Ping's surviving family members could not be reached Wednesday night by The Dispatch.
Ping began his 19-year tenure as Ohio University's president in 1975 — inheriting waning enrollment, massive debt and a school in turmoil amid the protests of the Vietnam War, according to a news release from the university. Under Ping's leadership, the university launched multiple capital campaigns to raise money and established many new academic programs to boost enrollment and restore financial stability.
Among the new programs was sports administration and international business. Both the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Health and Human Services (now the College of Health Sciences and Professions) were established during his presidency.