Battelle CEO will deliver summer commencement address

COLUMBUS – Carl F. Kohrt, president and CEO of Battelle, will be the speaker for summer quarter commencement on Aug. 29 at The Ohio State University.

Approximately 1,800 students will receive degrees at the ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

A distinguished businessman and scientist, Kohrt leads one of the premier technology development and commercialization companies in the world. Headquartered in Columbus, Battelle’s science and technology reach includes overseeing 16,000 staff members and $2.7 billion in annual research and development at more than 100 locations. It counts as its successes the development of the Xerox machine, pioneering work on the compact disc, and medical technology breakthroughs.

“Our summer graduates are extremely fortunate to have someone with Carl’s insights to deliver the address,” said President Karen Holbrook. “Ohio State couldn’t have a better partner than Battelle in terms of offering research opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students.”

As a major partner with the university, Battelle collaborates with Ohio State in a number of important ways. Teams from the two research organizations are working on several fronts to develop breakthrough technologies in the life sciences.

The relationship between Ohio State and Battelle also includes support for students and faculty. A 1975 grant from Battelle to Ohio State established the Battelle Endowment for Technology and Human Affairs (BETHA) program, which provides funding to support faculty projects designed to continue the examination and understanding of the impact of science and technology on individuals and society. In addition, Battelle awards merit-based scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in central Ohio who attend Ohio State and seven other area colleges and universities. Battelle Scholarships, which provide full in-state tuition for four years, are designed to encourage students to develop and keep their talents in the community.

A native of central Illinois, Kohrt joined Battelle in October 2001, after a distinguished 29-year career at Kodak. His work at Kodak was almost equally divided among research and development, global technical management, and international business. Before his retirement from Kodak as executive vice president, assistant chief operating officer, and chief technical officer, Kohrt and his wife, Lynne, lived in Hong Kong, where he led the first-ever acquisition of multiple Chinese State-Owned Enterprises by a foreign multinational corporation. China is now the second largest market for Kodak products.

Kohrt earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Furman University, a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Chicago, and a master’s degree in management science from MIT. He served as a National Science Foundation, Graduate and Post-doctoral Fellow at the James Franck Institute, a Woodrow Wilson Fellow (Honorary), and a Sloan Fellow.

Kohrt serves on numerous business and civic organizations, including-Board of Directors of Scram Technologies, Inc.; Pharos, LLC; Battelle for Kids; Project GRAD-Columbus; COSI Columbus; Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC; UT-Battelle, LLC; Furman University Board of Trustees; Ohio Business Roundtable; and Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Kohrt volunteers his time and expertise to the university. He is a member of the Fisher College of Business Advisory Board, and has acted as a judge in the annual MBA competition. He is also a member of the OSU Medical Center Strategic Planning Group, and the 17-member committee searching for a new university vice president for research.

Complete Commencement information

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