Dr. Edward J. Ray assumed the position of Oregon State University's President on July 31, 2003. Prior to coming to Oregon State, Ray was executive vice president and provost of The Ohio State University.
Under his leadership, OSU has completed a visionary campus-wide strategic plan that is serving as the framework for the university's development in profound and historic ways. Research funding has grown to $209 million since Dr. Ray's arrival, and the university has opened such key scientific facilities as the Kelley Engineering Center and the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Mindful of OSU's commitment to the people of Oregon, Dr. Ray has overseen the expansion of the Degree Partnership Program (DPP) with 11 of the state's community colleges, making it easier for students to complete four-year degrees. He has also taken a leadership role in fostering a more seamless P-20 system, working with area school superintendents, community college leaders and university colleagues to strengthen institutional connections and enhance the student experience. Dr. Ray has also helped to usher in a new era of partnership and cooperation between Oregon's public universities.
Dr. Ray was a member of the economics faculty at Ohio State from 1970-2003, serving as economics department chair from 1976 to 1992. He served as an associate provost from May 1992 until May 1993, senior vice provost and chief information officer from 1993-1998, and executive vice president and provost from 1998-2003.
His research interests include the history of protectionism in the United States, the determinants of U.S. foreign direct investment and foreign direct investment in the United States, the structure of tariff and non tariff trade barriers in the United States and abroad and the adoption of Social Security. His work has been published in The American Economic Review, The Journal of Political Economy, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, The Review of Economic Studies and other leading journals. He has co-authored a principles text, and his book, "U. S. Protectionism and the World Debt Crisis" was published by Quorum Press in 1989.
Dr. Ray received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Queens College (CUNY) in June 1966, graduating cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his master's in economics from Stanford University in 1969 and his doctorate in economics from Stanford in June 1971.
His wife Beth was a counselor and assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences while at Ohio State. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Degree Partnership Program (DPP).
U. S. Protectionism and the World Debt Crisis
