Michael Drake takes post as University of California president

Former Ohio State president Michael Drake has been named as the new president of the University of California system.

Former Ohio State president Michael Drake has accepted the president position within the University of California per multiple reports. He will be the university’s first Black president.

Drake became the fifteenth president of Ohio State on June 30, 2014 after spending nine years as the president of UC Irvine. His time at Ohio State was one that polarized many. From academic policy to the handling of the Urban Meyer suspension stemming from the Zach Smith domestic violence investigation, the critics were many. Yet, his peers and academia have high esteem for him to this day.

Drake was planning to stay at Ohio State as president emeritus as Kristina Johnson takes on the presidency at OSU, but instead will be taking on a more visible role at another large institution of higher learning. For him, it is going home in a sense. Before his time at UC Irvine, Drake served as the vice chancellor for health affairs at Cal.

A little unlike Ohio State, the University of California system has several more significant satellites rather than one main campus as the priority. He will be in charge of ten campuses and all the surrounding support, disciplines, and various centers of study.

“Dr. Drake personifies the qualities we looked for in selecting a new president,” said John A. Pérez, chair of the UC Board of Regents in a statement. “He is committed to seeing the whole student and to supporting all our students. He recognizes the incalculable value of faculty and staff to the University’s mission, and he understands the importance of the public and private partnerships that help us achieve that mission. As the first person of color to serve as UC president, Dr. Drake returns to UC at an important point in the University’s journey. This is a homecoming the University of California is very excited to be celebrating early.”