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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray has been elected vice-chair of the board of directors of the Association of American Colleges and Universities for 2014. He will chair the board in 2015.

The organization is the leading national association dealing with the quality and public understanding of undergraduate liberal education.

Founded in 1915, the association has more than 1,300 member institutions, including accredited public and private colleges, research universities, community colleges and other institutions. Among its goals are to advance liberal education as a global necessity, increase the value of college degrees in the United States, improve student success and promote innovation, and develop social responsibility.

Ray has been president of OSU since July 31 of 2003. Under his leadership, Oregon State completed and adopted a comprehensive strategic plan, launched a campaign that successfully raised more than $1 billion, put a plan in place to transform the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend into a four-year program, and experienced a remarkable growth in enrollment, research funding, and private support.

The OSU president has chaired the NCAA Executive Committee, and served on the board of directors for the American Council on Education and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Before coming to Oregon State, he was a faculty member and administrator at The Ohio State University for more than 30 years.

Ken Ruscio, president of Washington and Lee University, will chair the  AAC&U board in 2014 when Ray is vice-chair.