George W. Rightmire (on the left) receives an honorary degree of Law from William Oxley Thompson, June 13, 1928. George Washington Rightmire (November 15, 1868 – December 23, 1952) was named president of the Ohio State University in 1926. He was the first graduate of that university to become its head. He succeeded Dr. W. O. Thompson, who retired after 26 years of service. In 1885 at the age of 17, upon his graduation from high school, Dr. Rightmire taught in a country school in Scioto County, Ohio, near Powellsville. After remaining there for two years he taught another two years at Wheelersburg Ohio. Then he entered the preparatory department of Ohio State and later in the year was registered as a freshman. At the end of the year he left the university to become principal of the township high school at Smeasville, Ohio. In less than a year he journeyed to Del Norte, Colorado, to accept a teaching position there. In two years he returned to Ohio State and completed his college course in 1895. Three years later he obtained his master of arts degree. Dr. Rightmire then taught for seven years in a Columbus high school while taking advanced work at the University. In 1901 he completed his law work and was admitted to the bar. In 1902 he became a member of the Ohio State faculty attaining a full professorship four years later. In another four years he was appointed dean of the College of law. While in school he participated in track events, hammer throwing, shot putting and the jumps. In his early days as a faculty member he was treasurer of the University Athletic Association and for a short time graduate manager of athletics. President Rightmire was considered an authority on contracts and federal procedure, but private case which he has undertaken have those which involved patents. He was chairman of the Ohio State Bar Association and a member of the university board of directors.