Ohio University gears up for the historic Investiture of President Lori Stewart Gonzalez

Next week, Ohio University will officially begin a new chapter in its storied history with the investiture of its 23rd President, Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez.

OHIO’s Investiture Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, serving as the keynote event alongside a series of special events that will be hosted across campus between Oct. 16-20.

All OHIO students, faculty, staff alumni and friends are invited to join the University at any and all events as it recognizes its historic past, embraces its present and looks forward to a bright future under the leadership of President Gonzalez. University alumni and partners around the globe are encouraged to view the Investiture ceremony virtually; it will be streamed live on the Investiture website.

“It’s never been a better time to be a Bobcat – Our University is growing and thriving, and we have an enormous opportunity in front of us with President Gonzalez at the helm,” said Board of Trustees Chair Peggy Viehweger in an Oct. 9 message to the campus community. “Seizing that opportunity will take all of us, working together, supporting one another, and pouring our energy into this special place that is Ohio University. Please join us to celebrate our University and our new President next week.”

Watch OHIO history in the making on October 18

The Investiture of Ohio University’s 23rd President, Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez
2:30 p.m. | Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium

Join the Ohio University Board of Trustees, special guests and Ohio University faculty, staff and students in celebrating the Investiture of OHIO’s 23rd President – a historic occasion that will welcome a new chapter in OHIO’s history and help set the stage for President Gonzalez’s visionary leadership.

The ceremony will include the official Rites of Investiture and presentation of the Presidential Seal and University Charter, and President Gonzalez will offer her first official address to the University community. A reception will take place immediately following the investiture event on West Portico Lawn adjacent to College Green.

Join us for a “Celebration of Place” throughout Investiture Week

From Oct. 16 – Oct. 20, OHIO will also host a series of special Investiture Week events, themed a “Celebration of Place,” that will explore OHIO’s past, present and future – and focus on how education has served as the great historical connector across the state’s oldest public university.  

A complete list of the week’s events is available online.

Learn more about OHIO’s 23rd President

Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez, a seasoned academic leader who has committed her career to public higher education, became Ohio University’s 23rd President on July 1, 2023, succeeding President Hugh Sherman. 

Since her early days in office, President Gonzalez has focused on immersing herself in all things OHIO and celebrating what makes this University truly unique. From making her way across campus to meet with researchers and students in their labs to attending an experiential learning event and visiting places across the University community and the region, she has made it a priority to gain a first-hand experience of OHIO’s work and impact.

“I want to make sure we continue investing in our distinctive research and programs,” President Gonzalez said. “OHIO has tremendous momentum, and it’s important to me that we don’t see this presidential transition as a time to take a pause. We need to keep moving forward and build on this moment.”

President Gonzalez joined Ohio University from the University of Louisville where she served as its Executive Vice President and Provost. She has served as an academic leader in both urban and rural environments – always in public higher education.

A native of the Appalachian region, Gonzalez was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. Her father was the first in his family to earn a degree and was a small business owner. Her parents impressed upon her the importance of education and a sense of responsibility to give back to her community, leading to her career in public higher education.

A complete overview of President Gonzalez’s professional background, and her lifelong commitment to higher education, is available online.