UToledo Board of Trustees Approve Honorary Degrees

UToledo Board of Trustees Approve Honorary Degrees

Community leaders who will participate in The University of Toledo's spring commencement ceremonies will receive honorary degrees in recognition of their service.

The UToledo Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved honorary degrees for the Honorable Randy Gardner, former chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and Dr. Romules Durant, superintendent and CEO of Toledo Public Schools.

Gardner, who will be the commencement speaker for the morning undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4 in Savage Arena, will receive a Degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, in recognition of his service to the state of Ohio that includes a combined 33 years in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives.

Durant, who will give the commencement address for the afternoon undergraduate ceremony, will receive a Degree of Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the education of Toledo children as a teacher and district leader.

The Board had previously approved an honorary degree for Ramona Collins, a well-known jazz artist, in recognition of her musical achievements and community engagement. She will receive a Degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa. Collins will sing the national anthem at the morning commencement ceremony.

Trustees approved a resolution to authorize the University's administration to execute a proposed updated Academic Affiliation and Transition Agreement and the Transition Plan and Resident Allocation Agreement with ProMedica Health System.

It is the next step in developing a new version of the Academic Affiliation Agreement between the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and ProMedica that was initially implemented in 2015.

The new agreement under development also needs to be approved by ProMedica's Board of Trustees and reviewed by the Ohio Attorney General. Once it is final, the University will share details of the new agreement.

"The University of Toledo is excited to continue our partnership with ProMedica and our shared commitment to enhance the recruiting, training, education and retention of UToledo medical students, residents and fellows," UToledo President Gregory Postel said. "In addition to supporting the University's excellent academic medical programs, this agreement also supports improved access to high-quality healthcare in our community and elevates the stature of Toledo as a strong academic medical community."

Trustees also approved several purchases, including a contract with HES Facilities to provide services for residence life, a Medtronic navigation equipment for spinal surgeries at the hospital and enter into an agreement with myFootpath, a strategic enrollment consultant that specializes in bringing back students who had been previously enrolled at UToledo.