Ohio State appoints a new president, ignores Ohio Republicans’ suggestion to hire Lt. Gov. Trestle

The Ohio State University appointed its 18th president on Thursday, while ignoring Republican lawmakers’ suggestion to hire Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.

Ravi V. Bellamkonda, who served as the university’s executive vice president and provost since Jan. 14, 2025, will succeed Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., who unexpectedly resigned, telling the Board of Trustees that he had an inappropriate relationship.

The appointment effective immediately, the university said in a release.

“Dr. Bellamkonda is well-positioned to lead this institution at a time when Ohio State continues to see record achievements both in terms of student success and impact in the many communities we serve,” John W. Zeiger, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, said in the release.

Zeiger added that Bellamkonda proved himself as an “innovator” and a team player “throughout his career in higher education, including his time at Ohio State.”

“We are pleased to welcome him to his new role as Ohio State’s 18th president,” Zeiger said in the release.

Bellamkonda indirectly thanked the board for his appointment by praising Ohio State as a “nation-leading academic powerhouse.”

“When we have excellence at scale, we create impact that is transformative. This is why what we do at Ohio State matters,” he said in the press release.

In their joint statement, Ohio State University Senate Secretary Jared Gardner and Faculty Council Chair Valarie Williams also “warmly” welcomed the appointment of Bellamkonda.

“Working closely with him in his role as executive vice president and provost, we have seen firsthand his deep commitment to the academic mission of this university and to engaging with our shared governance structures and with our faculty, staff, and student leaders,” they wrote.

Faculty representatives to the Board of Trustees, Phillip Popovich and Eric Bielefeld, also said that Bellamkonda’s vision and energy “inspired” them, adding that they are “confident that he will bring those same qualities to the presidency.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of the university and the state of Ohio,” they said in the press release.

The announcement came after several Ohio Republican lawmakers urged university officials on Monday, in a letter shared by NBC 4, to choose Tressel as the new university president, asking the board for their “full and fair consideration.” Tressel was president of Youngstown State University from 2014 to 2023 and coached Ohio State from 2001 to 2010.

Among the lawmakers who signed the letter were state Reps. Tim Barhost, R-Ft. Laramie, Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, Thomas Hall, R-Madison Twp., Bernard Willis, R-Springfield, Jonathan Newman, R-Troy, and Angela King, R-Celina.

“Throughout his distinguished career in higher education and public service, Lt. Governor Tressel has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to the success of Ohio’s students and communities,” they wrote.

In addition to “leading major institutions, working collaboratively with stakeholders across the state, and representing Ohio with professionals,” the lawmakers also highlighted his experience as the president of Youngstown State University to prove to the board that he is the right fit for the job.

“As former president of Youngstown State University and head football coach at The Ohio State University, he has already shown a deep understanding of the university’s culture and mission,” they wrote. “In his current role as Lieutenant Governor, he continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to education, workforce development, and the future of our state.”