Cornell University: associate professor of law, 1980–1982; professor of law, 1982–1988; editor, Law and History Review, 1982–1987; dean and professor of law, 1988 to July 1998[6][10]
Grinnell College: twelfth president of Grinell College, 1998-2010; professor of history and science
Osgood at Grinnell
Osgood's administrative actions at Grinnell revolved around a strategic plan approved by the trustees in Spring 2005. The five-year plan's goals included increasing the emphasis on inquiry-based learning and broadening the curriculum; fostering faculty, student, and staff sense of ambition, adventure, and well-being; advancing Grinnell College as a more diverse, robust intellectual community; improving the fiscal balance and stability of the college; contributing to the vitality of the city of Grinnell; and strengthening the public profile of Grinnell College, Grinnellians, and the value of a Grinnell education.[11]
The Grinnell campus underwent much construction and renovation in the 2000s. Though the plans began during the tenure of the previous president, Pamela Ferguson, many of the projects occurred under Osgood. World-renowned architect Cesar Pelli designed several of the recent buildings.
Osgood stepped down from his post as president of Grinnell, effective July 31, 2010.[12] The Board of Trustees later chose Raynard S. Kington as Osgood's successor.[13] Reflecting on his experiences teaching both undergraduates and law students, Osgood said he "enjoyed interacting with law students as a teacher and dean, but he says he enjoys undergraduates more. 'I like law students,' he says, 'but they're much more developed and formed. Undergraduates are still making fundamental choices in their life. It’s more interesting to interact with them.'"[14]
Osgood is married, with four grown children[6] and three dogs.[16]
Osgood is a runner, and students and faculty have reported seeing him jogging at very early hours in short, red swimsuits.[17] "I have about 15 pairs of bathing suits," Osgood said, "About half of them are red. I don’t know why I have 15. If you see me around my house at night, you’ll see me wearing them. I just wear them as shorts. Not just for running purposes—I wear them when I fly on planes.”[18]
