Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee said Tuesday that he’ll retire July 1, after his latest embarrassing remarks that he said were meant as jokes.
“Without question, the university has achieved remarkable success, and it has been my honor and calling to lead it,” Gee wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff. “Ohio State is well-positioned for the future. I love this university, and my relationship with it will continue.”
Gee, 69, has served two terms as the school’s president, from 1990-97 and 2007 to now.
Former Provost Joseph A. Alutto will fill the position until the Ohio State board of trustees hires a suitable replacement. Alutto has also served as interim president in 2007.
Gee spent the past week apologizing to people he offended with comments about Catholics, other schools and the Big Ten athletic conference.
During a December meeting the Ohio State Athletics Council, Gee referred to “those damn Catholics” and joked that Notre Dame priests are holy on Sunday, but “holy hell” on the other six days. He also intimated that Louisville has poor academic integrity and said those in the Southern Conference can’t read or write.
In his apologies, Gee said he hoped the comments would lighten the mood, and were a “poor attempt at humor.”
“I recently returned from a vacation with my family, during which time I had a chance to consider the university’s phenomenal achievements and the road that lies ahead for it,” Gee said in Tuesday’s’ release. “During my days away, I also spent some time in self-reflection. And after much deliberation, I have decided it is now time for me to turn over the reigns of leadership to allow the seeds that we have planted to grow.”