The legacy of presidential visits to Ohio U

Photo via Ohio University Digital Archives

Ohio University has always stood as a strong place in Ohio for grassroots political movements and strength. Although it has been more than a decade since a sitting president has been on campus, Athens remains as a place where political leaders can message not only students of a multitude of backgrounds, but also the working-class people of Southeast Ohio. 

One of these historically-defining moments in the campus’s history took place on May 7, 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the campus. Standing before a large crowd at Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium during Ohio U’s 160th anniversary, Johnson outlined his vision for the “Great Society,” a sweeping agenda aimed at eradicating poverty and racial injustice. This speech was actually the first mention of this plan he had ever made and helped shape the direction of American policy. It still remains an extremely significant moment in Ohio U’s engagement with national leadership.

During his address, Johnson called for legislative reforms in education, healthcare and civil rights, emphasizing the role of government in improving Americans’ quality of life. His vision led to the passage of historic initiatives, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Civil Rights Act. Ohio U students and faculty listened as Johnson’s words laid the foundation for decades of social progress, marking the occasion as one of the most impactful presidential visits in university history.

While Johnson’s visit remains a defining moment, Ohio U has also welcomed several other presidents, each leaving a distinct mark on the institution.

The year after Johnson’s speech, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited Ohio U on October 5, 1965, to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. His speech emphasized leadership, public service and global responsibility, offering valuable insight to students and faculty.

Nearly half a century later, on October 17, 2012, President Barack Obama visited Ohio U during his re-election campaign. Speaking to a crowd of approximately 14,000 on College Green, Obama addressed economic policies, healthcare and education, energizing both students and community members in one of the largest political gatherings in the university’s history.

Lastly, on April 1, 2016, former President Bill Clinton visited the Athens campus in support of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. His speech, delivered to a packed audience, touched on economic development and social policies. The speech aimed to reinforce the university’s tradition as a site for national political engagement.

Ohio U commemorates historic presidential visits plus the visits of other historically significant figures with plaques on the West Portico of the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The markers have always served as reminders of the university’s role in engaging with national leaders and the impact the university has had on shaping student discourse.

Although it has been nearly a decade since a sitting president specifically visited Athens, the university has a special place in politics where political leaders can communicate with a wide demographic of Ohioans. 

Even if presidents do not campaign, Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno, who competed in the 2024 election, spent a good amount of time campaigning in Athens. Obviously, this means state politicians see Athens as a great campaigning resource. As many more elections come through in the future, that seemingly will not change.

This article was published in TNP’s Spring 2025 Print edition.