John A. Roush took office on July 1, 1998, as the 20th president of Centre College. He brought 25 years of experience in higher education, most recently as vice president for planning at the University of Richmond.

A graduate of Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio, Roush earned a bachelor's degree in English at Ohio University's Honors College, where he graduated summa cum laude. He completed master's and doctoral degrees at Miami University. Active in athletics, Roush was Ohio University Scholar Athlete of the Year and three times earned Academic All-American honors in football.

Roush began his career in higher education at Miami University as a graduate assistant football coach and remained there nine years, culminating as executive assistant to the president. He joined the University of Richmond in 1982 as executive assistant to the president and by the late 1980s had emerged as an institutional leader in efforts to create the Jepson School of Leadership. He served on the committee charged with planning its mission, curriculum, and facilities. From 1990 to 1998, Roush served as vice president for planning, executive assistant to the president, and secretary to the board of trustees at UR.

In addition to his work in higher education, Roush served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is a regular contributor to professional journals. He is a member of several professional boards and organizations, including the Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards and Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He also remains active in civic and community affairs and the Presbyterian Church.

He and his wife, Susie Miller Roush, are the parents of two sons, Luke, 23, a 2000 graduate of Duke, and Mark, 20, a sophomore at Northwestern. Mrs. Roush is a native of Dover, Ohio, and has a bachelor's degree from Ohio University and a master's degree from Miami University.