JD Vance is about to make history by becoming the first Ohio State University (OSU) alumnus to serve as Vice President of the United States. While this is a remarkable milestone for both Vance and his alma mater, Ohio State University has no plans to mark this achievement with any special recognition or celebration. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially given the significance of his rise to the nation’s second-highest office.
Ohio State’s Neutral Stance on Political Figures
Ben Johnson, a spokesperson for Ohio State, explained that the university’s stance is rooted in its identity as a public institution. “As a public university, we do not take partisan positions,” Johnson stated. He clarified that Ohio State congratulated Vance in two posts on X (formerly Twitter) following his nomination and after his election victory, but emphasized that there were no plans for any further formal recognition at this time. “While nothing is planned immediately, we will continue to highlight his historic achievement,” Johnson added, as reported by Yahoo News.
This neutrality has been a guiding principle for Ohio State in the past, and the university seeks to avoid becoming involved in political matters or celebrations of political figures, no matter how significant their accomplishments might be.
Vance’s Connection to Ohio State
Vance’s connection to Ohio State is undeniable. The former US senator from Ohio graduated in 2009, where he studied political science and philosophy. He frequently returned to his alma mater, including as a scholar in residence in the Department of Political Science in 2017. Vance has spoken at Ohio State on several occasions, discussing his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and addressing social issues facing Ohio. Despite this close relationship, OSU’s decision to remain neutral in its recognition of his vice-presidential achievement stands firm.
Ohio State’s position reflects a broader trend of public institutions maintaining political neutrality, ensuring their focus remains on academic excellence rather than political affiliations.
