The University of Toledo Board of Trustees announced today a five-year contract with incoming president Dr. Sharon Gaber, a final step as she prepares to take the reins of the University July 1.
Gaber
“Leaders with the ability to unite organizations the size of this university, create a single vision and pull toward the same goal are rare,” Zerbey said. “And we’re so fortunate to have such a person in Sharon Gaber.”
In addition to its core missions of education, patient care, and research and scholarship, UT is a community leader deeply engaged with businesses and nonprofit organizations to lift this region’s stature and advance this community through economic development, Zerbey said,
Gaber, who has spent several days every few weeks at UT since being named president-designate in March, said she has been mapping out her first months in office and believes the transition will be very smooth.
“We’re going to hit the ground running,” Gaber said. “Interim President Nagi Naganathan has done great work this year ensuring UT continues to move forward, and it has positioned me and the University very well for what lies ahead.”
Gaber has identified the recruitment of outstanding and highly talented students, faculty and staff among her top priorities. This will be accomplished in a framework of growth in enrollment, retention and graduation rates; increased philanthropy and fundraising; and a push to boost externally funded research among her top priorities she will begin focusing on immediately.
Zerbey said the board looked at comparable presidential compensation packages to provide a framework for its decision making during the negotiation process.
Gaber’s contract calls for an annual salary of $450,000 as well as deferred compensation of $80,000 per year.
“As UT’s president, a key piece of my job is to raise the resources needed for student scholarships, faculty instructional and research efforts, and the technology and facilities across the University that are essential to institutional success,” Gaber said.
“I understand fully the investment and high expectations appropriately placed on me to raise millions of dollars to benefit the students, employees, alumni and supporters of The University of Toledo,” she said.
