Walter “Ted” Carter, the University of Nebraska system president, announced his decision to step away and join The Ohio State University in the same position. He will continue to serve for Nebraska through Dec. 31 and enter his presidency in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2024.
On Aug. 22, Carter released a public message addressing his departure.
“Ultimately, Ohio State offers the opportunity to continue to advance the work and mission of public higher education at another leading Big Ten university,” Carter said. “Just as Lynda and I saw the University of Nebraska four years ago as the next calling in our lives of service, we now see Ohio State as a calling that we will do our best to answer.”
Carter will serve as The Ohio State University’s 17th president, filling a vacancy left after the previous president’s mid-contract resolution. According to The Ohio State University’s student newspaper, The Lantern, no explanation was given for the departure of the school’s previous president, Kristina Johnson. Johnson resigned in November 2022 and served through the end of the 2023-24 academic year. An acting president will serve for The Ohio State University until Carter’s arrival.
Carter said it was “a bittersweet decision” to step away from Nebraska.
“In our four years here, we (Carter and his wife) have come to treasure Nebraska as our own home state,” Carter said. “In every community we’ve visited, Nebraskans have welcomed us with open arms and genuine love for their university. This is a special place, with special people, whose university is achieving great things for the state and the world.”
In January 2020, Carter came to Nebraska as the university system’s 8th president. He previously served at the U.S. Naval Academy as the longest continually-serving superintendent since the Civil War.
Chancellor Doug Kristensen released a statement regarding Carter’s time at Nebraska and congratulating him on his new position.
“President Carter has made a lasting impact on Nebraska,” Kristensen said. “The University is in a position of strength and stability as we begin the 2023 academic year and beyond. We stand ready to carry out our mission and vision.”
The Antelope contacted Carter for further comment on the reasoning for his departure. A staff member in his office agreed to have questions answered over email, but no response was received by The Antelope’s deadline.
