VIENNA - Keith Stotts on Monday gave his final chapel address as president of Ohio Valley University.
The farewell speech was given to a chapel filled with students and staff at OVU's campus.
Stotts, who took the president position two years ago while the college searched for a new president, is returning to his position as university chancellor. Prior to being hired as chancellor, Stotts had served as the university's fifth president.
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Stotts delivers final chapel
Stotts will be succeeded by Harold Shank, a professor from Oklahoma Christian University, who is expected to take the reins of the university this summer. The move marks the end of the college's eighth administration and the beginning of its ninth.
"For two years the eighth administration has worked extremely hard to prepare Ohio Valley University for the arrival of the new president, Harold Shank," Stotts said. "We've tried to build a strong administration, and I think we've done that. This is an exciting time for Ohio Valley University."
Stotts spoke mostly about the incoming administration and the various challenges and responsibilities facing Shank. From improving the college academically to promoting the university within the community, Shank will come into the office with a plan for the future of OVU, he said.
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Keith Stotts listens to introductions Monday shortly before delivering his last chapel address as Ohio Valley University’s eighth president.
"The question you need to be asking yourself is, what can I do?" Stotts told the assembled students. "You have a responsibility. You are the only one who can play this role."
Stotts encouraged soon-to-be graduates to go out in the community and promote the college. He encouraged current students to meet with Shank, provide feedback and take actions to make the campus beautiful and the student body well respected. He also asked them to help incoming students to become more at ease with the campus and to act as mentors.
"This is your campus," he said. "You are the ones that can make a difference."
