Stephen Ramirez Appointed Campus Safety Director at Ohio University

Contact: Ted Kohan, (740) 593-2557

ATHENS, Ohio (November 9, 2000) -- Stephen M. Ramirez, chief of police at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, has been appointed director of campus safety at Ohio University in Athens, Associate Vice President for Administration Ted Kohan announced today. Ramirez will begin his duties in mid-December. He replaces Ted Jones, who is retiring after more than 12 years in the post.

Ramirez has headed the St. Mary's police department since 1996. He previously was director of the Department of Safety and Security at Palm Beach (Fla.) Atlantic College from 1994 to 1996 and a member of the Juno Beach, Fla., Police Department for nine years, as a patrolman, criminal investigator and shift commander. He was named Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Palm Beach County in 1991. Ramirez has five years of military law enforcement experience with the Marines Corps and provided law enforcement and security with embassies in the Ivory Coast and Rome. He also has had articles published in law enforcement professional journals.

"Stephen Ramirez has an excellent blend of experience, having been the director of two campus police departments and a member of a municipal police force," Kohan said. "In his past positions, he has created a new department and provided outstanding leadership wherever he has been."

At Ohio University, Ramirez will manage a 33-member department, including police officers, assistant/associate directors, communications officers and support personnel. The Department of Campus Safety is responsible for all police functions of the university.

Ramirez was hired following a nearly five-month national search. Fifty-eight people applied for the position and four participated in on-campus interviews.

"We were very fortunate to have a fine pool of final candidates, including two outstanding internal candidates," Kohan said. "It made the decision extremely difficult, but Ramirez was most impressive throughout the interview process."

Ramirez supervises a 22-member staff at St. Mary's. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from Palm Beach Atlantic College and is a doctoral candidate at The George Washington University. He holds Master Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

"My family and I are very excited about becoming members of the Ohio University and Athens community," Ramirez said. "During my recent visit to campus, I felt energized by the openness and commitment of the faculty, staff and students. Most of all, I look forward to serving my new community by providing empowering leadership to the fine officers and staff of the Ohio University Police Department." Jones has been instrumental in creating a campus police program that has become a state and national model, Kohan noted.

"Ted has been successful in bringing the expertise of the Department of Campus Safety to the highest level," Kohan said.