Past Presidents

For more than 150 years, Ohio State’s leaders have remained steadfast in their dedication to the highest standards of excellence in academics, scholarship and service. These individuals laid the groundwork for what the university has become.
Dr. Peter J. Mohler

Peter J. Mohler (Acting)

Acting president
Aug. 22, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023

Portrait of Kristina M. Johnson

Kristina M. Johnson

16th president
Sept. 1, 2020 – May 7, 2023

Portrait of President Michael V. Drake

Michael V. Drake

15th president
June 30, 2014 – June 30, 2020

Photo of Dr. Joseph A. Alutto

Joseph A. Alutto (Interim)

Interim president
July 1, 2013 – June 29, 2014

Photo of former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee

E. Gordon Gee

14th president
Oct. 1, 2007 – June 30, 2013

Photo of Dr. Joseph A. Alutto

Joseph A. Alutto (Interim)

Interim president
July 1, 2007 – Sept. 30, 2007

Photo of former Ohio State president Karen Ann Holbrook

Karen Ann Holbrook

13th president
Oct. 1, 2002 – June 30, 2007

Portrait of Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings

Edward Harrington Jennings (Interim)

Interim president
July 1, 2002 – Sept. 30, 2002

Portrait of Ohio State's 12th President, William English Kirwan

William English Kirwan

12th president
July 1, 1998 – June 30, 2002

Photo of former Ohio State president John Richard Sisson

John Richard Sisson (Interim)

Interim president
Dec. 15, 1997 – June 30, 1998

Portrait of Ohio State's 11th President, E Gordon Gee

E. Gordon Gee

11th president
Sept. 1, 1990 – Jan. 2, 1998

Portrait of Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings

Edward Harrington Jennings

10th president
Sept. 1, 1981 – Aug. 31, 1990

Photo of former Ohio State president Harold Leroy Enarson

Harold Leroy Enarson

Ninth president
Sept. 1, 1972 – Aug. 31, 1981

Photo of former Ohio State president Novice Gail Fawcett

Novice Gail Fawcett

Eighth president
Aug. 1, 1956 – Aug. 31, 1972

Photo of former Ohio State president Howard Landis Bevis

Howard Landis Bevis

Seventh president
Feb. 1, 1940 – June 30, 1956

Photo of former Ohio State president William McPherson

William McPherson (Acting)

Acting president
July 1, 1938 – Jan. 31, 1940

Photo of former Ohio State president George Washington Rightmire

George Washington Rightmire

Sixth president
March 1926 – July 1, 1938

Photo of former Ohio State president George Washington Rightmire

George Washington Rightmire (Acting)

Acting president
Nov. 6, 1925 – March 1926

Photo of former Ohio State president William Oxley Thompson

William Oxley Thompson

Fifth president
July 1, 1899 – Nov. 5, 1925

Photo of former Ohio State president James Hulme Canfield

James Hulme Canfield

Fourth president
July 1, 1895 – June 30, 1899

Photo of former Ohio State president William Henry Scott

William Henry Scott

Third president
June 20, 1883 – June 30, 1895

Photo of former Ohio State president Walter Quincy Scott

Walter Quincy Scott

Second president
June 21, 1881 – June 20, 1883

Photo of former Ohio State president Edward Frances Baxter Orton, Sr

Edward Francis Baxter Orton Sr.

First president
Sept. 17, 1873 – June 21, 1881