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 our university has become.
Portrait of Kristina M. Johnson
Kristina M. Johnson
16th president September 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)
Acting president July 1, 2013 – June 29, 2014
Photo of former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee
E. Gordon Gee
14th president October 1, 2007 – June 30, 2013
Photo of Dr. Joseph A. Alutto
Joseph A. Alutto (Interim)
Acting president July 1, 2007 – September 30, 2007
Photo of former Ohio State president Karen Ann Holbrook
Karen Ann Holbrook
13th president October 1, 2002 – June 30, 2007
Portrait of Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings
Edward Harrington Jennings (Interim)
Acting president July 1, 2002 – September 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)
Acting president December 15, 1997 – June 30, 1998
Portrait of Ohio State's 11th President, E Gordon Gee
E. Gordon Gee
11th president September 1, 1990 – January 2, 1998
Portrait of Interim Ohio State President, Edward Harrington Jennings
Edward Harrington Jennings
10th president September 1, 1981 – August 31, 1990
Photo of former Ohio State president Harold Leroy Enarson
Harold Leroy Enarson
9th president September 1, 1972 – August 31, 1981
Photo of former Ohio State president Novice Gail Fawcett
Novice Gail Fawcett
8th president August 1, 1956 – August 31, 1972
Photo of former Ohio State president Howard Landis Bevis
Howard Landis Bevis
7th president February 1, 1940 – June 30, 1956
Photo of former Ohio State president William McPherson
William McPherson (Interim)
Acting president July 1, 1938 – January 31, 1940
Photo of former Ohio State president George Washington Rightmire
George Washington Rightmire
6th president March 1926 – July 1, 1938
Photo of former Ohio State president George Washington Rightmire
George Washington Rightmire (Interim)
Acting president November 6, 1925 – March 1926
Photo of former Ohio State president William Oxley Thompson
William Oxley Thompson
5th president July 1, 1899 – November 5, 1925
Photo of former Ohio State president James Hulme Canfield
James Hulme Canfield
4th president July 1, 1895 – June 30, 1899
Photo of former Ohio State president William Henry Scott
William Henry Scott
3rd president June 20, 1883 – June 30, 1895
Photo of former Ohio State president Walter Quincy Scott
Walter Quincy Scott
2nd president June 21, 1881 – June 20, 1883
Photo of former Ohio State president Edward Frances Baxter Orton, Sr
Edward Francis Baxter Orton, Sr.
1st president September 17, 1873 – June 21, 1881