E. Gordon Gee

Dr. E. Gordon Gee, the President of West Virginia University, has served as president of some of the most prestigious public and private universities for more than three decades.  

When he returned to lead West Virginia University in 2014 as the institution’s 24th president, it was a homecoming of sorts. He was first named WVU president in 1981 at age 36 – at the time, among the youngest persons to ever serve as a university president. He led West Virginia University until 1985 when he went on to presidencies at the University of Colorado (1985-90), Brown University (1998-2000) and Vanderbilt University (2001-07). He served as president of The Ohio State University from 1990-97 and again from 2007-13. 

Gee is currently serving as chair of the Big 12 Board of Directors Executive Committee and is a member of Forward 50, an initiative working toward student equity, success and outcomes.

He is the co-author of over a dozen books, including his two most recent, “Leading Colleges and Universities” and “Land-Grant Universities for the Future.” He has also authored many papers and articles on law and education.