Provost Beverly Davenport Appointed to UC Research Institute Board of Directors

University of Cincinnati Provost Beverly Davenport will join the leadership team of the UC Research Institute, an independent not-for-profit commercialization mechanism.

Davenport, who has served as the university’s chief academic officer since 2013, accepted an appointment to the UCRI Board of Directors during Spring semester.

A key aspect of the University of Cincinnati’s ability to impact community economic growth and development is having an effective interface for faculty and student interactions with its business and community partners. UCRI works as this entity for the UC community.

“Strategic partnerships with business and communities will help drive UC’s Third Century,” Davenport said. “I’m looking forward to adding my voice to this important initiative.”

David Linger, president and CEO of the UC Research Institute, said he is looking forward to welcoming Davenport to the board of directors.

“We are thrilled to add Provost Davenport to our board of directors,” Linger said. “Her leadership and pulse of the University will be a valuable addition to UCRI’s board, especially now in time for the start of our third full year — a critical growth phase of UCRI’s development.”

UCRI serves the community through three specific mechanisms:

• The UCRI serves industry clients by connecting them with internationally recognized faculty experts at UC and providing them with access to highly specialized facilities and equipment they would otherwise have to develop or purchase themselves. This service attracts local, national and international industries and promotes sponsored research at UC.

• The UCRI helps faculty and students commercialize their intellectual property through mentoring, marketing, and support programs.  

• The UCRI provides UC students with experiential learning experiences with industry partners while providing the opportunity to learn commercialization strategies.

The UC Board of Trustees approved UCRI for business in 2012. During the first year of operation, $1.6 million of new business was created through industry partnerships and commercialization opportunities with the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, and the College of Medicine.

Several UC and Cincinnati leaders also serve on the UCRI board, including:

• Ryan Hays, University of Cincinnati, Office of the President      
  

• Larry Johnson, University of Cincinnati, College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Resources
  

• Neil Jordan, Procter & Gamble
  

• Wym Portman, Pon North America
  

• Rob Richardson, National LECET
  

• Tony Shipley, Queen City Angels
  

• Alex Simpson, GE Aviation
  

• Stephanie Smith, Fifth Third Bank
  

• Jeff Weedman, Weedman Ventures, Previously: Procter & Gamble and Cintrifuse
  

For more information about UCRI, visit

www.ucri.org

.