Ohio State University President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. has resigned due to an “inappropriate relationship.” “The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has accepted President Walter ‘Ted’ Carter Jr.’s resignation. The president recently disclosed to trustees that he had an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business, and offered to resign. The board appreciates the president’s contributions to the university over the last two years,” the university stated. “The Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan, rising national rankings, growth in research expenditures and multiple new scholarship programs, along with the team the president assembled, have elevated Ohio State’s position as a national leader. Ohio State will share additional information about the transition in the coming days,” it continued. BREAKING: OSU President Ted Carter resigned effective Monday after an inappropriate relationship with an unnamed person seeking public resources. https://t.co/I8UW7JzXyu pic.twitter.com/18zzXdCZYz — NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) March 9, 2026 Cleveland.com has more: During a 15-minute news conference Monday afternoon, OSU chief spokesman Benjamin Johnson said he couldn’t clarify what the inappropriate relationship was and if it was sexual. “The university will investigate potential concerns over public resources,” Johnson said. Johnson said an unidentified person outside the university came to the Board of Trustees in recent days to talk about the inappropriate relationship. The board late last week had a regularly scheduled quarterly meeting March 3-5. On Saturday trustees again met for three hours in an executive session, citing a need to close the meeting to the public with a blanket statement saying they may discuss potential litigation or personnel matters. Johnson said he couldn’t share more specific details about what was discussed. “For personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as president of The Ohio State University. I disclosed to the board of trustees that I made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership,” Carter said. “I believe we have made much progress during my time at Ohio State, and I’m sorry I’m not able to remain your president longer. The students, faculty and staff at this university are among the very best in the world, and the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan has Ohio State poised to succeed for years to come,” he added. The Columbus Dispatch shared further: Carter said he and his wife, Lynda, are leaving Ohio State with “gratitude and appreciation for this wonderful community.” “It has been an honor to serve as this university’s 17th president, and we wish the university ongoing success,” he said. Carter officially began his two-year tenure at Ohio State in January 2024. He succeeded former OSU President Kristina Johnson, who stepped down following two years at the helm in May 2023 after her sudden resignation revealed consternation with the board of trustees. His initial contract was set to run through Dec. 31, 2028. Before coming to Ohio State, Carter served as president of the University of Nebraska system. The bulk of Carter’s career was spent in the United States Navy. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy Fighter Weapons School — also known as Top Gun — and studied at the Navy Nuclear Power School, the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Naval War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He led the Naval Academy as its longest continuously serving superintendent since the Civil War.