6-19-98 
 
ED RAY TO SERVE AS INTERIM PROVOST, BEGINNING SEPT. 1 
 
	COLUMBUS -- President-designate William E. Kirwan announced 
Thursday (6/18) that he will recommend to The Ohio State 
University Board of Trustees at its July 10 meeting the 
appointment of Edward J. Ray as interim senior vice president and 
provost.  A search will commence in the fall for a permanent 
replacement for Richard Sisson, senior vice president and 
provost. 
 
	"Ed Ray has done a superb job as acting provost in the past 
months," Kirwan said.  "I am very pleased that he has agreed to 
continue in this pivotal role.  I have consulted widely among the 
academic leadership of the university about this decision, and 
there is great agreement that Ed is the right person to carry 
forward the academic initiatives now under way.  With Ed as 
interim provost, I am confident Ohio State will not lose any 
momentum." 
 
	Kirwan reiterated his regret that Sisson has chosen to  
conclude his tenure as provost.  "Dick has been the creator and  
catalyst behind many of Ohio State's most important recent  
initiatives.  Throughout this transition time, he has put the  
best interests of the university above all else, including his  
own wishes to return to active scholarship and teaching.  I thank  
him for his many contributions and kindnesses and look forward to  
having the benefit of his advice in the future." 
 
	Ray, 53, has been a faculty member at Ohio State since 1970,  
when he joined the Department of Economics as an assistant  
professor.  He was promoted to associate professor in 1974 and  
professor in 1977.  Ray chaired the department from 1976 to 1992,  
when he joined the Office of Academic Affairs as an associate  
provost.  He has been senior vice provost since 1993.  His  
research interests have included U.S. foreign investment and  
foreign investment in the U.S., trade barriers, and the history  
of protectionism, income tax and social security as they relate  
to the American economy.  As part of the State of Ohio's trade  
delegations, Ray has served as counselor to Gov. George Voinovich  
on trade missions to China and the Pacific Rim. 
 
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Contact: Ed Ray, (614) 292-5881.