In honor of Dr. Monica Posey’s inauguration as the sixth President of Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, the Archives are pleased to present an exhibit about College Presidents and their inauguration ceremonies.
After serving as interim president following Dr. Owens’ departure, Dr. Posey was appointed the 6th President of the college on June 13, 2016; she will be officially inaugurated on October 21st.
Dr. Posey has served the college for the past 24 years in a range of leadership roles including Assistant Dean, Director of Institutional Research & Planning, Academic Vice President, and Provost. Some of her numerous accomplishments include establishing bachelor’s degree pathway agreements with the major area universities and facilitating the start of innovative programs such as Health Information Technology, Computer Network Engineering Technology – Cyber Security, and Sustainable Horticulture. Dr. Posey brings a strong tradition of academic excellence to the position; she has earned an EdD in Educational Foundations from the University of Cincinnati, an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BS from Cornell University. Dr. Posey is the first African-American female president of a major educational institution in the Cincinnati area.
Dr. Posey poses with student scholars at the July 15, 2016 Dean’s List and Merit List Recognition Event
Dr. Posey speaks at a June 17, 2016 press conference, her first as Cincinnati State’s president.
Dr. Posey (Seen here with her husband Rev. Dr. Michael Posey) represents Cincinnati State and throws the first pitch at the Great American Ballpark on May 3, 2016
Dr. Posey hands out diplomas at Cincinnati State’s Commencement Exercise held on May 8, 2016 at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.
Dr. Posey cuts the ribbon at the April 14, 2016 dedication of the 12 booth, state-of-the-art welding lab on Cincinnati State’s Clifton Campus.
PAST PRESIDENTS
The first President of Cincinnati State (then called Cincinnati Technical Institute) was Clifford R. House. He served as President of the college from 1969-1976. After his departure, the Board of Trustees commissioned House to write a history of the first decade of the college.
In 1976, Frederick Schlimm was appointed President of the college, a title he would hold until May 31, 1989. During his tenure, he launched the college’s first-ever capital campaign and successfully lobbied for state funds for a childcare center, which was the first ever on an Ohio two-year campus. Also, enrollment doubled from 2,000 to over 4,000 students and the number of program options jumped from 35 to 45.
On January 1, 1990, Dr. James Long became the third President of the College. He was the first President to be inaugurated during an official ceremony on May 11, 1990. During his tenure, the CTC Board of Trustees voted to convert CTC to a state community college on July 27, 1993. On September 1, 1994, the college was officially changed to Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Also, in September 1994, the Health Professional Building and the Ludlow Parking garage were opened.
In January 1997, the college appointed Sister Jean Patrice Harrington to serve as Interim President while they searched for a permanent replacement. Sister Jean had previously served as the President of the College of Mount St. Joseph from 1977-1987, as well as a previous chairwoman of the Miami University Board of Trustees. She served in this capacity until Dr. Ron Wright was appointed President in July 1997.
In 1997, Dr. Ron Wright became
the fourth President of the College (see inaugural program below). He was inaugurated on March 6, 1998. In 2000, the Workforce Development Center (WDC) was opened as a site for corporate training programs including computer-training, hazardous materials and industrial maintenance training. A second parking garage on Central Parkway was opened in September 2003. In November 2004, the Advanced Technology & Learning Center (ATLC) building was opened.
In 2007, the college appointed Dr. John Henderson to serve as Interim President, a role he would keep for 3 years. Dr. Henderson had previously served as President of Wilberforce University and had once been Vice President for Institutional Development and Community Relations at Cincinnati State in the 1980s. He served in this capacity until Dr. O’dell Owens was appointed President in 2010.
Dr. O’dell Owens was appointed the 5th President of the college in 2010. He was officially inaugurated on September 23, 2011. During his tenure, the college opened a new branch campus in Middletown, OH in 2012. Enrollment grew to its largest number ever in Fall 2013 to over 11,000 students. Owens also brought regional and national attention to campus for initiatives such as Get Skills to Work for veterans, green energy/conservation programs, workforce development, and the culinary program.
Inaugurations
The inauguration of a college or university president is a ceremony steeped in academic tradition. The ceremony is customarily held during the new president’s first year in office. During the official proceedings, the oath of office is conferred by the chairperson of the institution’s board of trustees.
The college did not hold official inauguration ceremonies for its first two presidents. Inaugural programs for Dr. Long, Dr. Wright, Dr. Owens, and Dr. Posey are available below.
Inauguration program of James P. Long May 11, 1990
Inauguration program of Ron D. Wright March 3, 1998
Inauguration program of O’dell M. Owens September 23, 2011
Inauguration program of Dr. Monica Posey October 21, 2016
Dr. James P. Long with inaugural regalia, including the CTC medallion.
Dr. Ron D. Wright inauguration portrait
Dr. O’dell M. Owens inauguration portrait
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