Time and Change is a weekly series highlighting the history of some of Ohio State's storied traditions.
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All 14 Presidents of Ohio State have lived in a residence sponsored by the University.
The Rickley House, which was located at 15th and High Street, was the first place OSU Presidents called home. It was a 7,200 square foot home which belonged to William Neil who owned the property in which Ohio State was built on. J.J. Rickley bought the home from Neil and sold it to Ohio State in 1871.
The Rickley House
President Thompson moved out of the residence in the 1920’s after High Street grew busier. The Rickley House was later torn down and replaced by the Mershon Auditorium.
Under President George Rightmire, the University Residence was relocated to a mansion on 12th Avenue, now known as the Honors and Scholars House. President Novice Fawcett was the last to live in this mansion, due to the deteriorating structural conditions and growing campus, thus ending the trend of University Presidents living on campus in 1972.
Kuhn Honors and Scholars House
In 1972, OSU purchased a private residence, in Clintonville, that University Presidents Harold Enarson, and Edward Jennings both lived in during their terms. Before Gordon Gee’s first term as President, the University sold the 7,000 square foot house over concerns of space for events.
President Gee wanted a residence in a suburban neighborhood, and the University purchased a home in Commonwealth Park in Bexley. In 2000, Ron and Ann Pizzuti donated a home in Bexley in exchange for the former residence in Commonwealth Park. This is the current University Residence.
Gordon Gee's bow tie collection in the University Residence.
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The home, donated by the Pizzuti Family, was twice the size of the former residence and was conducive to the wide range of events hosted by the Presidents who lived there. The University leased the house for $1 a year and the Board of Trustees moved to purchase the home for $1 in 2016.
Each President has made the space their own, but the main function of the residence is to host events and receptions for students, faculty and staff as well as development functions for the University. With President Drake retiring this Summer, it will be interesting to see if and where the Presidential Residence moves next.
There are only five places in which Presidents of the University have lived, leaving a trail of history and tradition.
