UC Board Extends Dr. Martin Roth’s Contract

UC President’s Contract Extended to June 2025.

Charleston, WV – May 15, 2021 – The University of Charleston Board of Trustees has extended the contract of its 26th president, Dr. Martin Roth. Roth has served as the school’s president since July 1, 2018. The contract will extend to June 2025.

“I know I speak for the entire Board when I say that we are pleased to offer President Marty Roth a contract renewal to continue to lead and manage the University of Charleston,” said Pat Graney, President of the UC Board of Trustees. “Our Presidential Search Team worked hard to find the right candidate three years ago when Ed Welch retired. We recognized Marty as a leader who would build upon our past success, lead us in new and creative directions and move UC successfully into the next chapter. His leadership during this pandemic has been outstanding, and we couldn’t be happier that we will have Marty and Lynn in Charleston for the foreseeable future.”

Stepping in to run a university is never a simple job, but Roth has successfully steered the university through the coronavirus pandemic that forced the administration and Board to change direction rapidly, send employees and students home, and rethink the way the university conducted its classes and the business of running it.

During Roth’s current tenure, UC has experienced significant enrollment growth; increases in retention, alumni engagement, and fundraising; and grant awards from private foundations, individual donors, and federal sources. New programs have been launched, particularly in the business, healthcare, and STEM fields. The Welch Athletic Complex was completed and opened in the fall of 2019. Under his guidance, the university is making several physical changes as well – changing the former Boathouse to an outdoor recreation center and remodeling outdated classrooms in venerable Riggleman Hall to provide technology-rich classrooms and lounge areas for students, a new Admissions Welcome Center, and a Sales Center learning space for the School of Business & Leadership.

“I am fortunate and honored to serve as the University of Charleston’s president and appreciate the Board of Trustees’ support and confidence,” said Roth. “We have an exceptional board, outstanding faculty, dedicated staff, a supportive surrounding community, and inspiring students to work with every day. Together we live our values of student focus, high quality, and integrity and fulfill our mission to educate each student for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement. We have many successes to celebrate and ambitious plans underway. I look forward to leading UC’s continued growth and success.”

Roth came to UC from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, where he served as dean. He is a native of Pittsburgh and earned his doctorate, MBA, and BA from the University of Pittsburgh.