Ohio State University selects interim president
6/22/2007COLUMBUS The dean of Ohio State University's business college will serve as the university's interim president beginning July 1 while its board of trustees continues its search to replace Karen Holbrook.
Holbrook retires on June 30 after five years as president. She is Ohio State's 13th president.
University trustees on Friday appointed Joseph A. Alutto, dean of the university's Fisher College of Business since 1991, to serve during the search, the university said.
"As we continue our presidential search, we are fortunate to have someone of Joe's caliber and experience at the helm of the university," trustees' Chairman Gil Cloyd said. "He is the ideal person to serve as the university's chief executive officer on an interim basis."
Alex Shumate, chairman of the presidential search committee, said the search remains on schedule. The university continues to refuse to release the names of candidates.
"We will continue to run a dignified process that respects the confidentiality of prospective candidates for the position," Shumate said in a news release.
Ohio State is paying a Chicago-based company $175,000 to help Shumate's 24-member search committee identify candidates. Holbrook gave one year's notice.
Alutto, 65, also holds the John W. Berry Sr. Chair in Business and is a professor of management and human resources. He is the executive dean for the professional colleges, coordinating the activities of the Colleges of Education, Human Ecology, Engineering, Law, Social Work, and Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and represents them in university-wide decision-making bodies.
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