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Taking the Lead

Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., appointed as seventh president of Oakland University

Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Oakland University's seventh president sitting on a couch

Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz is Oakland University's seventh president. Photo by Jason Willis.

O U Board Chair Richard L. DeVore standing at podium announcing Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz as the seventh president of Oakland University

Oakland University Board Chair Richard L. DeVore announces Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz as the seventh president of Oakland University in a board meeting held on Thursday, May 4 at the Oakland Center in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Photo by Jason Willis.

Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz entering the room is introduced as Oakland University's seventh president

Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz is introduced as Oakland University's seventh president. Photo by Jason Willis.

O U Board of trustees Unanimously voting to appoint Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz as O U's 7th president

The Oakland University Board of Trustees Unanimously votes to appoint Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz as Oakland University's seventh president. Photo by Jason Willis.

Madam president

icon of a calendarJune 6, 2017

icon of a pencilBy Richard L. DeVore

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During the presidential search process, the resounding response from our University's faculty, staff, students and alumni was to find a top candidate that will be a visionary leader. From a diverse group of 61 applicants, the Board of Trustees unanimously agreed that Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., is that leader, officially electing her the seventh president of Oakland University on Thursday, May 4.

With her expansive experience in higher education and fundraising, the Board of Trustees is confident that
 Dr. Pescovitz is the right president for OU, at the right time, to guide our University to a brighter future.

Dr. Pescovitz served as the University of Michigan's first female executive vice president for medical affairs and the Health System CEO from 2009-2014. There she managed a system
 of three hospitals, more than 120 health centers and clinics, the University of Michigan Medical School, and oversaw $3.3 billion in revenue and $490 million in research funding.

A renowned pediatric endocrinologist and researcher, Dr. Pescovitz has also spent an extensive 21-year career at Indiana University in a variety of roles, including Endowed Professor, Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs at the Indiana University School of Medicine, President and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children, and interim Vice President for Indiana University's Research Administration.

In addition to career credentials that illustrate Dr. Pescovitz has the capacity to lead, her performance throughout the entire interview process has shown that she is eager to learn; learn what makes our community of Golden Grizzlies so unique and learn how best to harness our potential.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Pescovitz to OU as our seventh president with great anticipation that her broad vision will broaden all of our horizons.

Richard L. DeVore

Richard L. DeVore

Chair, Board of Trustees

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