96-12-03 John Ong is Commencement Speaker

JOHN ONG TO ADDRESS AUTUMN QUARTER GRADUATES AT OHIO STATE

     COLUMBUS -- Commencement exercises for autumn quarter 
graduates of The Ohio State University will be held Dec. 13 in 
St. John Arena.  Some 1,700 degrees will be awarded in the 
ceremonies, which begin at 9:30 a.m.

     The commencement speaker will be John Ong, chair and chief 
executive officer of the BFGoodrich Co.  A 1954 Master of Arts 
graduate of Ohio State in history, Ong is credited with 
transforming BFGoodrich -- a manufacturer of tires, rubber 
products and plastics -- into a profitable provider of aircraft 
systems and services, and a producer of specialty chemicals.

     After earning a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1957, 
Ong began his career with BFGoodrich in 1961 as assistant counsel 
for the corporation.  In 1966, he became administrative assistant 
to the president of International BFGoodrich, vice president of 
that division in 1969 and president in 1970.  He was named group 
vice president in 1972, and executive vice president and a member 
of the board of directors the following year.  He served as vice 
chair from 1974-75 before being elected president in 1975.  Ong 
has been chair and CEO since 1979.

     Ong is the director of several other major corporations, 
including Ameritech, ASARCO, Cooper Industries, the Geon Co., The 
Kroger Co., and TRW.  An advocate for business involvement in 
civic and cultural activities, Ong is a director of the Chemical 
Manufacturers Association and serves as trustee of the University 
of Chicago, the Musical Arts Association, and the John S. and 
James L. Knight Foundation.

     In addition, Ong plays a leadership role in a number of 
organizations involved with education and the competitiveness of  
American business.  He serves as an honorary member of Ohio 
State's Humanities Development Council and received the college's 
first Humanities Alumni Award of Distinction in 1994.  Ong is a 
member of the Business Roundtable, chair of the Ohio Business 
Roundtable, a senior member of the Conference Board, and a member 
of the Business Council.	

     Ong resides in Hudson, Ohio.

                            #

Contact: Tracy Turner, University Communications, (614) 688-3682.


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Tue, 3 Dec 1996 09:45:37 -0500 (EST)]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.