The esteemed grandson of the 5th president of State will be the commencement speaker when more than 260 students graduate at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.
Dr. William Theodore “Ted” McDaniel, Jr., professor emeritus of music and African American and African Studies at Ohio State, is related to John W. Davis, our fifth president for 34 years (1919-1953).
McDaniel retired from OSU three years ago after teaching there for 35 years. He is a renowned composer. Some of his familiar works are music for “Sesame Street”. As arranger for the OSU Marching Band since 1981, his music has been performed at every Big 10 stadium and at major bowl games.
At the School of Music and the Department of African American and African Studies, he served as Department Chair for eight years. His scholarly and creative writings were mostly on aspects of jazz and black music. He was invited to lecture throughout the United States and to present in Africa, Europe and China.
McDaniel was Director of Jazz Studies and directed the OSU Jazz Ensemble from 1990-2015. His leadership of the Jazz Ensemble led to national performances and five international tours.
