Who’s Hugh?

Sherman speaks to media at an event July 9. Photo by Emily Crebs.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story originally appeared in The New Political’s Summer Magazine: “Coming Home.” Wording in this story was also updated to reflect that The New Political was unable to interview President Hugh Sherman.

In his first message to the Ohio University community after being appointed the university’s next president, Hugh Sherman spoke about his previous positions at Ohio U, his time spent there and the accomplishments of Ohio U –the institution, its alumni, its faculty and its students. 

“I look forward to working with you, making every effort to do so in partnership and with transparency,” Sherman said in his video message to students and faculty. “To ensure that we continue to deliver a truly outstanding educational experience that impacts our students for life.”

If not acquainted with Ohio U’s College of Business, the name “Hugh Sherman” may be an unfamiliar one. Sherman has spent over two decades at Ohio U after a switch from the private sector to academics in 1995 when he joined Ohio U’s staff as an assistant professor of management. 

From there, Sherman went up in the ranks within the College of Business, serving in several high profile roles before becoming the College of Business’ dean, as well as the Corlett Chair of Strategy and Senior Economic Policy fellow at the Voinovich School in 2007. Sherman stayed in those roles until stepping down January 2021 with the intent to return as a faculty member within the College of Business.

His staff biography on Ohio U’s website credits Sherman with leading the College of Business successfully in his 13 years serving as dean. Under Sherman’s leadership, the college was in the top 50 of undergraduate business colleges across the United States, added three more academic centers and doubled the number of enrolled students, according to an OHIO News release. 

Cary Cooper, Ohio U Board of Trustees chairman, shared his thoughts on why the Board of Trustees selected Sherman during this transitional period.

“Hugh Sherman is a respected leader who accomplished a great deal during his time as dean of the College of Business and will make an excellent President during this time of transition,” Cooper said in an Ohio U news release regarding Sherman’s appointment in May. “My fellow Trustees and I have every confidence that Dr. Sherman will not only provide continuity, but also be an inspiring and strategic leader for the institution for the next two years. We are thankful for his continued commitment to Ohio University.”

Sherman has lived in Athens for 25 years, raising his family there. Prior to moving to Athens, Sherman lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he worked for Swatch Watch and founded International Footwear, according to his LinkedIn profile. After stepping down, Sherman and his wife Cynthia established a scholarship for students living in Appalachia. 

Sherman holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Guelph University, a master’s from Northeastern University and a doctorate in international business strategy from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. In 2019, Sherman received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pecs in Hungary.

Sherman’s view of higher education includes looking toward the future and adapting to the ever-changing world. Sherman has spoken about his passion for education in interviews and speeches throughout his career in academia. He referred to Ohio U as being great at creating an all-around learning experience in a Q&A video with a student. 

In his 2019 honorary doctorate acceptance speech, Sherman shared that he believes higher education should focus more on technology-based learning and out-of-classroom experiential learning experiences rather than exclusively concentrating on content-based learning. 

“If higher education wants to remain the focal point of knowledge, its application and a major contributor to economic growth, we must adapt our approaches to teaching and learning,” Sherman said in his speech.

At a media roundtable event held on July 9, 2021, Sherman spoke about his plans for Ohio U. According to reports by The New Political, Sherman’s plans include a university-wide change in the advising system that would model the College of Business’s, adding professional academic advisors and career counselors. This would reduce the advising responsibilities on faculty. 

Sherman also spoke of his wish to create lasting financial stability at Ohio U, although did not offer a plan to do so. He, also, does not plan on replacing the existing members of the university’s leadership. 

Notably, Sherman only wishes to serve as president for the two years of his current contract. 

As the new freshmen flood the streets of Athens come August, they will not be walking alone. Sherman will be walking among them, as the new leader of Ohio U. The freshmen and Sherman have a lot in common: optimism, excitement and the hope that when they walk through Alumni Gateway for the final time, they left the university better than how they found it.

The New Political was unable to interview Sherman at the time this article was written.