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This article was in Thursday’s (November 17, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Gerry O’Brien, H&N Editor
The Oregon Institute of Technology Board of Trustees named Nagi Naganathan as its seventh president, following a national search begun this spring.
Naganathan, 61, is currently Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Toledo, a position he has held since 2003.
He succeeds Jay Kenton who has been interim president since July 1 after former president Chris Maples chose not to renew his contract earlier this year. Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Naganathan during a Board meeting held at its Wilsonville campus. His salary will be about $300,000.
“My wife and I were so touched by everyone we met in Klamath Falls,” Naganathan told the Herald and News. “It was a big draw for us. It is such a welcoming community. We look forward to look for to being part of the community.”
Chair of the Oregon Tech Board of Trustees Lisa Graham said in a press release issued Wednesday, “The board is very excited about Dr. Naganathan leading Oregon Tech to its next level of innovation and service to students. He understands well all sides of the polytechnic mission and approach to education and preparation for an in-demand career.
“Dr. Naganathan has helped universities excel in some of the strategic opportunities we are beginning to engage in, like industry partnerships, additional market-driven degree offerings, diversifying our revenues and fundraising, and always seeking affordability and excellence for students.
“He has ignited institutions and programs throughout his career, and shown leadership in action with high returns. We welcome Dr. Naganathan and his wife, Kasturi, to the Oregon Tech family and look forward to his arrival on campus by Spring 2017.”
Naganathan is expected to begin his tenure as president of Oregon Tech in the spring of 2017. He will lead a polytechnic university that has seen record enrollment and degrees in recent years, reaching 5,232 students at all of its campuses and sites in fall 2016, and consistently ranking high in graduates’ return on investment.
“We hope to raise the enrollment to 8,000 over the next few years,” he said. But cautioned that enrollment is more than a “head count.”
“Enrollment has to fit the larger picture, mesh with the capacity of the facility, laboratories and so on. We want to be a university that is relevant to the entire state,” he said.
He also noted that the campus and community of Klamath Falls needs to be engaged with each other so that both can be successful.
With three campuses — Klamath Falls, Wilsonville and online — and other delivery sites, Oregon Tech is growing its footprint in Oregon with degrees not offered elsewhere in the state and often the region, that are meeting industry demand in engineering, technology, healthcare and other applied fields.
Naganathan said, “I’m excited about joining Oregon Tech and extend my thanks to the board, search committee, faculty, staff and students for your trust and warm welcome. Oregon Tech has so many unique and high value assets and opportunities at this point in its history. Engaging with everyone to take the university to its next level of excellence is a venture I can’t wait to begin.”
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Bio Box
Dr. Nagi Naganathan has 22 years of academic leadership experience and currently serves as the Dean of Engineering at The University of Toledo, a role he has had since 2003. He also served as interim president of UT from 2014-15 as well as the chief administrator of its academic medical center (UTMC), which includes a hospital.
Between 1978 and 1986, Naganathan worked at the Dana Corp.; was a teaching assistant at both Oklahoma State University and Clarkson University; and worked as a product development engineer at Ashok Leyland Motors, Madras, India.
Naganathan received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University; his M.S. in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University; and his B.E. in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, University of Madras, India.
About OIT
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is the premier public polytechnic university the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering, technology, healthcare, management, communication, and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public, and international communities through hands-on, applied learning.
Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls, an urban, industry-focused campus in Wilsonville, an Online campus, as well as other degree delivery sites. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.
