97-06-27 Gee Accepts Presidency of Brown U. BOARD THANKS GEE FOR SERVICE AS HE ACCEPTS BROWN PRESIDENCY COLUMBUS - Alex Shumate, chair of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, today (6/27) expressed deep appreciation for the leadership of E. Gordon Gee as president of the university. Gee today accepted an offer to become president of Brown University in Providence, R.I. He has been president of Ohio State since September 1990. Shumate said, "The Board of Trustees intent is to set in motion immediately a search process that will find us a president whose leadership will continue our momentum. The process will bring to Ohio State an academic leader of national stature, a woman or man who will again be the right person for this great university at the right time." Shumate said that he, and all the members of the Board, regret that Gee has decided to leave Ohio State. "Dr. Gee has made a mark on The Ohio State University, and has earned the respect and love of the students, faculty, staff and alumni. He has helped make Columbus, and Ohio, a better place." "As president, Dr. Gee has led Ohio State on a path toward academic excellence ... poised to reach a new level," the chair said. "In a decade in which many universities have lost ground, he has helped make Ohio State a leader among leaders. He has brought out the best in us all." Initiatives implemented under Gee's leadership include streamlining academic organization, putting stronger emphasis on undergraduate education, implementing an ambitious program to increase Ohio State's national standing among top universities, and emphasizing university outreach and engagement throughout Ohio. Gee's appointment at Brown will be effective later in the year. In the meantime, a transition plan will be implemented at Ohio State. Contact: Malcolm Baroway, executive director, University Communications, (614) 292-4373. [Submitted by: Ruth Gerstner (gerstner.2@osu.edu) Fri, 27 Jun 1997 13:22:16 -0400] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.