Applause filled the Walter Hall Rotunda as Dr. Hugh Sherman was formally celebrated as OHIO’s 22nd president during an investiture ceremony on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Also known as an inauguration, an investiture officially installs the university’s new leader.
Ohio University Board of Trustees Chair Cary Cooper, Vice President Peggy Viehweger, Secretary David Moore, and Faculty Senate Chair Robin Muhammad participated in the historic ceremony.
OHIO community members were welcomed to attend the event in person, and all were invited to join virtually.
After being installed as OHIO’s president, Sherman also delivered his first State of the University Address. He began by talking about how he drove into Athens with his then-fiancé and now wife, Nikki, 26 years ago this summer and how they thought it was the “perfect University town.” Sherman also highlighted some of the University’s strengths, trends impacting higher education and some of his presidential priorities during the address.
If you missed the event, view the presidential installment and State of the University Address recording at www.ohio.edu/president/university-address.

OHIO community members were invited to participate in-person and virtually.

President Sherman (center) is bestowed with the Presidential Seal of Office by Board of Trustees Vice Chair Peggy Viehweger (left) and Chair Cary Cooper (right). The seal was designed by the late Professor of Art David Klahn as a symbolic representation of the President’s authority, to be worn for official University occasions.

President Sherman delivers his first State of the University address.

The Presidential investiture and State of the University address occurred in the Walter Hall Rotunda at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20.

Ohio University Board of Trustees members (front row) and OHIO community members give a round of applause after President Sherman’s address.

OHIO community members were invited to participate in-person for the festivities.

President Sherman hugs OHIO Board of Trustees member Lorrie Platt.