Office of the President

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.
President Ted Carter

Walter "Ted" Carter Jr.

17th President Jan. 1, 2024 – March 9, 2026
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Dr. Peter J. Mohler

Peter J. Mohler (Acting)

Acting president Aug. 22, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
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Kristina M. Johnson

Kristina M. Johnson

16th president Sept. 1, 2020 – May 7, 2023
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President Michael V. Drake

Michael V. Drake

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

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Dr. Joseph A. Alutto

Joseph A. Alutto (Interim)

Interim president July 1, 2013 – June 29, 2014
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Former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee

E. Gordon Gee

14th president Oct. 1, 2007 – June 30, 2013
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Dr. Joseph A. Alutto

Joseph A. Alutto (Interim)

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

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Former Ohio State president Karen Ann Holbrook

Karen Ann Holbrook

13th president Oct. 1, 2002 – June 30, 2007
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Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings

Edward Harrington Jennings (Interim)

Interim president July 1, 2002 – Sept. 30, 2002
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Ohio State's 12th President, William English Kirwan

William English Kirwan

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

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Former Ohio State president John Richard Sisson

John Richard Sisson (Interim)

Interim president Dec. 15, 1997 – June 30, 1998
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Former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee

E. Gordon Gee

11th president Sept. 1, 1990 – Jan. 2, 1998
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Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings

Edward Harrington Jennings

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

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Former Ohio State president Harold Leroy Enarson

Harold Leroy Enarson

Ninth president Sept. 1, 1972 – Aug. 31, 1981
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Former Ohio State president Novice Gail Fawcett

Novice Gail Fawcett

Eighth president Aug. 1, 1956 – Aug. 31, 1972
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Former Ohio State president Howard Landis Bevis

Howard Landis Bevis

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

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Former Ohio State president William McPherson

William McPherson (Acting)

Acting president July 1, 1938 – Jan. 31, 1940
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Former Ohio State president George Washington Rightmire

George Washington Rightmire

Sixth president March 1926 – July 1, 1938 (Acting) Nov. 6, 1925 – March 1926
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Former Ohio State president William Oxley Thompson

William Oxley Thompson

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

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Former Ohio State president James Hulme Canfield

James Hulme Canfield

Fourth president
July 1, 1895 – June 30, 1899

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Former Ohio State president William Henry Scott

William Henry Scott

Third president
June 20, 1883 – June 30, 1895

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Former Ohio State president Walter Quincy Scott

Walter Quincy Scott

Second president
June 21, 1881 – June 20, 1883

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Former Ohio State president Edward Frances Baxter Orton, Sr

Edward Francis Baxter Orton Sr.

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

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