Florida Polytechnic University has named the five finalists in the running to become the second president of the Lakeland-based university, which was founded in 2012 as an all-STEM school. It opened its doors in 2014, with Randy Avent as the inaugural president.
Avent announced his retirement last July and will serve until the end of the academic year. After that, Avent will travel to Spain as the 2024-2025 recipient of the Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award, studying the role of academic research in driving economic development.
The presidential search committee voted Thursday on the five men, who all hold doctoral degrees.
“Our search committee thoroughly reviewed, vetted, and interviewed a vast pool of exceptionally qualified candidates to identify and recommend these finalists,” Beth Kigel, vice-chair of the Florida Poly Board of Trustees and chair of the Presidential Search Committee said in a news release.
“I extend my gratitude to the members of the search committee for their time and commitment to ensuring a successful process and to the candidates engaged in the application and interview process for their enthusiasm and desire to help shape the future of Florida Poly,” she said.
H. Keith Moo-Young
H. Keith Moo-Young is the vice provost and dean of undergraduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research university in Troy, N.Y. He has also served as:
- Chancellor at Washington State University–Tri-Cities from 2013-2018.
- Dean of the College of Engineering at California State University–Los Angeles from 2006-2013.
- Associate dean for research and graduate studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he also served as interim dean.
- And a tenured professor in civil and environmental engineering at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Under Moo-Young’s stewardship at WSU, enrollment at the campus grew by 21%, totaling 1,825 students for the spring 2013 semester. The Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center, considered one of the most technologically advanced in the world, was established on campus during his tenure.
Moo-Young is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, and National Academy of Inventors. He served as the chair of the Environmental Engineering Committee for the Science Advisory Board of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He is also a member of the National Advisory Board of Great Minds in STEM.
He earned a Ph.D. and master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an executive master’s degree in technology management from the University of Pennsylvania.
David P. Norton
David. P. Norton has served as the vice president for research at the University of Florida in Gainesville for the past 12 years, overseeing a budget of $1.25 billion per year.
Prior to this, he was:
- Associate dean for research in the UF College of Engineering from 2009-2012.
- A faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering since joining UF in 2000.
- An engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 11 years.
He has published more than 370 refereed journal articles with more than 17,000 citations. Norton is an inventor on 10 patents and has presented more than 70 invited presentations at national and international events.
He is a fellow of the American Vacuum Society, the American Physical Society, the National Academy of Inventors, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also a member of the Materials Research Society and the Electrochemical Society.
Norton earned his bachelor and Ph.D. degrees at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Daniel W. O’Sullivan
Daniel W. O’Sullivan is vice provost and professor of chemistry at the U.S. Naval Academy. He has served the academy in its Division of Mathematics and Science curriculum and assessment committees, as chair of the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, vice president of the Faculty Senate, chairman of the Chemistry Department and senior professor for the Division of Mathematics and Science. He also became vice academic dean in 2017.
In addition to his USNA duties, O’Sullivan is an associate editor for the journal Marine Chemistry and has published numerous research articles.
According to a biography issued by Florida Poly, he has been recognized for his research contributions with two NASA Group Achievement Awards and the USNA Civilian Faculty Research Excellence Award. His service contributions have been recognized with a U.S. Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Award, given for “service or contributions resulting in high value or benefits for the Navy or the Marine Corps.”
He has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on external research funding from the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, and the Office of Naval Research.
O’Sullivan graduated magna cum laude from Millersville University with degrees in chemistry and Earth science. He performed his graduate work at the University of Rhode Island, earning his Ph.D. in chemical oceanography. O’Sullivan received a Rosenstiel Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami.
G. Devin Stephenson
G. Devin Stephenson is president of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida.
He has extensive experience in community college executive administration, including:
- President of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, from 2009-14.
- Vice President of external affairs at Bevill State Community College in Sumiton, Alabama, from 1992-2002 and 2006-08.
- And dean of students at Walker State Technical College, also in Sumiton, from 1976-92.
According to a story in the Northwest Florida Daily News, Stephenson’s inspiration to work as a college administrator stemmed from his work in the financial aid office, saying he “loved making a difference in the lives of college students. I’ve never lost that passion. We do it one student and one opportunity at a time.”
He added that his parents “instilled in my sister and I a really strong set of values, including being honest, being people of integrity, respecting people from all walks of life and having a strong work ethic.”
During Stephenson’s tenure at Northwest Florida State College, the Foundation’s assets increased to more than $63 million, grant acquisitions surpassed $66 million, and enhanced legislative appropriations exceeded $40 million.
Stephenson served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Board of Trustees, chaired the SACSCOC Compliance and Reports Committee, and currently serves as a visiting committee chair. He currently serves as Florida’s representative on the Executive Council of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Executive Council, and was appointed in 2022.
Florida Poly officials said Stephenson is a noted speaker on leadership, organizational change, and professional and personal development. In 2022, he was awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. In 2023, The University of Alabama College of Education honored him with their Harold Bishop Alumni Leadership Award.
Stephenson holds a Ph.D. higher education administration from the University of Alabama.
Bjong Wolf Yeigh
Bjong Wolf Yeigh is a professor of engineering at the University of Washington–Bothell who served as its chancellor from 2013-2021. He was the university’s third chancellor, overseeing the expansion of its academic programs, the doubling of student enrollment, and an increase in philanthropic support.
His experience includes:
- Professor and president of the State University of New York Institute of Technology from 2008-2013.
- Vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
- Engineering dean at Saint Louis University, in St. Louis, Missouri.
- And assistant provost for science and technology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
He was a finalist last year for president of Florida Tech University in Melbourne.
His research includes “Transportation Systems, Accident Reconstruction, Disaster Models.”
Yeigh is an elected fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and serves on several national and state boards for engineering, economic development, public policy, and education including the ASME Board of Governors as an elected at-large member.
He earned his undergraduate degree in engineering science from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering and operations research from Princeton University.
Yeigh is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Yeigh served as a tactical intelligence officer for Fighter Squadron 74 aboard the USS Saratoga in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Next steps
Florida Polytechnic University has an enrollment of 1,618 students, including 49 graduate students, 86 faculty members, 187 staff, 12 undergraduate programs and four graduate programs.
The next steps for the finalists will be in-person interviews with the University Board of Trustees as well as campus forums with stakeholders such as students, faculty, and staff. The schedule of interviews and campus visits will be available in the coming days on the Presidential Search website.
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