Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
November 17, 2021 | Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) delivered remarks on the Senate floor honoring Dr. Kristina Johnson, the 16th president of The Ohio State University.
Dr. Johnson assumed the presidency of the University in August of 2020. Her formal investiture – which will occur this Friday, November 19 – was originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A transcript of his remarks can be found below and a video can be found here.
“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Kristina M. Johnson and celebrate her investiture as the 16th President of The Ohio State University. Dr. Johnson brings more than 30 years of experience and leadership in the academic, business, and public policy sector to Ohio State, along with some very ambitious goals she’s got for the university.
“Although the formal investiture was postponed until this Friday, November 19th due to COVID, Dr. Johnson actually assumed the presidency in August of last year and her leadership has already helped the university community to come together during the past year of the pandemic. Ohio State is in full swing – with classes, research, and other activities. And they’ve got a darn good football team, under her leadership as well. Currently number four in the country and on its way up. Go Bucks.
“The Ohio State University was founded in 1870 as a land grant University, the first of its kind in Ohio. Over the years, the university has grown into one of the largest and best respected institutions in the country. Dr. Johnson actually has close family ties to Ohio State. Family lore has it that Dr. Johnson’s grandfather, who graduated from Ohio State in 1896, met Dr. Johnson’s grandmother on the Columbus campus. We’d like to think those close ties to OSU and deep family roots in Ohio have made her a Buckeye in spirit all along.
“Dr. Johnson comes to The Ohio State University after a long career in academic and business leadership. She previously served as the Chancellor of the State University of New York system and has founded and served as CEO of several successful science and technology companies, served as the Undersecretary of Energy at the Department of Energy, and held academic leadership positions at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her breadth of experience from academic leadership, business and public policy gives her the important tools to successfully lead The Ohio State University.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know Dr. Johnson over the past year and a half, and I’ve been impressed with how the students have embraced her. It’s a great student body. I’ve seen that firsthand at Ohio State, having taught four courses at the Glenn School of Public Affairs – now the Glenn College of Public Affairs – before being elected to the United States Senate. And I’m proud to have been a member of the advisory board of the exciting Glenn College for the past 12 years.
“I believe the students, the faculty, the alumni and the friends that make up The Ohio State University community are very fortunate to have Dr. Johnson at the helm during this time. I wish her the very best as she continues to guide Ohio State into the future while focusing on academic excellence and building a strong and passionate community of Buckeyes. And I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Johnson to ensure her success and the success of the great institution, The Ohio State University.”
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