
Burns said the decision to leave Toledo was very difficult, but the opportunity to impact the University of Akron in so many ways drove his decision.
“Toledo has been home for [my wife] Judie and I for nearly 25 years, and we have made so many wonderful friends,” Burns said. “I believe much has been accomplished at UT to elevate the Rocket Nation brand on a national level, and I am proud of what external affairs and this University has achieved.”
Burns said the University of Akron offered the chance to put together all the skills he’d developed during his career into one position.
