Tustees praise retiring Ohio State president

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University trustees have thanked and praised retiring President Gordon Gee (ghee) in a board meeting that Gee joked sounded like a funeral.

More than a dozen trustees broke from Friday’s agenda to address Gee during his final board meeting as president. They called him a peerless figure in higher education. Several said they loved him.

Gee, a Mormon, told them his job was challenging but he had viewed it as a calling.

Gee announced his July 1 retirement this week, days after the latest in a long line of his verbal gaffes became public. The December remarks jabbed Roman Catholics and the academic integrity of Southeastern Conference schools.

The 69-year-old Gee cited his age and family among reasons for retiring.

The board approved provost Joseph Alutto as interim president.