Chancellor Randy Gardner, from left, was recognized for his years of service by State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari and BGSU President Dr. Rodney Roger at the BGSU women’s basketball game Tuesday.
Randy Gardner, who is retiring as Department of Higher Education chancellor, was honored Tuesday with a resolution from the Ohio House of Representatives and by his alma mater, Bowling Green State University.
During halftime of the Bowling Green State University versus South Carolina women’s basketball game in front of one of the largest crowds in Stroh Center history, State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) recognized Gardner with a resolution to recognize his 33 years of public service.
Gardner served as the department’s 10th chancellor. Before that, he served in either the Ohio House or Ohio Senate since 1985. The former Otsego High School teacher is a graduate of Eastwood High School.
“Chancellor Gardner is a public servant in every sense of the word,” Ghanbari said. “Whether he was teaching high school students, serving in the legislature or as chancellor, the positive impact he made for the people of Bowling Green and the state of Ohio will be felt for years to come.”
Gardner will retire Dec. 31.
Joining Ghanbari on the court in honoring Gardner was BGSU President Dr. Rodney K. Rogers and BGSU Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe.
Gardner, a two-time BGSU alumnus, received the President’s Medallion and a customized BGSU basketball jersey adorned with his last name and the number 33 to represent his years of service in the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives.
The Bowling Green native has been a longtime public servant, first as a high school history and government teacher, then as an elected official representing northwestern Ohio for more than 30 years in both the Ohio House and Senate. He held various leadership positions in both chambers, including Majority Floor Leader of the Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore, House Majority Leader and House Speaker Pro Tempore.
During his tenure, Gardner amassed 10,433 consecutive roll call votes, never missing a vote in his 33 years in the Ohio House and Senate. He also served as chair of the Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education, advocating for enhanced state support of public education while encouraging efforts to make higher education more affordable.
In 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Gardner as chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education to oversee the state’s public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education and adult career centers. In this cabinet-level role, Gardner oversees Ohio’s public universities and career centers and carries out state higher education policies.
“Chancellor Gardner has been a lifelong advocate of education and he has absolutely made Ohio a better place to learn, live and work,” Rogers said. “As a two-time BGSU alumnus, Chancellor Gardner has taken his passion for education from the classroom to the statehouse where he has consistently supported the value of lifelong learning for our economy and democracy.”
Gardner received his bachelor of science in education and a master of arts in political science from BGSU.
As chancellor, Gardner ushered in a series of successes, including improving college affordability and accessibility for Ohio students. Under his leadership, the state doubled funding for STEM scholarship recipients, created its first merit-based scholarship campaign and increased need-based financial aid for students by 84%.
Gardner recently was honored with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is only the second person to receive it, behind former Speaker Jo Ann Davidson.
