Robert Glidden, former president of Ohio University, conducted his meetings with the Ohio University Board of Trustees the same way he conducted his chamber orchestra.
Since he left in 2004 after a decade-long presidency, Glidden made his first official return to OU to advise and conduct students studying music, as he did in undergraduate and graduate school.
Christopher Hayes, director of the School of Music, said he asked Glidden to visit the school in the fall, and they were both able to find time at the end of the year.
Glidden will be conducting OU’s Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band in preparation for their trip to Europe during the summer, Hayes said. He will also be attending the School of Music award ceremony with current OU President Roderick McDavis.
“(Glidden’s) visit will afford School of Music students the unique opportunity to engage with a former Ohio University president and benefit from his musical talents,” McDavis said.
Chelsea Mabes, a junior studying music therapy who attended Glidden’s discussion, said she enjoyed hearing about Glidden’s background in music and path to central administration.
“He was in this building at the same spot as us, so it was really inspirational to hear from him,” she said.
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a doctorate in music, Glidden climbed from a high school and college band director to dean of music then provost at Florida State University before serving as OU’s president from 1994-2004.
“Being a dean and then being a provost is really excellent preparation for being a president,” Glidden said.
The transition from music administration to central administration came naturally based on his experience with musicians, Glidden said.
He said working with the Board of Trustees was one of his most critical jobs as president, but he was able to succeed in fostering a group dynamic from his experiences working with chamber musicians.
“As a leader, just as you would if you were coaching a string quartet, if you see a problem, you have to spend a little time on that,” he said.
He was most proud of the academic triumphs he saw in scientific research and the English department during his time as president, Glidden said.
“As a president, you get to feel a part of that (success) even though you don’t have a lot to do with it personally,” he said.
Hayes was happy to have Glidden focus on and bring attention to the accomplishments of music students.
“It was important to bring President Glidden back to interact with the music school in a way that wasn’t possible when he was here,” Hayes said.
dk123111@ohiou.edu
