03
April
2020
|
10:17 AM
America/New_York

The Ohio State University Alumni Association names Molly Ranz Calhoun president and CEO

Calhoun will transition from leadership role in Student Life to become the alumni association’s 12th president

Molly Ranz Calhoun has dedicated her professional life to The Ohio State University and will soon take the next step on that journey by serving her alma mater as senior vice president of alumni relations and president and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc.

Calhoun, currently senior associate vice president in the Office of Student Life, earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial design at Ohio State in 1986. She has worked in a variety of leadership roles at the university for more than three decades.

“Many of my most important decisions have been centered in some way around The Ohio State University,” she said. “My children were born at the medical center, and later I trusted the team at our university child care center to watch over them while I worked. My entire career has been spent in service to this incredible university and our amazing students, parents, volunteers, patients, friends and fans.

“I am simply overjoyed for the opportunity to work in service to our 570,000 alumni around the world. I am also exceedingly mindful of the very difficult time facing our university, medical center, nation and globe. I want Buckeyes near and far to know that we are doing all we can to promote the health, safety and continued education of all.”

Calhoun will start in her new role effective May 1. She will be the first woman to lead the association in nearly 100 years. Calhoun replaces Jim Smith, who stepped down on April 1 after four years serving as president and CEO.

“We are delighted that Molly will be bringing her creativity, intelligence and drive to our alumni association,” said President Michael V. Drake. “She is a true Buckeye and fully embodies the Ohio State spirit.”

From student employee to interim senior vice president for student life, Calhoun has served the Buckeye community with distinction for over 30 years. Highlights include leading the university’s largest-ever residential construction project, the North Residential District Transformation, helping to coordinate annual move-in logistics planning for 10,500 students and their families, and more. Throughout her career, Calhoun has worked closely with students, staff, law enforcement officials and alumni volunteers, many of whom participate in move-in and other student-focused events each year. Calhoun also launched the development of the Off-Campus Housing Excellence Program, and she was a champion of Ohio State’s co-curricular esports programming, including the construction of a 90-player esports arena.

Calhoun’s Buckeye family ties run deep: “My parents fell in love at Ohio State, and between them, my siblings and me, and our children, we have 14 degrees ... and two more on the way.”

Catherine Baumgardner, chair of the alumni association board, said the organization is midway through its five-year strategic plan and is thrilled for Calhoun to continue leading this effort in her new role.

“I can’t wait to see what innovations Molly will bring as our association’s president and CEO,” Baumgardner said. “Her professional accomplishments speak volumes, and she is also an incredible Buckeye, a great combination for our new leader. Our alumni the world over are in great hands.”

Senior Vice President for Advancement Michael C. Eicher agreed, noting that the association has more than 50 societies and over 125 clubs worldwide.

“Molly has dedicated her life to our Buckeye family,” Eicher said. “Our students have benefited from her tireless efforts for many years, and I am excited to see the new heights she can help us achieve working with our wonderful association staff and alumni leaders.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article stated that the hire was subject to Board of Trustees approval. This position does not require Board approval.

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