President Davies leaving MSU for Central Michigan



MURRAY, Ky. -- Murray State University President Bob Davies has announced his resignation, effective September 1. The University's Board of Regents is expected to move quickly to name an interim president to ensure a seamless transition as the University prepares for a national presidential search.
Dr. Robert O. Davies has served as the president of Murray State University since July 2014. During his tenure, Murray State enrollment dropped from by 9%. Funding for state universities has been on the decline during this time for all state colleges and universities. Murray State escaped the fate of Morehead State and Kentucky State which received zero from a $31 million dollar achievement fund set up by the state.
Davies moves on to a university more than twice as large as Murray State and one with a larger research presence.
"On behalf of the Board of Regents, I want to thank President Davies for his leadership, service and commitment to our student-centered vision at Murray State University over the past four years," said Susan Guess, board chairwoman. "Together, we have celebrated many accomplishments and faced challenges head on. We wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors."

In August 2017, the Murray Messenger reported that Murray State's Board voted to increase Davies' compensation.

"Once again, the board approved of a 1 percent increase to Davies' salary of $300,000 per year. Also approved in August was an increase in compensation for travel by the president's spouse to benefit the university. The amount was increased from $5,000 to $10,000 a year.

Another repeat of the August guidelines was for Davies' deferred compensation to rise from 10 percent to 15 percent for the current year. This would then increase to 20 percent, starting with the 2018-19 year." Murray Messenger: MSU Board approves president's contract

The new contract was through 2021.

Davies' resignation is effective September 1, 2018. Classes at Murray State start August 15, 2018.