March 18, 2008

Gordon Gee's Bow Tie Rockets Into Space

E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State University, is renowned for his skill, substantial pay, and ever-present bow tie. Now the president’s neckwear has gone out on its own and made history — as the first bow tie in space.

Richard M. Linnehan, an Ohio State alumnus, took one of Mr. Gee’s scarlet-and-gray bow ties aboard the space shuttle Endeavour before it was launched last week, according to the Associated Press. Dr. Linnehan and the bow tie are on a two-week trip to the International Space Station.

After all, what’s space travel without accessorizing? —Elyse Ashburn

Comments

1. What’s up with the fascination with E. Gordon Gee? Now his bow tie? Give me a break!

   — Linda    Mar 18, 04:32 PM    #

2. Gee-whiz!

   — Gordon    Mar 18, 04:34 PM    #

3. What a goof ball. Fired at Brown. Wife throws him out at Vandy and OSU hires him back to get a bowtie

   — james oakley    Mar 18, 05:29 PM    #

4. It never ceases to amaze me that this person continues to get good press. He left Brown under a cloud, made some of the biggest blunders any leader can at Vanderbilt by completely flaunting university policy and the law, and then Ohio State hires him as some sort of savior. His behavior as a chief executive shows just what hypocrites those of us in higher education are – we talk a good game, espouse platitudes about how we are better than most and rise above the ills of everyday society, but when it comes to some of our leaders, their behavior and leadership leaves very much to be desired. If I were an Ohio State alum I would be very disappointed that my institution chose to hire Gee.

   — Jonathan    Mar 19, 07:14 AM    #

5. I don’t qualify to have an opinion about Gordon Gee’s competence as an academic administrator. But as a fellow bow tie wearer, I must stand up for Dr. Gee’s sartorual flair. I can tell you that if you are going to make a dog’s breakfast of something in a public forum, there is no more conspicuous way to do it than by wearing a bow tie while doing it.

   — Philip J Tramdack    Mar 19, 07:35 AM    #

6. I knew he was well-traveled, but this is a bit over the top, no?

   — Abbott Katz    Mar 19, 07:52 AM    #

7. I remember Gordon Gee when I was a student at CU Boulder. He would actually throw frisbees with us as we left the game. If you ever met the man you would understand the fascination. His ability to deal with people on a down to earth level make him even more likable. Nice to hear positive things once in awhile.

   — Doug Morton    Mar 19, 02:01 PM    #

8. I remember him at CU too he made a old time Morman like statement about the role of women and was ridden out of town on a rail. He had a special marriage ceremony with his ill wife pledging eternity but after she passed away he married within six months to the gal who went to Brown and Vandy with him. And then she threw him out of Tennessee. When the seat gets hot he tap dances and jumps ship I guess. But OSU loves his bowtie personality I guess.

   — james oakley    Mar 19, 02:45 PM    #

9. I remember when he kept re-doing the president’s home at WVU. Fortunately we already HAD one and were not stuck w/ the cost of building one plus running all utilities to the property as was CU. As dean of the WVU Law School and then president, he enjoyed finding ways to keep the “letter” of the law, while obliterating the “intent” of the law. Seemingly, this less than stellar trait has stood him in good stead as he cruises through university presidential residences across the country. The afternoon he announced his move to CU, I phoned a CU graduate and said: “our gain is your loss”.

   — Joan    Mar 21, 08:31 AM    #

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