UC s Man With The Plan To Move On

Dale L. McGirr, who oversaw the transformation of the University of Cincinnati campus for the past 15 years, has announced that he will retire on Sept. 30.

McGirr has been associated with UC since 1977. While his early career was dedicated to financial and budgetary matters, McGirr assumed a major role in revitalizing the campus with the adoption of a campus master plan in 1989.

"The Chicago Tribune referred to our campus plan as ‘one of the most significant acts of campus planning since Thomas Jefferson laid out his ‘academic village’ at the University of Virginia," UC President Nancy L. Zimpher said. "It has been an amazing, if not unique, project and required someone with the vision and skills to match Jefferson himself. The University of Cincinnati has gained immensely from Dale’s leadership."

McGirr arrived at the University of Cincinnati just as UC transitioned from a city university to a member of the state system. His experience in Columbus has established him as an authority on state finance.

"I want to thank UC and all my colleagues over the years for the opportunity to work at a great university." McGirr said.   "UC is truly taking its place as a 21st century university, blending its unique strengths in quality programs, experienced-based education, translational research, international study and work opportunities, and urban partnership commitments.  I could not have asked for a better place to work creatively in higher education."

With the adoption of the campus plan, McGirr directed campus planning through four stages, beginning with a major expansion of quality space for instruction and research. This was followed by an effort to create park-like open spaces on the land-locked urban campus, to build connections between the adjacent but distinct East and West campuses and, finally, to address quality of life for the students. The goals of the plan have largely been met. For the first time in 15 years, students on the West Campus will not find construction fences when classes begin in the fall.

As McGirr puts it, "We can now be as proud of our campus as we are of our wonderful academic programs. Those programs deserved facilities that match their aspirations and now they have them.  And the students deserved facilities that serve their needs fully and provide a real, exciting home for them on campus.  I think we have that now."

As an outgrowth of the campus transformation, McGirr set the groundwork for a significant investment in the neighborhoods surrounding the university. With his guidance, the neighborhoods formed development corporations and began work to transform their communities.

"For some time, Dale McGirr and I have been planning for his transition to retirement.  When I first arrived at UC and discovered Dale’s intent to retire sooner rather than later, I asked him to extend his long-successful tenure at UC, and he did," Zimpher said.  "Dale has worked to conclude his tenure at UC by ensuring that we have a viable transition for future initiatives in campus planning, neighborhood development partnerships, and a stronger roadmap for state funding of public higher education."

McGirr, has held the title of senior vice president emeritus since February. Since 2004, he had been senior vice president for planning, finance and community development. McGirr came to UC in 1977 as senior associate to the assistant vice president for administration, and was named director of budget planning in 1978. He was named UC’s vice president for finance in July 1985.  He holds a bachelor’s in corporate finance (1970) and master’s in public administration (1972) from Ohio State University. Before joining the University of Cincinnati, he served on the budget staff of the Ohio General Assembly, coordinated a federally funded project in community development at OSU, and held financial management and budgeting responsibilities with the U.S. Air Force.