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Ohio University mourns the death of President Emeritus Robert Glidden
By: Ohio University News Release
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ATHENS, Ohio (Ohio University) — Ohio University President Emeritus Dr. Robert Glidden, whose lifelong commitment to academic discovery and research and the advocacy of institutional accreditation forever impacted higher education, passed away on December 5, 2023.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of President Emeritus Glidden, and I am proud to further the accomplishments he made as our 19th President,” said Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “My thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
An enduring legacy as Ohio University’s 19th President, 1994-2004
Capital improvements under President Glidden included the construction of the Life Sciences Research Facility, Emeriti Park and Walter Hall, a modern classroom lecture center; major renovations to Gordy Hall, Grover Center and Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium; the expansion of Bentley Hall and Copeland Hall; and the groundbreaking for the new Baker University Center that opened in 2007.
Alan Geiger, President Glidden’s former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Ohio University Board of Trustees, noted that Glidden’s unique blend of leadership, experience and personality helped him succeed on numerous levels.
“President Glidden came to Ohio University with a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education,” Geiger said. “His leadership skills and outstanding personality gave him a place in the university’s history. Many good things happened during his 10-year tenure.”
President Glidden was not only a strong champion of the university – he staunchly advocated for increased service and support efforts across the Appalachian region and beyond, too. Glidden worked with local governments and agencies to undertake technology projects and environmental action. Beyond the region, he served on the Governor’s Science and Technology Council in Ohio and served as the presidential chair of the Ohio Aerospace Institute, the Inter-University Council and the Mid-American Conference.
Director Emeritus of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and WOUB Public Media Thomas Hodson served on the presidential search committee that helped bring Glidden to the university. He also served as Chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees during Glidden’s first year as President.
Hodson recalled how Glidden made the university a better place during his 10 years as the university’s President by helping to usher the University into the age of modern technology. He also leveraged the new technologies of the time, including computers, email and the internet, to make himself more accessible to students, faculty, staff and other constituents.
“Dr. Glidden was a President with extreme intellect, personality and a commitment to excellence; he knew that higher education would be transformed by technology, and he embraced that opportunity,” Hodson said. “He came to the job with boundless energy, vision, a sense of humor and a true commitment to faculty and students. He put his own stamp on the University, and he will be missed by those who had the privilege to work with him and the Bobcat alumni who knew him.”
Beyond the university, President Glidden also chaired the Commission on Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness for the American Council on Education in Washington. Perhaps Glidden’s most enduring contribution to the future of higher education in the United States is his seminal work as the founding chair of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
A lifelong commitment to academic excellence
Born in Grand Junction, Iowa, Robert Glidden earned his bachelor’s degree with distinction in music, his M.A. in music performance, and his Ph.D. in music – all at the University of Iowa.
In his retirement, President Emeritus Glidden remained active in his leadership in the field of university accreditation and the business of higher education by sharing his knowledge and expertise with universities at home and abroad, including a seven-month stint as interim president at Cal Poly between 2010-2011.
He also remained involved with Ohio University, having committed three years of part-time work toward raising funds for a new alumni center. The University renamed its “Music Building” to “Robert Glidden Hall” in June 2004 to honor President Emeritus Glidden – forever cementing a Bobcat legacy and ensuring his contributions across the university, and higher education, will be remembered for generations to come.
President Emeritus Roderick J. McDavis lauded Dr. Glidden’s collaborative spirit and commended him for further elevating both academic and research excellence across the university.
“Bob Glidden was a good person with a big heart who loved Ohio University, and he worked hard to lift the University to a higher level of excellence; he was a people person who thoroughly enjoyed engaging with Bobcats in a wide variety of venues,” President Emeritus McDavis said. “Deborah (McDavis) and I have many fond memories of the great conversations we had with Bob and Rene. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and Bobcats around the world.”
A Celebration of Life concert will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial tributes be given to the Grace Episcopal Church Music Fund or to the Rockbridge Area Relief Association.