List of presidents of Ohio State University

President of Ohio State University
AppointerBoard of Trustees
Term lengthNo term limit
Inaugural holderEdward Orton, Sr
WebsiteOffice of the President

This list of presidents of The Ohio State University includes all who have served as university presidents of The Ohio State University since its founding in 1870. The Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1870, as a land-grant university and ninth university in Ohio with the Morrill Act of 1862,[1] the university was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1878, in light of its expanded focus, the college permanently changed its name to Ohio State University.

History

The first president of Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College is Edward Orton, Sr. who served from 1873 to 1881. During Orton's term, the university became Ohio State University, in 1878. Karen A. Holbrook took office in 2002 and was the first female president. E. Gordon Gee is the only president who served two terms after from serving from 1990 to 1998 and returning in 2007-2013. Michael V. Drake, former chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, assumed the role of university president on June 30, 2014.[2] Drake also serves as the first African American president of the university. On June 3, 2020, it was announced that Kristina M. Johnson, the former chancellor of State University of New York, would be taking over as the 21st president. She was the first member of the LGBT community to openly serve in the position.[3] After serving approximately two and a half years of her five year contract, Johnson resigned at the request of the university's board of trustees.[4]

Presidents of The Ohio State University

The following persons have served as president of Ohio State University:[5][6]

#ImageNameTerm startTerm endLifeRefs.
President of Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College (1873–1878)
1Edward Orton, Sr. [a]September 17, 1873June 20, 18811829–1899[7]
Presidents of Ohio State University (1878–present)
2Walter Q. ScottJune 21, 1881June 19, 18831845–1917[8]
3William H. Scott [b][c]June 20, 1883June 30, 18951840–1937[9][10][11]
4James H. Canfield [d]July 1, 1895June 30, 18991847–1909[12]
5William Oxley Thompson [e]July 1, 1899November 5, 19251855–1933[13]
interim George W. Rightmire [f] November 6, 1925 March 1926 1868–1952
6 March 1926 June 30, 1938 [14]
actingWilliam McPherson [g]July 1, 1938January 31, 19401864–1951
7Howard L. Bevis [h]February 1, 1940June 30, 19561885–1968
8Novice G. Fawcett [i]August 1, 1956August 31, 19721909–1998
9Harold L. Enarson [j]September 1, 1972August 31, 19811919–2006
10Edward H. Jennings [k]September 1, 1981August 31, 19901937–2019
11E. Gordon GeeSeptember 1, 1990December 14, 1997 [l]1944–[15][16]
actingJohn Richard Sisson [m]December 15, 1997June 30, 19981936–[17]
12William Kirwan [n]July 1, 1998June 30, 2002 [o]1938–[18][19]
interimEdward H. Jennings [p]July 1, 2002September 30, 20021937–2019[20][21]
13Karen A. HolbrookOctober 1, 2002June 30, 20071942–[22][23][24]
interimJoseph A. AluttoJuly 1, 2007September 30, 20071942–[25]
14E. Gordon GeeOctober 1, 2007June 30, 2013 [q]1944–[26][27][28]
interimJoseph A. AluttoJuly 1, 2013June 29, 20141942–[29][30]
15Michael V. Drake [r]June 30, 2014June 30, 2020 [s]1951–[31][32][33][34]
16 Kristina M. Johnson August 24, 2020 May 7, 2023 [t] 1957– [35][36][37]
acting Peter Mohler August 22, 2023 December 31, 2023 1973– [38][39]
17 Walter E. Carter Jr. January 1, 2024 March 9, 2026 [u] 1959– [40][41][42]
18 Alleviating CS-GAG...Ravi Bellamkonda Ravi V. Bellamkonda March 12, 2026 Present 1968– [43]

Table notes:

  1. ↑ Orton Hall is named in his honor
  2. ↑ Not related to Walter Quincy Scott
  3. ↑ Three buildings on campus are named "Scott", including Scott Hall. Scott Laboratory and Scott House are not named in his honor.
  4. ↑ Canfield Residence Hall is named in his honor.
  5. ↑ William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and statue named in his honor.
  6. ↑ Rightmire Hall is named in his honor.
  7. ↑ McPherson Lab is named in his honor.
  8. ↑ Bevis Hall is named in his honor.
  9. ↑ The Fawcett Center is named in his honor.
  10. ↑ Enarson Classroom is named in his honor.
  11. ↑ Jennings Hall is named in his honor.
  12. ↑ Resigned to head Brown University.
  13. ↑ Sisson Hall is named in his honor.
  14. ↑ The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity is named in his honor.
  15. ↑ Resigned to lead the University System of Maryland.
  16. ↑ Jennings Hall is named in his honor.
  17. ↑ Gee steps down after making inappropriate remarks.
  18. ↑ Drake Performance and Event Center is not named in his honor.
  19. ↑ Resigned to lead the University of California system.
  20. ↑ Forced to resign.
  21. ↑ Forced to resign over an 'inappropriate relationship'.

Notes or references

  1. ↑ Berdahl, Robert M. (October 5, 1998). "Discussion of "Flagship Universities" by UC-Berkeley Chancellor Berdahl". University of California, Berkeley. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Ohio State president's first week to be packed with meetings". Dispatch.com. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ Baird, Nathan; clevel; .com (June 3, 2020). "SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson to be next Ohio State University President: Reports". cleveland. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Ohio State President Kristina Johnson confirms she's made 'difficult decision' to resign". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Ohio State University Presidents". OSU.
  6. ↑ "Past Presidents". OSU.
  7. ↑ "Edward Orton, Sr". OSU.
  8. ↑ "Walter Quincy Scott". OSU.
  9. ↑ "Peter L. and Clara M. Scott Gift Supports New Mechanical Engineering Building". Ohio State News. May 15, 2003. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ Kirschenheiter, Kim (November 12, 2001). "Hall names reflect honor of past students". The Lantern. Retrieved April 23, 2024. Scott House for Robert R. Scott
  11. ↑ "William Henry Scott". OSU.
  12. ↑ "James Hulme Canfield". OSU.
  13. ↑ "William Oxley Thompson". OSU.
  14. ↑ "George Washington Rightmire". OSU.
  15. ↑ Bennett, David J. (June 28, 1990). "Gee brings colorful legacy to Ohio State". The Lantern. Vol. 111, no. 4. p. 1. E. Gordon Gee, the 11th president of Ohio State, is leaving the University of Colorado with a legacy of success and a reputation as one of the more colorful presidents in the school's history. Gee was chosen by the OSU Board of Trustrees Tuesday to replace Edward H. Jennings as the president of Ohio State effective Sept. 1. Gee's tenure at Colorado was marked by tremendous growth and achievement, particularly in science and athletics. Gee had served as Colorado University's 15th president since July 1, 1985.
  16. ↑ Abdur-Rashid, Muntaqima (June 30, 1997). "Gee leaves OSU for Ivy League". The Lantern. Vol. 116, no. 275. p. 1. In a announcement delivered on Friday, Ohioans learned that E. Gordon Gee will resign as president of Ohio State to become president of Brown University in Providence, R.I. He will begin his official duties at Brown on Jan. 1, 1998.
  17. ↑ "Provost interim leader at OSU". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 6, 1997. p. 14. An Ohio native will serve as Ohio State's interim president, the university announced Friday. Richard Sisson, the university's senior vice president and provost, will take over for outgoing president E. Gordon Gee, who become president of Brown University, in Providence, R.I., on Jan. 1.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Jeremy (January 6, 1998). "Maryland's president to succeed Gee as Ohio State's 12th leader". The Lantern. Vol. 116, no. 338. pp. 1, 2. William English Kirwan officially accepted Ohio State's proposal to become the 12th president of the university at a press conference Monday... Kirwan will remain at Maryland through the end of the academic year and will begin his presidency no later than July 1, 1998.
  19. ↑ Lieberman, Dave (April 1, 2002). "Kirwan to leave for Marylandr". The Lantern. Vol. 119, no. 123. p. 1. Now Kirwan, who turns 64 in a few weeks, is planning his departure from OSU. Despite pleas for him to stay from students, faculty, staff, trustees and state leaders, Kirwan announced on March 25 that he would accept the offer to become the next chancellor of the University of Maryland school system. He will leave OSU on June 30.
  20. ↑ "OSU Board agrees to Jennings' return". Dayton Daily News. June 8, 2002. p. 15. A former Ohio State University president was appointed Friday to Return to the post on an interim basis. The university's board of trustees unanimously agreed to have former OSU President Edward Jennings fill the job until a permanent replacement for William Kirwan can be found. Kirwan plans to leave at the end of the year to become chancellor of the University System of Maryland.
  21. ↑ Hall, Kelsey (June 10, 2002). "Jennings named interim president". The Lantern. Vol. 119, no. 171. p. 1. Edward Jennings was appointed Ohio State interim president by the Board of Trustees Friday during its monthly meeting. Jennings will take over July 1 after William "Brit" Kirwan steps down as president June 30 to assume the chancellorship of the University of Maryland School System.
  22. ↑ Hershey, William; Eckert, Kristy (July 26, 2002). "Holbrook eager for OSU post". Dayton Daily News. p. 17. OSU trustees voted unanimously Thursday to make Holbrook, 59, the university's 13th president and the first woman to hold the job. She has been senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia since 1998 and was an administrator at the University of Florida from 1993–98... Holbrook, who will take over Oct. 1, said she expects the OSU presidency to be her last career move.
  23. ↑ "OSU president Holbrook to retire in 2007". Dayton Daily News. June 8, 2006. p. 7. Ohio State University President Karen Holbrook announced Wednesday she will retire at the end of the 2006–2007 school year when her contract expires.
  24. ↑ Harte, Trey-Tyler (June 20, 2006). "Holbrook to end tenure at OSU in 2007". The Lantern. Vol. 125, no. 154. p. 1. Karen A. Holbrook, Ohio State's first woman president, announced that she will retire when her contract ends in June 2007.
  25. ↑ "Ohio State names interim president". WOSU-FM. June 22, 2007. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees named Joseph Alutto to serve as interim president. Karen Holbrook's term will end next Saturday. Alutto will assume responsibilities as university officials continue their search for a new president.
  26. ↑ Busch, Alaina (July 12, 2007). "Gordon Gee comes home to OSU". The Lantern. Vol. 126, no. 129. p. 1. Gordon Gee announced he will be returning as president of Ohio State. Gee served as OSU president from 1990 until early 1998 when he left for Brown University... Gee, who has served as chancellor at Vanderbilt since 2000, will effectively resign Aug. 1.
  27. ↑ Hoffine, Tim (October 1, 2007). "Return of the Bow Tie". The Lantern. Vol. 127, no. 11. p. 1. Oct. 1 marks the first day since 1997 that Gee could officially call himself OSU's president — a title that will earn him a base salary of $775,000 per year.
  28. ↑ "Ohio State President Gordon Gee retires amid Notre Dame controversy". CBS News. June 4, 2013. Ohio State University President Gordon Gee announced his retirement Tuesday after he came under fire for jokingly referring to "those damn Catholics" at Notre Dame and poking fun at the academic quality of other schools... Gee, 69, decided while on vacation that he would step down on July 1.
  29. ↑ "Alutto fills role as interim president, for second time". OSU. July 5, 2013.
  30. ↑ Young, Liz (June 30, 2013). "Joseph Alutto assumes role as Ohio State interim president, despite unanswered questions". The Lantern. Ohio State interim President Joseph Alutto takes office Monday as the former president of OSU moves out of Bricker Hall and into a different role at the university, though many questions remain regarding specifics of the new arrangement. E. Gordon Gee, who announced his retirement June 4, effective July 1, plans to take an approximately year-long sabbatical and then assume a teaching position at OSU's Moritz College of Law while writing books, according to the Akron Beacon Journal
  31. ↑ "History of Drake Performance Center". Ohio State University. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Michael Drake Appointed The Ohio State University's 15th President". OSU. January 29, 2014. He will begin work as president on June 30.
  33. ↑ Smola, Jennifer (June 30, 2020). "Ohio State's Drake officially departs presidency". The Columbus Dispatch. Outgoing Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake said farewell to the campus community Tuesday, his last official day in the leadership role.
  34. ↑ "Michael Drake to become 21st president of the University of California". UCLA. July 7, 2020. The University of California Board of Regents announced today the appointment of Dr. Michael Drake as the 21st president of UC's world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.
  35. ↑ "Kristina M. Johnson appointed 16th president of The Ohio State University". OSU. June 3, 2020. Highly accomplished academic, entrepreneur to begin tenure August 24
  36. ↑ Kinner, Madison; Law, Gaurav (November 29, 2022). "Confirmed: President Kristina M. Johnson to resign". The Lantern. University President Kristina M. Johnson announced her resignation in a university-wide email Monday... Johnson's tenure as president will end after commencement in spring 2023, she said.
  37. ↑ "Former Ohio State president, university agree to mutual non-disparagement in newly released document". WBNS-TV. July 8, 2023. Her last day was May 7, 2023...
  38. ↑ "Dr. Peter J. Mohler". OSU.
  39. ↑ Stewart, Josie (August 22, 2023). "Peter Mohler approved as new acting president of Ohio State". The Lantern. Ohio State named Peter Mohler, the current executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge and member of the president's cabinet, the acting president at a board of trustees meeting Tuesday. Mohler will take on the role until Walter Carter, current president of the University of Nebraska system, takes over Jan. 1, 2024. According to a university release, Mohler will work closely with Carter until the transition at the end of the calendar year.
  40. ↑ "Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. appointed by Board of Trustees as 17th president of The Ohio State University". OSU. August 22, 2023. He will begin his tenure as Ohio State's 17th president on January 1, 2024... The Board of Trustees also announced today that Peter Mohler will serve as acting president, coordinating closely with Carter, through the end of the calendar year.
  41. ↑ Hendrix, Sheridan (March 9, 2026). "Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship". The Columbus Dispatch.
  42. ↑ Cohen, Rebecca (March 9, 2026). "Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over 'inappropriate relationship'". NBC News. Carter submitted his resignation on Saturday, and the university accepted on Sunday. It was announced on Monday morning.
  43. ↑ Weber, Lindsay (March 11, 2026). "Ravi Bellamkonda selected to become Ohio State's 18th university president". WBNS-TV. Retrieved March 12, 2026. The Ohio State University on Thursday selected an internal candidate to replace Ted Carter Jr. as the institution's 18th president. The Ohio State Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Executive Vice President and President Ravi V. Bellamkonda to become the university's next leader, bypassing the traditional nationwide search to name its fourth president since 2020... Bellamkonda's appointment follows Carter's abrupt resignation earlier this week. Carter stepped down on Monday after disclosing an "inappropriate relationship" with someone seeking public resources for their private business... Carter was selected as Ohio State's 17th president in 2023, succeeding Kristina Johnson, who resigned in November 2022. He started his position on Jan. 1, 2024.
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