Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray Is Stepping Down

Oregon State University president Edward J. Ray announced Friday that he will step down when his contract ends in 2020.

The chair of OSU's board of trustees will announce the timeline and process for selecting a new president over the next few weeks.

"The timing for this transition is excellent. We have just adopted a new chapter in our strategic plan that will guide the university for the next five years, and we also will be directed by our statement of aspirations: Vision 2030 – Distinction, Access and Excellence,” Ray said in a news release.

Ray has been the university’s president since 2003. He is Oregon’s longest-serving current public university president.

He will be 75 years old when he steps down.