Richard Frank Celeste (born November 11, 1937) is an American former diplomat, university administrator and politician from Ohio.

Celeste then received a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Exeter College at Oxford University, where he is an Honorary Fellow.

After returning to the United States, Celeste served as staff liaison office in the Peace Corps and as special assistant to Chester Bowles.

His Ohio House District included western Cleveland and Lakewood, where his father Frank, had once served as mayor.

Maurer had been convicted of raping and killing his 8 year old Massillon neighbor Dawn Marie Hendershot in the early 1980s.

Under the Celestes, the Governor's art exhibits, chamber music concerts and First Lady's spiritual retreats and theology gatherings as well as Christmas and Hanukkah parties for neighborhood kids became regular seasonal events.

[9] In 2020, Celeste, with another former governor Bob Taft were appointed to establish and lead a task force to help expand COVID-19 testing in Ohio during the pandemic.

During his tenure as president, Celeste raised $200 million for such things as capital improvements and scholarships to help disadvantaged and minority students.

He started serving as president in 2002, and was replaced in July 2011 by Jill Tiefenthaler, provost and economics professor at Wake Forest University.

Celeste has 13 grandchildren, including two who were students at Colorado College and one who is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University.

The Richard F. Celeste Laboratory of Chemistry on the Columbus Campus of the Ohio State University is named in honor of the former Governor.

In addition, the Richard F. Celeste Theater at the Cornerstone Arts Center of Colorado College is named in honor of his tenure as president.