Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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m . ' ' y M J V. ' h A «j : 3±2 nx. . . Kill Wade ABOVE: President Ping looks at his speech while representative delegates. University faculty, administrators, and former O.ll. presidents (far left and far right in front row of the platform are John C. Baker and Vernon Alden) listen and look on. RIGHT: Ping looks up to the public in the Convocation Center as he delivers his inaugural address. Splendid, magnificent, stately, and other adjectives came to mind in descriptions by viewers of Charles J. Ping ' s inauguration as Ohio University ' s 18th president. Although there were some audible grumblings over the cost of the ceremony, the expense was felt by many to be justifiable. One student said, Ping will have to prove himself, and an inauguration ceremony won ' t change anything. Thai ' s why I saw the inauguration as basically simple and done in good taste. He added, It wasn ' t blown up and pompous as 1 thought it would be.

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fellowships, the employability of graduates, and uclmi i other universities ' graduate schools. Ping listens tostudents, nol because they ' re students, but because they have something to say. Student activism is not as strong as it ought to be, Pingsays, in terms of consistent involvement in careful, analytical review. Students given the right to participate in the slow, dreary business of busy work tend to lose interest. He would rather see a more thorough, and systematic approach. Ping visits dorms to hear what is on students minds, and he is influenced by students on University Council and in student government Preskfent Ping is an athletic president, spending several hours a week working out on the equipment in the athletic department. He feels co-curricular activities such as drama, music, publications, and athletics, are important to the education of the students. He justifies a strong sports program because spoils contribute to the development of drive and responsibility in both players and spectators. The University is made up of various subcommunities. All aspects of University life contribute to the whole community. The party school image seems a part of O.U. ' s community. But Ping feels that reputation lags behind the present. I see so many students at the library on a Sunday afternoon. Students make excellent use of hills, parks and the regions surrounding Athens. The partying that goes on seems exaggerated because we have a high degree of visibility. The University ' s immediate future illustrates the way it accepts the challenges of this age. The overabundance of dormitories is being used as a positive force to help bring organizations on campus where students can gain practical experience working with people. The president is busy. His inauguration attracts many officials and alumni. But he is 0|)en to and has time for students ' thoughts because students are the ultimate promise of Ohio University. ABOVE: President Ping takes a break from work in his office. LEFT: Ping leaves his office in Cutler Hall with an associate at the end of a grey » inter day. Carole Levinfcston

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Flanked by tin- olor guard (right). Ping steps up to the platform at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony. Minutes later he was administered the oath of office bv Chief Justice C. William O ' Neill, making Ping O.U. ' s 18th president. Ping is framed (below) by two of the entourage of University trustees, former University presidents, and other inaugural officials on the platform. Held on March 6th and employing the vastness of the Convocation Center, the first public inauguration of a university president since Vernon Alden in 1962 was attended by close to 1,000 persons. With a seeming suspense that led up to the entrance of Ping, 132 delegates from educational institutions and organizations filed in, sporting brilliantly colorful delegate robes. Superficially, it was a display of splendor, but underneath it all, trie concept was simple; Ohio University now had a new president — Charles Ping. Bill Wade Expressions of interest (left and above) were shown during Ping ' s 31-page speech.