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A world-class leader for a university on the rise

July 19, 2013

Ohio State is seeking a world-class leader to be our fifteenth president. Find out about our presidential search and offer your comments and suggestions.


President Search

Ohio State is a university on the rise.

We've grown deep roots, having evolved from a 24-student college in 1873 to a modern land-grant university ranked in the nation's top-20 public universities.

We're a place of big traditions and major national conversations. A community of future-focused researchers and faculty on the cutting edge of education. A home for more than 63,000 students committed to changing the world--through research and service. And the alma mater of more than half a million living alumni who give back in a big way.

We're seeking our fifteenth president: a bold leader ready to guide a university that's changing the world. As we launch our search, we invite candidate recommendations and suggestions.

Read on to see what a few search committee members have to say:

Jeffrey Wadsworth, chairman of the Presidential Search Committee: "The university's exceptional standing and forward progress make the task of hiring our next leader an exciting one. To do so, we have created two strong groups that will work in concert with one another--a selection subcommittee and an advisory subcommittee. The 13-member advisory subcommittee consists of faculty members, elected student leaders, staff, and senior administrators. Its members will represent and seek input from the university community."

Robert H. Schottenstein, chairman of the Board of Trustees: "The academic standing of the university, from programs to faculty to students, is at an all-time high. There are many exciting initiatives occurring across our campuses and, indeed, the world. This is a dynamic, diverse community where opportunity thrives. We undertake this responsibility at a time of both enormous importance and promise. The university has significant momentum and is ideally situated to attract the next great leader."

Prof. Deborah Jones Merritt, Ohio State Moritz College of Law:  "I am grateful to be a part of this selection team and looking forward to helping to shepherd the effort of the advisory committee. I have been at Ohio State for nearly two decades now, and the university's excellence has grown each and every year. I am eager to begin reaching out to faculty, staff, and students to get their ideas on the qualities the university needs for its next leader."