$3.85 Million Cohen Foundation Gift Supports Library Renovation, Diversity Initiative

The Ohio State University has announced gifts totaling $3.85 million, made through the A.B., Dolly, and Ralph Cohen Foundation of Cincinnati. The gifts were made on behalf of the estate of the late Julia Winter Cohen and the Cohen family. Julia's daughters-Susan Winter Ward of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Marilyn Winter-Tamkin of Santa Fe, N.M.-had the pleasure of announcing how the Cohen Foundation gift would be allocated.

Of the total gift amount, $3 million was designated to support the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library Renovation Fund, for restoration of the Grand Reading Room. In recognition of the gift, the room will be named the Cohen Family Grand Reading Room.*

"The restoration of the grand reading room has been one of the top priorities in the remaking of the Main Library at Ohio State," said University Libraries Director Joseph Branin. "This generous gift from the Cohen family makes this goal a reality."

The remaining $851,000 will establish the Ralph Irwin and Julia Winter Cohen Critical Difference for Women Re-Entry Scholarship Fund, named for the late mother and stepfather of Ms. Winter-Tamkin and Ms. Winter Ward.* The annual interest income from this endowed fund will provide scholarships to qualified applicants, with special preference given to women who are considering careers in education and have children at home.

"Our Academic Plan calls for Ohio State to join the nation's top 10 public teaching and research institutions by 2010. To achieve this goal, our libraries must become a leading information center for the 21st century. And we must continue to provide access to a quality education for deserving students, including those returning to college while continuing to fulfill family obligations," said Jerry A. May, vice president for development and president of The Ohio State University Foundation. "We are extremely grateful to Susan Winter Ward and Marilyn Winter-Tamkin for embracing our vision and helping to make it a reality with their generous gift to support the libraries and Critical Difference for Women scholarships."

Originally built in 1913, the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library (also known as the Main Library) has served the university well for nearly 100 years, but it is now in serious need of renovation. The restoration/renovation process began in 2000 and is expected to take 8-10 years. Of total project costs, estimated at $99 million, Ohio State has raised approximately $11 million from private sources thus far-including the Cohen Foundation gift-and plans to raise another $19 million.

Critical Difference for Women (CDW) was developed in 1986 to identify and fund, at an institutional level, the needs of women seeking advanced education and enhanced professional lives. In addition to re-entry scholarships-for non-traditional women students who have interrupted their education due to financial limitations and family obligations-CDW provides grants supporting research on gender and gender equity; professional development grants assisting women seeking career and scholarly advancement; and Women of Color Grants, available to full-time minority faculty and staff members.

"We wanted to do what we believe our parents would do if they had been able to determine the use of this gift themselves," Susan said, on a recent visit to campus. "They were both generously supportive of those who wanted to pursue their dreams and would have been proud to help to create a beautiful community space for students to gather and study. We wanted to perpetuate their pride in Ohio State and their belief in what it provides to students and the community."

"We were impressed by the stature and importance of the library, and also with Critical Difference for Women, the opportunities it offers women to better their lives, and the impact it has on not just students, but on their families, communities, and beyond," added Marilyn. "We hope that our gift will help both programs to have a real impact on the lives and education of Ohio State students."

Past gifts from the Cohen Foundation include support for scholarships and the Department of Athletics. The foundation's recent gift to Ohio State is part of Ohio State's ongoing fund-raising efforts in support of the Academic Plan.

* All namings are subject to approval by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees.