Dr. Randy K. Avent is honored as president emeritus by 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic Universityβs Board of Trustees at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12. From left are Trustees Taki Tsetsekas, Dr. Sidney Theis and Cliff Otto, Avent, Board Chair Beth Kigel, and Trustees Patrick Hagen, Dr. Bradford Towle and Ilya Shapiro.
The 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»Board of Trustees has honored Dr. Randy K. Avent with the title of president emeritus, recognizing his exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the University. The designation, reserved for former presidents who have served with distinction, was conferred during the Boardβs meeting on Feb. 12.
Avent was 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs first president, leading the 100% STEM institution from its opening in the fall of 2014 through the spring 2024 semester. Under his guidance, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly established high-demand academic programs and achieved many important milestones, including its critical ABET accreditation in 2019 and regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in 2017.
βItβs an incredible honor to not only be the inaugural president, but the inaugural president emeritus,β Avent said.
As president, Avent worked to build support for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly among the regional community, state legislators, and members of industry. He also oversaw significant campus infrastructure expansion, including the opening of the Barnett Applied Research Center and the launch of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, set to open this spring.
βComing into 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly was an opportunity of a lifetime; not too many people get the opportunity to build a new university from scratch,β Avent said. βThere are great things happening at the University, and I am glad that I was able to play a part in helping it to go from just a dream to being on a path toward being one of the best and top-ranked polytechnics in the nation.β
Beth Kigel, who joined the Board in 2020 and became its chair in the fall of 2024, worked closely with Avent during his time as president. She presented Avent with the emeritus distinction during the Boardβs meeting.
β91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly is a nationally recognized leader in STEM education with a limitless future, and thatβs due in large part to Randyβs relentless dedication,β Kigel said. βThe hard work he, the Board, University leadership and the entire 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly community tackled during its founding decade now provides strong support for everything that lies ahead.β
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