Ohio University to honor life of President Emeritus Charles J. Ping with memorial program

The Ohio University community will celebrate the life and legacy of President Emeritus Charles J. Ping, who passed away in July 2021, at a memorial program on Friday, April 1, at 3 p.m. EDT.

A program in Walter Hall Rotunda on the University’s Athens Campus will be streamed live so that all members of the Ohio University family can take part in honoring Dr. Ping’s life of scholarship, vision, and stewardship. 

Joining members of the Ping family are Dr. Hugh Sherman, 22nd President of Ohio University and Dean Emeritus, College of Business; Mr. Jack Ellis, BBA ’57 and ME ’97 (Hon.), Vice President for Development, Emeritus; and Dr. Samuel R. Crowl, Trustee Professor of English, Emeritus and Former Dean, University College, who will offer touching reflections on President Ping's life and legacy.

“In addition to his vision of what Ohio University could become, and his dedication to the humanities, he will be remembered most for who he was—compassionate, loving and respectful of all. He deeply loved our students, his colleagues, and our community,” President Sherman said.

Dr. Ping served as the 18th president of Ohio University from 1975 to 1994. In 19 years, he led Ohio University to its then-highest enrollment of 25,000 and oversaw two separate fundraising campaigns that raised $22.6 million and over $132 million, respectively. Dr. Ping's work in establishing a general education curriculum and increasing the University's prominence as an international student destination were among his notable accomplishments. Following his retirement as president, Dr. Ping took a year's sabbatical before returning to teach and direct the Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities.

Visit https://www.ohio.edu/ping-memorial/ to learn more about Dr. Ping’s legacy and to view the memorial program Friday, April 1, at 3 p.m. EDT.