Dr. Andrew Roth

Dr. Andrew Roth has been named interim president of St. Bonaventure University, Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Daugherty announced today.

Roth will succeed Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, STD, who announced in January her intention to step down July 31 after 12 years as president. Roth begins work Aug. 1 and will serve for the 2016-17 academic year.

A national search for St. Bonaventure's full-time president began in March, with the expectation that a full-time president will be named in December and begin work in summer of 2017. Updates on that search can be found at www.sbu.edu/pres-search.

Roth was president and chief executive officer of Notre Dame College in suburban Cleveland from 2003-2014. During his time there, NDC's enrollment nearly tripled, from 775 to 2,270, and full-time faculty more than doubled.

"To have a leader the caliber of Andy Roth serve as the bridge to a full-time leader is really a wonderful opportunity for us," Daugherty said. "His background in both administration and academics, and his effectiveness as a communicator, is the perfect blend to garner the respect of the Bonaventure community."

Roth's experience at Mercyhurst College was global. His last assignment there as vice president for academic affairs followed service as chief information officer and vice president for enrollment, before which he was director of admissions and dean of admissions and financial aid.

Roth also has significant experience in fundraising, budget management, and athletics, including founding and coaching the women's soccer program at Mercyhurst (1986-1990).

"St. Bonaventure is a wonderful institution with an outstanding reputation both regionally and nationally," Roth said. "I look forward to working with the St. Bonaventure community to further retiring president Sr. Margaret's success, to transition smoothly to the next president, and to ensuring that St. Bonaventure's mission-centric, values-based education not only survives into the future, but thrives."

Beginning his career as an instructor in English at Gannon University in 1970, Roth also taught English, communications and business at Mercyhurst, where he was a tenured faculty member.

In addition, he continued to teach at least one course per year during his presidency at Notre Dame College. Although he has had a long career as an administrator, Roth said his first love is teaching and the work of a faculty member.

Roth has bachelor's degrees in English and history from John Carroll University; a master's in English language & literature from Case Western Reserve University; an MBA in marketing & strategic planning from Gannon; and a Ph.D. in public policy & higher education finance from the University at Buffalo.

"Dr. Roth has superb administrative experience in Catholic higher education. This will serve him — and our university — well and allow him to get up to speed quickly," said Sr. Carney. "I sensed his intuitive grasp of the communitarian spirit of Bona's and its national reputation — an asset he understands very well. I look forward to working with Andy to assure a smooth transition."

One of Roth's first tasks will be helping to implement St. Bonaventure's new strategic plan, which will be presented to the Board of Trustees next week for approval. Roth worked on strategic planning at Notre Dame and Mercyhurst, and was so well respected for his acumen that other colleges and civic organizations sought his advice.

"One of my mantras is 'think big, start small, move fast,'" he said. "The St. Bonaventure community has already done the 'big thinking' with the new strategic plan. During this transition year, we will identify those tactical initiatives that we can implement to keep the university's forward momentum moving. It'll be both fun and exciting to help the university community begin to bring the plan to life."

Roth is married to retired banker Judy Owens Roth. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.