Oregon State University Announces New President Pick

It's time for a change at Oregon State! After 17 years of service, President Ed Ray will say farewell to the role on July 1, 2020, making way for incoming Dr. F. King Alexander to assume the position as OSU's new president.

No stranger to leading universities, Dr. Alexander will be coming in from Louisiana, where's he's been the president and chancellor of Louisiana State University since his contentious start at that university in 2013 (LSU's Board of Supervisors met resistance from the faculty senate, which passed a vote of no confidence immediately following the announcement of Alexander's selection). He's also served as president of both California State University Long Beach and Kentucky's Murray State University.

Alexander's educational background includes a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master of Science in Educational Studies/Comparative Education Policy from the University of Oxford, where he was a Foundation Fellow.

OSU's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Alexander following six months of candidate vetting. The Board approved a five-year employment agreement, with Board Chair Rani Borkar noting, “Dr. King Alexander is the right person, educator and higher education leader to carry on the transformative impact that Oregon State University provides throughout our state, nation and world.”

OSU's press release quoted Alexander as saying, “Oregon State University’s mission and destiny as an internationally recognized land, sea, space and sun grant university captured me. OSU is on the cutting edge of the many critical issues that the world is begging to understand.

“I am honored to be selected as the university’s next president and contribute to the remarkable global impact and momentum within the university that has been propelled by President Ed Ray’s impressive leadership.”

Alexander went on to express his enthusiasm for the new position and new life in Oregon with his family as they prepare for their long trip westward.

“We are very excited to become Oregonians and members of Beaver Nation. I look forward to collaborating with OSU students, faculty, staff, donors, stakeholders and community partners to continue to advance this remarkable university.

“I also am committed to work in partnership with Gov. Kate Brown, legislators, Oregon’s federal delegation, business and community leaders, and higher education and K-12 leaders to advance the economy, learning and opportunity for all Oregonians.”

A staunch advocate for public higher ed, Dr. Alexander connected his part work at Louisiana State to his goals for his upcoming presidency at OSU.

“While at LSU, I have been fighting for advancing support for public higher education at all of our nation’s public universities, including Oregon State University,” he said. “When I join OSU, I assure you, I will continue that advocacy for all public universities, including Oregon State and LSU.”

Alexander's comments also addressed his vision of the future of higher ed: “In the 21st century, the best public universities will not necessarily be those with the largest enrollments, but the universities and colleges that provide an excellent, affordable, accessible and compelling education for all learners where and when students want to learn. They will be universities that prioritize and excel at research and outreach. And universities that are invested in by appropriate levels of state, federal, donor and stakeholder support.”

In an effort to facilitate engagement from OSU students, staff, and faculty, the Presidential Transition Committee is preparing opportunities to interact with Dr. Alexander on campus. In the meantime, according to their Presidential Transition Process website, the president-elect may be contacted directly via email at [email protected].

As Corvallis gets ready to embrace OSU's new leader in 2020, Alexander is already bidding farewell to LSU. His last day as president there will be December 31, 2019. Dr. Alexander the 15th president of Oregon State University.