University of Dayton Names First Woman President

The University of Dayton has named Darlene Weaver its 20th president, making her the first woman to lead the university in its 176-year history. Weaver, who now serves as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, will begin on July 1, 2027. She succeeds Eric Spina, who plans to retire. Weaver is a scholar of ethics and moral theology with more than two decades of experience in Catholic higher education. She has helped develop student advising and experiential-learning initiatives, first-year AI coursework, and an IBM partnership to establish a semiconductor lab. She has said she will build on UD's Catholic, Marianist mission and prepare students for professional success and lives of service, while addressing technological change and questions about higher education's value. right-rated WRGT reported the appointment. No factual disputes appear in the record.