Former Gov. Taft takes job at University of Dayton

Former Gov. Bob Taft said he has accepted a position at the University of Dayton to help the school attract research funding and steer its students toward science, math and related fields.

A Republican who left office in January because of term limits, Taft will join UD on Aug. 15 as a "distinguished research associate for educational excellence," a two-year appointment, he told the Dayton Daily News for a story Thursday.

Taft, 65, will help the private Catholic university launch the Center for Educational Excellence, which will encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math. He also will consult with the Miami Valley P-16 Education Consortium, which works to improve the region's math and science education from preschool through college.

"Taft had mixed results as governor, but he's very well respected nationally as a leader of education reform," said Mickey McCabe, vice president for research and executive director of UD's research institute. McCabe will supervise Taft.

Before he left office, Taft said his Third Frontier Project for high-tech investment, tax reform and his efforts to make Ohio schools more effective and accountable were among his most significant accomplishments. But his eight years as governor also were marred by his no contest plea to ethics violations in 2005 and a scandal over investment losses at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

Taft said he was excited about his new opportunity.

"We've got to figure out how to get more students in college, and that's a challenge that I really look forward to," he said.

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com