Ohio University mourns the death of President Emeritus Robert Glidden

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’s 19th President, 1994-2004

As President of Ohio University, Dr. Robert Glidden embraced improvements in technology, aggressively encouraged faculty research, supported major changes to the academic curriculum and spearheaded the University’s Bicentennial Campaign that raised over $221 million for scholarships, endowed professorships, technological enhancements and innovative programs.

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 OHIO’s history. Many good things happened during his 10-year tenure.”

Dr. Robert Glidden, Ohio University President, 1994-2004. © Ohio University

President Glidden was not only a strong champion of OHIO – 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 OHIO. He also served as Chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees during Glidden’s first year as President.

Hodson recalled how Glidden made OHIO a better place during his 10 years as OHIO’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 OHIO, 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.

He served on the music faculties of Wright State University and Indiana University, and from 1969 to 1972 he was associate professor, director of graduate studies in music, and chairman of music education at the University of Oklahoma. He then became the Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Association for Schools of Art in Washington before moving to Bowling Green State University in 1975, where he was a professor and dean of the College of Musical Arts. In 1979, Dr. Glidden became dean of Florida State University’s School of Music, and he was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs at FSU in 1991.

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 OHIO, 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 OHIO. 

“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.”

President Glidden is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Rene’, and his three daughters: Melissa Marsh, Michele Glidden and Briana Brookes; his five grandchildren: Alexandria Marsh, Anne McAdams, Victoria Mitchell, Katie Juergens and Matthew Taylor; three great-grandchildren: William and Thomas McAdams and Alexander Juergens. He is also survived by his brother, H. Guy Glidden.

A private service is planned, and a musical Celebration of Life at the Grace Episcopal Church (Lexington, VA) will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial tributes be given to the Grace Episcopal Church Music Fund or the Rockbridge Area Relief Association.