Another research record set for Ohio State

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Thursday lauded the latest research expenditure record set by the university.

The university’s annual research and development expenditures reached $1.449 billion in fiscal year 2023, which represents a 6% increase over the prior year’s expenditures of $1.36 billion.

The numbers, tracked by the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, in partnership with Ohio State’s colleges, measure the resources available to perform cutting-edge science and creative expression research.

“This is a year of firsts,” Peter Mohler, executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge, said during the Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships board committee meeting.

Mohler’s remarks came after Pierre Agostini, Ohio State’s new Nobel Laureate, spoke from France via Zoom. Agostini and fellow Buckeye physicist Lou DiMauro discussed the science that led to the esteemed award and heard from trustees excited to soon meet Agostini on campus.

“You are an inspiration to the entire Buckeye community,” said President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. 

Mohler also celebrated other firsts – the recently announced SOAR study and a first-in-the-country spectrometer that is expected to attract scientists from around the world.

Ohio State ranked 11th among all universities in research expenditures in the most recent National Science Foundation survey rankings, up one spot from the previous year. The university remained at 7th among public universities.

Federal expenditures totaled $694.7 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of 9% from the previous year.

Trustees also approved the naming of two spaces for the Wexner Medical Center’s Hospital Tower project that will open in 2026: the John F. Wolfe Lobby and the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads.

The namings recognize the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation, which this week announced a $50 million commitment to the tower. This amount is among the largest gifts ever made to the medical center.

The inpatient tower is the single largest facilities project undertaken at Ohio State. Philanthropic commitments like this Wolfe Foundation gift play a key role in speeding progress toward new treatments and teaching opportunities.

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Future Distinguished Service Award recipients named
The board approved awards for the following people:

• Michael and Leslie Bumgarner
• Natala Hart
• Stephen Mehallis
• Stanley and Joan Ross
• Virgil Strickler
• Lawrence Williamson, Jr.

Property transactions approved

• The board approved the sale of the following property:
• More than 26 acres at 2575 W. Dublin Granville Road in Columbus, situated north of the Don Scott Airport.
• More than 23 acres at 3455 W. Dublin Granville Road in Columbus, situated north of the Don Scott Airport.
• Units No. 101 to No. 126 at Riverwatch Tower at 364 W. Lane Ave. in Columbus.
• About a half-acre of property along Dover Road in Wayne County, Ohio.

The board approved the acquisition of the following property:

• About .27 acres at Oakwood Alley and Franciscan Way in Columbus.
• About .55 acres at 1781 Dover Road in Wooster.

The board approved a perpetual sanitary sewer easement of .561 acres at Woody Hayes Drive and Cannon Drive in Columbus.

Men’s basketball prices approved

The board authorized men’s basketball ticket prices for fiscal year 2025 and men’s basketball ticket price ranges for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Personnel actions approved

The board approved the following faculty appointments:

• Felix Chang has been appointed professor (Robert J. Watkins/Procter & Gamble Professorship in the College of Law) for a term running from Aug.15, 2024, through Aug.14, 2028.
• Marcelo Dapino has been appointed professor (Honda R&D Americas Designated Professorship) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2024.
• L. Camille Hébert has been appointed acting dean in the Michael E. Moritz College of Law for a term running from Feb. 1, 2024, until the dean returns or a new dean is hired.
• Jennifer Johnson has been appointed professor (Henry L. Cox Endowed Professorship) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2028.
• Blaise Kimmel has been appointed assistant professor (Umit S. Ozkan Professorship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Jan.1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027.
• Ching-Chang Ko has been appointed professor (Vig/Williams Endowed Chair in Orthodontics) in the College of Dentistry for a term running from Jan. 27, 2020, through Jan. 26, 2025.
• Heather Payne has been appointed professor (Carter C. Kissell Professorship in Law) in the College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2024, through Aug. 14, 2028.
• D. Blake Stringer has been appointed professor (The NetJets Designated Chair of Aviation Modernization) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027.
• Susan Tsai has been appointed professor (Dr. Arthur G. and Mildred C. James - Richard J. Solove Chair in Surgical Oncology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Jan. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028.
• Jeffrey Walline has been appointed acting dean in the College of Optometry for a term running from Jan.1, 2024, until Karla Zadnik returns to the role.
• Guo-Liang Wang has been appointed professor (Professorship in Plant Protection) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from Dec. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Karla Zadnik has been appointed interim executive vice president and provost in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term running from Jan. 1, 2024, until a new provost is appointed.

Reappointments

• Janet Box-Steffensmeier has been reappointed professor (Vernal G. Riffe Professorship in Government and Politics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
• Russell Fazio has been reappointed professor (The Harold E. Burtt Chair in Psychology) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug.15, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Maria Ignatieva has been reappointed professor (Martha W. Farmer Endowed Professorship in Theatre) at the Lima campus for a term running from July 1, 2023, through May 31, 2025.
• Jody Patterson has been reappointed associate professor (Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Endowed Chair of Art History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
• Carmen Winant has been reappointed associate professor (Roy Lichtenstein Chair of Studio Art) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 16, 2023, through Aug. 15, 2024
• Kay Wolf has been reappointed senior vice provost in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term running from Feb. 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024.

Trustees also approved the appointment and reappointment of chairpersons, faculty professional leaves and the awarding of emeritus titles.

Resolutions in Memoriam approved

• Joe Cochran, former operations manager and interim director of Secrest Arboreturn, who died on Oct. 22, 2023.
• David Alan Munn, emeritus faculty member in the Agricultural Technical Institute, who died on Nov. 19. 2023.
• John C. Rice, assistant professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 25, 2023.
• Keiko Komiya Samimy, professor emeritus of teaching English to speakers of other languages in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Nov. 25, 2023, at age 71.
• Steven Jay Schwartz, professor emeritus of food science and technology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Nov. 25, 2023.

Awarding of honorary degree approved
The board approved the awarding of a doctor of public service, honoris causa, to Elizabeth Lwanga-King.

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

• Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex: phase 2
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $4.3 million, to be paid for with university debt and funds, fundraising and state funds.
• Martha Morehouse facility improvements: SOAR MRI
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $8.8 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds, university funds and grant funds.
• Veterinary Medical Center PET/CT space renovation
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $4.5 million, to be paid for with fundraising.
• Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $165 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Waterman Multispecies Animal Learning Center
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $6.2 million, to be paid for with university debt, university funds, fundraising and state funds.
• Department of Economics relocation to Bricker Hall
  Construction contracts totaling $900,000, to be paid for with university funds.

Board committee appointments ratified
The board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2024-25 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life

• Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler
• Reginald A. Wilkinson
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Susan E. Cole (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & Investment

• Tomislav B. Mitevski, chair
• James D. Klingbeil, vice chair
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Amy Chronis
• Kent M. Stahl
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance

• Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
• Michael Kiggin, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities

• Alan A. Stockmeister, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• James D. Klingbeil
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

• Lewis Von Thaer, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance

• John W. Zeiger, chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center:

• Leslie H. Wexner, chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Juan Jose Perez
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Stephen D. Steinour
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Cindy Hilsheimer
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)
• Walter E. Carter (ex officio, voting)
• Karla Zadnik (ex officio, voting)
• Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
• John J. Warner (ex officio, voting)

Bylaw changes to board approved
Trustees approved amendments to the bylaws of the Board of Trustees. The last revisions were made on Nov. 17, 2022.

Amendment to annuity premium approved
Trustees approved the amendment and restatement of the university’s annuity premium benefit plan.

Rules of university faculty approved
Trustees approved updating the practice of making reasonable academic accommodations for students’ religious beliefs and practices in accordance with applicable law. The amendments were recommended by the University Senate.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved degrees and certificates for students who have completed the requirements, to be conferred on May 5, 2024.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Dec. 31, 2023, which includes the establishment of one endowed professorship: the Professorship in Cellular and Molecular Biology; one endowed chair fund: the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair Fund in the Social Psychology of Polarization and Misinformation; one endowed fellowship: The Joshi Graduate Fellowship; one designated chair: The NetJets Designated Chair of Aviation Modernization; 18 scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; one scholarship as part of the Joseph A. Alutto Global Leadership Initiative; one scholarship as part of the 100% TBDBITL Scholarship Endowment Initiative; 37 additional named endowed funds; the revision of 26 named endowed funds; and the closure of two named endowed funds.

Naming of university spaces approved
The board approved the naming of the following spaces:

• The Linda and Joe Chlapaty Terrace in the new Hospital Tower.
• The Lisa and Jeff Edwards Registration area in the new Hospital Tower.
• The David W. and Dorothy S. Case Resource Room in the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension building.
• The Thanks for Saving Fisher Dr. Carrie St. Clair Dr. Don Mann horse stall at the Ralph Rogan Equine Performance Evaluation Arena.

Internal spaces in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center:

• Jeri B. Block and Robert H. Schottenstein Forum
• OSU Physicians, Inc. Reading Room
• David Packo, MD OSUCOM ’89 Gallery
• Generous gift from the College of Medicine Class of 1976
• Generous gift from Carol R. Bradford, MD and David C. Bradford
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1995 in memory of Larry Semersky and Brett Gemlick, MD
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 2003
• Generous gift from the College of Medicine Class of 2013
• Generous gift from Dr. Gregory and Dianne Gerber
• Generous gift from donors in the College of Medicine Class of 1988

Internal spaces in the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex

• Mahle Classroom
• Nygren Lab
• David and Maxine Gerber Family Arena Corridor
• Bob Evans Farms Swine Observation Corridor
• The Patricia Kunz Brundige Learning Space
• Farm Credit Mid-America Learning Space
• Steven C. Scherff Memorial Staff Lounge
• Tarter Farm & Ranch Animal Holding Area