toledoblade.com --

Howard University had a clear vision for its 16th president.

After "listening tours" and other meetings with the university community and alumni around the world, it was evident the person should be a strong academic leader with a focus on quality, an experienced manager who gets results, and someone with great communication and fund-raising skills.

Bowling Green State University President Sidney Ribeau fit that description.

"We saw those skills, we saw those attributes, but what really made it absolute were the results he had at Bowling Green," A. Barry Rand, chairman of Howard's board of trustees, said.

Mr. Ribeau, 60, who has led BGSU for 13 years, was at Howard yesterday introducing himself and beginning to build relationships with his new campus community in a series of town-hall meetings.

Mr. Ribeau could not be reached for comment.

"I'm pleased to say I had a number of people who walked up and said, 'You guys made a very good choice,' " Mr. Rand said.

Mr. Ribeau officially will become Howard's president on Aug. 1, succeeding H. Patrick Swygert, who will retire after 13 years.

Details of Mr. Ribeau's contract are not being made public, but tax records show that during the 2005-2006 year, Mr. Swygert had a total compensation of more than $552,000.

Mr. Ribeau's salary at BGSU is almost $314,000.

Mr. Ribeau was selected to lead Howard after a highly competitive, eight-month, nationwide search that yielded more than 250 candidates. About eight were interviewed by the search committee.

"The thing that stands out most about him is the respect that he has garnered from not only the university community, but the community in Ohio," said Marcus Ware, the outgoing president of the Howard University Student Association who was on the presidential search committee.

Mr. Ware said students felt it was important to have a president they could connect with and who had their best interests in mind.

Mr. Ribeau's programs for students, such as the BGeXperience and the President's Leadership Academy, and his relationship with the student body set him apart, Mr. Ware said.

The chairmen of the search committee, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Richard D. Parsons, chairman of Time Warner Inc., also said in a statement that Mr. Ribeau's experience and reputation made him a good fit.

"The search committee was very impressed with Dr. Ribeau's credentials and his reputation as a facilitator of change and collegial leader," Mr. Powell said.

"He is a charismatic executive who works effectively inside and outside the institution he heads."

Mr. Parsons added: "Dr. Ribeau brings to Howard a complete academic resume having served as professor, dean, and vice president. He has built a well-rounded and impressive resume as a scholar and academic leader in higher education and has a solid record as an effective fund-raiser."

Under Mr. Ribeau's leadership, Bowling Green's "Building Dreams" capital campaign exceeded its $120 million goal a year ahead of schedule.

Howard completed its largest capital campaign in December, raising $275 million in five years, topping its goal of $250 million.

Contact Meghan Gilbert at:
mgilbert@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.

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