Ray heads to Oregon State

'I love what I do and enjoy the people I work with. I feel that together we actually are making progress and some things are getting accomplished, and that's what stays with you.' -- Provost Ed Ray

Provost reflects on 33-year career at Ohio State

By JONI BENTZ SEAL, onCAMPUS staff

Upon learning that he had been named president of Oregon State University, five of Ed Ray's colleagues surprised him as he arrived at Port Columbus June 6. For a group to assemble at midnight on a Friday, with champagne in tow, speaks volumes of the high regard many have of Ohio State's outgoing executive vice president and provost.

"We wanted to welcome home 'President Ray,'" said Martha Garland, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies. "He had been in pursuit of the top position at a university, and we were so excited that our congratulations just couldn't wait. Many of us have such a close, personal relationship with Ed, and while we're ecstatic for him, we're sorry to see him go."

It is these relationships that Ray credits with his longevity and success at Ohio State, and indeed, with the advancement of the university toward the goals of the Academic Plan. "The students who come through here years from now will get a better education, be better citizens and contributors, and be more accomplished in their own lives because of things we've done and are doing now together," he said. "I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the process that is making the university a much more valuable asset to the people of Ohio."

Ray's Ohio State career began in 1970, when he joined the Department of Economics as an assistant professor. In 1976 -- at the age of 31 -- he became chair of the economics department, a position he held for 16 years until joining central administration. There, he served in a variety of positions including associate provost, senior vice provost, interim senior vice president and provost, and chief information officer. In December 1998, Ray was appointed executive vice president and provost by the Board of Trustees, embarking on the final leg of his 33-year career at Ohio State. He leaves the university July 25 and begins his new post at Oregon State July 28.

Leading through relationships

Ray said he learned early on that leading by example and fostering open lines of communication created an environment of knowledgeable and secure faculty, who could then concentrate on their teaching and research, freeing Ray to focus on his own.

The move to central administration required Ray to take his local leadership style and scale it to a much bigger and more complex environment. "I think the key is to deal with people on an individual level, whether they are faculty colleagues, deans, leaders of the senate, or presidents and provosts," he said. "When you deal with people directly, and as transparently as possible -- consulting with them and assuring them that there will be no surprises -- there tends to be greater confidence and support."

Transparent is a term Ray and many of his colleagues use to describe his leadership style -- a style where all issues and considerations are in the open, making people feel knowledgeable and involved in decisions.

Ray had been chair of economics and had a long history with the college of business when he met Joe Alutto, dean of the Fisher College of Business. "Ed was helpful in my developing an understanding of both the college and university," Alutto said. "It was apparent from the start that he was committed to this university and very interested in improving all aspects of university life. Ed made you feel good about being at Ohio State both for what it was and what it could become."

University advancement

In contrast to the Ohio State of the 1970s, Ray said the university today is an institution of choice, and for many -- including him, has become a career destination for faculty and students alike.

The growth and renewal occurring on the physical campuses substantiates progress made internally in the university's administrative practices -- many of which came to fruition during Ray's tenure in central administration.

Vice Provost Carole Anderson, who has worked with Ray in various roles since 1986, notes Ray's contribution to many of those major initiatives, among them the new budgeting system, the development of the Diversity Action Plan, the construction of the Academic Plan, and most recently, the establishment of the federation of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences.

"Ed's ability to understand the nature of the various colleges has enabled him to approve policies and practices that allow each to more fully meet its goals and to contribute to the university's goals," Anderson said. "In other words, he doesn't impose one paradigm on all."

Personal accomplishment

Ray refuses to take sole credit for any of the university's recent strides. He attributes the institution's success to the teamwork of the staff and faculty.

"I honestly can't think of a single thing where I can say 'I did that,'" he said. "There are many things I've been a part of, or given credit for instigating, perhaps. But the university's success isn't the result of one person's ideas or accomplishments. It's about exchanging information and taking advantage of the talent and energy available from others that helps move projects forward," Ray said.

Moving forward has been the result of the university's flexibility in the past few years to shift direction when necessary in seeking the goals of the Academic Plan, Ray said. He referenced the recent university actions to extend the probationary period for regular tenure track faculty in the College of Medicine and to remove the caps for clinical faculty.

"I took a lot of flack for extending the probationary period for clinical, tenure-track faculty, but I think it was the right thing to do and an important thing to do," Ray said. "I feel the same about my support for the arts and sciences federation at Ohio State."

Alutto found Ray's aptitude to weather many a storm yet continue to make progress even when unexpected barriers and disappointments occur remarkable: "He has an unusual sense of optimism that tends to carry others through difficult times," Alutto said. "Ed is a problem solver, and that is essential in university administration."

President Karen Holbrook concurred with Alutto's assessment: "I have greatly enjoyed working with Ed," Holbrook said. "He has demonstrated exceptional leadership. He's not afraid to make those tough and sometimes unpopular decisions to implement changes that are necessary for the good of the university. I, and many others who've counted on his wisdom, will miss him."

But it all boils down to the people who make it happen, Ray reiterates. "I love what I do and enjoy the people I work with," he said. "I feel that together we actually are making progress and some things are getting accomplished, and that's what stays with you."

After the announcement from Oregon State, Ray returned to about 250 messages -- good wishes not only from current colleagues, but from people he worked with throughout his career, some of whom are retired. "I was overwhelmed with powerful, positive emotions reminiscing about all those people with whom I've worked -- all those relationships."

Onward to Oregon

Ray hopes to find the same magic at Oregon State that proved successful during his career at Ohio State. The northwestern OSU currently is creating a new budget model, articulating its vision for the future and developing its strategic plan -- three initiatives Ray has successfully guided at Ohio State. Although the vision and the process for getting there will be different, Ray said he sees the same level of commitment and the same kind of talent at Oregon State -- both in the administration and the student leadership -- that he's come to appreciate at Ohio State.

"This has been a wonderful experience for me and my family, and it's hard to imagine being somewhere else," he said. "But I've learned many things here that I think will contribute positively in my new post, and I hope the people here at Ohio State will see the connection and feel proud. I think that will reflect on how well-prepared, how 'educated' I've become while at Ohio State."

Griffin to lead Alumni Association

Football star, administrator replaces retiring Heinlen

By LINDA CROSSLEY, Alumni Communications

Archie Griffin, one of Ohio State's most recognizable and respected graduates, has been named the next leader of the Ohio State Alumni Association, an organized body of alumni dedicated to making Ohio State stronger.

Griffin will take office as president/CEO on Jan. 1, 2004. He will replace Dan Heinlen, who will retire on Dec. 31 after 38 years with the Alumni Association, the last 30 at its helm.

"What attracted me to this position was my passion for Ohio State." -- Archie Griffin

"What attracted me to this position was my passion for Ohio State," Griffin said. "I've had the opportunity to travel coast to coast and visit with a lot of alumni clubs and thousands of alumni and see their passion for Ohio State. I look forward to continuing the work that Dan has started. This is a great opportunity for me."

Griffin said he is excited about working closely with alumni. "People make the difference," he said. "Their love of the university is very visual on football Saturdays and at basketball games. But as I have traveled around, I can see their passion not only for sports but for the university as a whole."

The Alumni Association, housed in Longaberger Alumni House, is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students and friends of Ohio State with 123,195 members.

"We are thrilled to have Archie Griffin heading our Alumni Association," said President Karen Holbrook. "He is a beloved and admired Ohio State legend, and his involvement in community initiatives across the state represents the finest characteristics of the Buckeye spirit. Furthermore, through his work as associate director of athletics, he has demonstrated the skills to manage and lead a large organization. This outstanding appointment will ensure that Archie will stay connected to Ohio State."

One of the greatest running backs ever to play college football, Griffin was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1974 and 1975 -- the only player to claim the award twice.

Currently the associate director of athletics, Griffin has long been an ambassador of goodwill for the university and for the community as a whole.

Griffin brings to the Alumni Association a broad range of experience, service and contacts.

He created the Archie and Bonita Griffin Foundation Fund, a charitable fund used to develop children's programs in central Ohio in the areas of sports, education and travel. He also created the Archie Griffin Scholarship Fund, which raises funds for Ohio State's Olympic sports programs.

Griffin also serves on the boards of many not-for-profit firms, including the Central Ohio Breathing Association, the Columbus Youth Foundation, and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Honors Court. In 1998, he chaired the YMCA of Central Ohio's annual giving campaign.

Griffin graduated from Ohio State in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in industrial relations. He played eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. After seven years with the Shoe Corporation of America, Griffin returned to his alma mater in 1984 as an assistant director of staff employment. The following year, then-athletics director Rick Bay recruited Griffin to the athletics department. Griffin served as the special assistant to the athletic director and as an assistant director of athletics before moving to his current position.

Jackie Royster

Royster named interim dean of humanities

Jackie Royster has been named interim dean of the College of Humanities, an appointment effective July 1 and approved by the Board of Trustees at its July 11 meeting. Royster replaces Michael Hogan, who has been named executive dean of the newly combined Colleges of the Arts and Sciences. Royster is a professor of English and serves as senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs in the College of Humanities. Among her many honors, Royster is this year's University Distinguished Lecturer. The search process for a permanent dean will get under way this summer.