Dr. C. Brent DeVore had athletics in his upbringing, playing football and running track at Zanesville High School before going on to outstanding accomplishments in the professional world. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, master’s and doctorate degrees from Kent State University, and also served for six years in the Ohio Army National Guard.

DeVore ultimately entered college administration, serving as Executive Director of the Kent State University Foundation, Vice President of Hiram College, and President of Davis & Elkins College before becoming the 19th President of Otterbein in 1984. He quickly brought strong leadership to the position, focusing admission efforts on Ohio students and improving retention rates.

His approach over the next quarter-century nearly doubled enrollment as Otterbein surpassed 3,100 students, with the campus jumping dramatically in size and constructing and renovating many buildings. During his tenure, the endowment increased from $6 million to $100 million.

A true supporter of many departments, DeVore held a strong grasp of athletics and how the extra-curricular experience played a role in the development of a true liberal arts education. DeVore, a frequent supporter at events, saw the institution through some challenging financial times when money was tight. He worked closely with the Vida Clements Foundation and the O Club to keep athletics as an integral part of the campus and allow it to progress the same as academics.

Otterbein added women’s golf as an 18th varsity sport in the late 1990’s at a time when the student-athlete population was consistently growing. The Cardinals then experienced some memorable accomplishments after the turn of the century, beginning with men’s basketball winning the 2002 national championship in what remains the school’s only national title in a team sport. The men’s golf team nearly reached that same status, finishing top-4 at the NCAA’s each year between 1997-01, and the men’s soccer team reached the NCAA title contest in 2002.

DeVore then helped complete a multi-year upgrade to sports and recreational facilities, including the $9.5 million construction of the Clements Center in 2002 and a $3 million upgrade to Memorial Stadium in 2005 that featured a grandstand, state-of-the-art locker rooms, a training room and equipment room.

At the time of his retirement in June 2009, DeVore’s 25 years made him the longest-serving president at a four-year school in Ohio. A well-rounded leader, he placed a high importance on giving back within the community and helping someone else in need. On average, students and staff donated roughly 32,000 hours of service per year under his guidance. In recognition of his service on the boards of 23 national and local non-profit organizations, DeVore was presented with the White House Call-to-Service Award for Lifetime Achievement.

He and his wife, Nancy Nikiforow, continue to reside locally in Columbus. They have four adult children and three grandchildren.