First Agostini Prize, a top Ohio State honor, awarded at trustees meeting

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Wednesday recognized an engineering scholar with the university’s newest and most prestigious award.

Trustees heard from Liang-Shih Fan, Distinguished University Professor and C. John Easton Professor in Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as he accepted the Pierre Agostini Prize. Fan’s research focuses on creating cleaner, more efficient ways to produce energy, fuels and chemicals while reducing pollution.

The prize is Ohio State’s most prestigious honor for scholarly and artistic achievement. It memorializes Pierre Agostini, professor emeritus of physics at Ohio State, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics with two of his colleagues, and highlights Ohio State’s commitment to the promotion of innovative and consequential research and creative expression. Agostini attended the ceremony.

The Agostini Prize is a celebration of Fan’s lifelong research. One of his most important innovations is a process called chemical looping, which allows fossil fuels, biomass or plastic wastes to be used for producing energy, fuels and chemicals without releasing harmful carbon dioxide into the air. Instead of burning fuel in the traditional way, his method uses special metal oxide particles to transfer oxygen, which helps generate energy while capturing the carbon dioxide before it escapes.

“We know that the work of our faculty changes and literally saves lives – we want to celebrate that accordingly,” Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said Friday during the full board of trustees meeting.

Just this week, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers announced the creation of a new Institute-level high honor, the L.-S. Fan Award for Advancing Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering, which recognizes “significant and new contributions to fundamental practice in chemical engineering.”

“The decision through my life to stay on at Ohio State is the best decision I have ever made,” said Fan, an Ohio State faculty member since 1978. “I feel the impact that can be produced at Ohio State.”

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following appointments:

• Aravind Chandrasekaren as interim dean of the Fisher College of Business for a term running from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
• W. Kimryn Rathmell as CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute for a term beginning May 27, 2025.
• Paula Song as dean of the College of Public Health for a term running from July 9, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
• Dukagjin Blakaj as professor (The Drs. Malati and Ganesh Potdar Professorship in Radiation Oncology-Proton Therapy) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Colleen Cebulla as professor (Dr. Paul A Weber Chair in Ophthalmology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from March 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Jeremy Fantl as professor (The Steve R. and Sarah E. O’Donnell Professorship in Philosophy) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Stephanie Gorka as associate professor (The Kaufmann Family Professorship for Breakthroughs in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Nina Vanessa Kraguljac as professor (Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Somashekar Krishna as professor-clinical (Endowed Professorship in Internal Medicine Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Amy Margolis as professor (S.T.A.R. Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Molly McNett as professor-clinical (Helene Fuld Health Trust Endowed Professorship for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare) in the College of Nursing for a term running from May 20, 2025, through May 20, 2030.
• Leah Pyter as associate professor (Doctor John D. and E. Olive Brumbaugh Chair in Brain Research and Teaching) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Feb. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Christian Rolfo as professor (Diane Nye and Michael Rayden Chair in Innovative Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Christo Sevov as associate Professor (ASC Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2030.
• Ambro Van Hoof as professor (Ohio Eminent Scholar in Molecular Genetics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.

Trustees approved reappointments for the following:

• Vishnu Srinivasan as vice president and chief investment officer in the Office of Business and Finance for a term running from May 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Sujit Basu as professor (The Jack C. Geer M.D. Professorship in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Nicole Bernal as professor (The American Electric Power Foundation Chair in Burn Care) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Trevor Brown as dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for a term starting June 30, 2028.
• William Carson III as professor (The John B. and Jane T. McCoy Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Pierre Giglio as associate professor-clinical (The Esther Dardinger Endowed Chair in Neuro-Oncology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Deliang Guo as professor (Urban and Shelley Meyer Professorship in Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Maria Ignatieva as professor (The Martha W. Farmer Endowed Professorship in Theatre) at the Ohio State Lima campus for a term running from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026.
• Wael Jarjour as professor (The Martha Morehouse Chair in Arthritis and Immunology Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ani Katchova as professor (The Farm Income Enhancement Endowed Chair in Agricultural Policy, Trade and Marketing) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029.
• Sorabh Khandelwal as professor (Samuel J. Kiehl III MD Chair in Emergency Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ryan King as divisional dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Ching-Chang Ko as professor (Vig/Williams Endowed Chair in Orthodontics) in the College of Dentistry for a term running from Jan. 27, 2025, through Aug.14, 2028.
• Susan Koletar as professor (Frank E. and Mary W. Pomerene Professorship in the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ryan Nash as professor (The Hagop S. Mekhjian MD Chair in Medical Ethics and Professionalism) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Anil Parwani as chair and professor (The Donald A. Senhauser, MD, Chair in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
• Kamal Pohar as associate professor (The Julius Skestos and Diana Skestos Chair in Urology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Matthew Ringel as chair and professor (The Ralph W. Kurtz Chair in Hormonology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
• Orlando Simonetti as professor (The John W. Wolfe Professorship in Cardiovascular Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Mytheli Sreenivas as chair and professor (Designated Professorship in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from March 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2028.
• Andrew Thomas as professor (The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Chief Clinical Officer Chair in the Wexner Medical Center) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Ingrid Werner as professor (The Martin and Andrew Murrer Professorship in Finance) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from March 1, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Hsin-Jung Joyce Wu as professor (Ronald L. Whisler MD Chair in Rheumatology and Immunology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Trustees also approved an extension for Karla Zadnik as dean of the College of Optometry for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Honorary degree awarded
Trustees approved an honorary doctor of public service degree to LeBron James, an Ohio native, professional basketball player and community leader. James visited the university virtually in February and spoke with a class in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs about his passion for bettering his community.

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

• Athletics technology modernization
  Professional services totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• North Towers building upgrades
  Professional services totaling $10 million, to be paid for with university debt.
• Tunnel rehabilitation, phase one
  Professional services totaling $1 million, to be paid for with university debt and funds, state funds and partner funds.
• Doan Hall sprinkler installation
  Professional services totaling $1.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Doan Hall SPECT CTs
  Professional services and construction totaling $4.6 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Outpatient East existing lot renovation
  Professional services and construction totaling $5.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds. 
• Outpatient East new west parking lot
  Professional services and construction totaling $7.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Schottenstein Center scoreboard replacement
  Professional services and construction totaling $5.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center
  Professional services and construction totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with university and partner funds.

2025-2026 academic year undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees approved
Trustees approved tuition and mandatory fees, non-residential and international surcharges, and room and board rates for undergraduate students at all campuses of Ohio State for the academic year 2025-2026.

2025-26 academic year graduate tuition and mandatory fees approved
Trustees approved tuition and mandatory fees, and non-residential surcharges for graduate students at all campuses of Ohio State for the academic year 2025-2026. Graduate and professional fees and student health plan were also approved.

Zollinger Road property purchase approved
Trustees approved the purchase of 5.070 acres at 1800 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington, Ohio. The property, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Upper Arlington, supports the university’s plan for strategic investment in outpatient services for neighboring communities.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved degrees and certificates to be conferred on May 4 and Aug. 3, 2025, to people who have completed the requirements.

Interim capital investment plan for fiscal year 2026 approved
Trustees approved the interim capital investment plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Ohio State Energy Partners utility system interim capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2026 approved
Trustees approved utility system life-cycle renovation, repair and replacement projects by Ohio State Energy Partners.

Digital textbook fees approved
The board approved digital textbook pass-through fees at all campuses for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Non-resident tuition waiver for Ohio State students who are veterans, military members, or their immediate families approved
Trustees approved waiving, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, all but $5 of the non-resident tuition surcharge for Ohio State students who are veterans or military members, with 90 days or more of honorable service in the United States uniformed services, and their immediate families that do not otherwise qualify for in-state tuition.

Waiver of tuition for Ohio State students who enroll in university-approved third-party provider or direct enrollment study abroad programs approved
The board approved waiving, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, tuition and fees for students enrolled in a third-party provider or direct enrollment study abroad program and to allow the students to remain enrolled at the university while participating in these programs. The university has received this waiver since fiscal year 2015.

Resolutions in Memoriam

• Frank E. Battocletti, who died on May 28, 2024, at age 90. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Electric and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering.
• Morris “Murray” Beja, who died on Feb. 6, 2025, at age 89. He was professor emeritus in the Department of English.
• Harding Ganz, who died recently at age 86. He was professor emeritus in the Department of History.
• Dennis R. Heldman, who died on April 3, 2025, at age 86. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Richard Kenneth Lindquist, who died on Sept. 16, 2024. He was a professor in the Department of Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• William J. Mitsch, who died on Feb. 12, 2025. He was Distinguished Professor of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. 
• Forest V. Muir, who died on Jan. 2, 2025, at age 85. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Charles F. Parker, who died on July 19, 2024, at age 89. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
• Robert Hall Wagoner II, who died on Jan. 28, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering.
• Gerald Winer, who died on Nov. 17, 2024, at age 83. He was professor emeritus of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Interim operating budget for fiscal year 2026 approved
The board approved the interim operating budget that will allow the university to continue to advance its academic and financial goals during the period from July 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2025.

Amendment to the rules of the university faculty approved
The board approved an amendment to the rules of the university faculty as approved by the University Senate. The amendment would modify salary recovery percentages for research faculty and allow them to engage in these additional required activities consistent with funding requirements.

Authorization for designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts, to designate depositories and to execute treasury- and insurance-related agreements 
The board approved designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts held in the name of Ohio State, to designate depositories and to execute treasury- and insurance-related agreements.

Reappointments to the Self-Insurance Board approved
Trustees approved the reappointment of two members of the Self-Insurance Board that oversees the University Self-Insurance Program:

• Cynthia A. Powell, CPA, term ending June 30, 2027
• D. Brent Mulgrew, term ending June 30, 2027

Issuance of general receipts, obligations and Multiyear Debt Issuance Program III approved
Trustees approved the program that authorizes the issuance and sale of general receipts obligations of the university in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400 million for the purposes of financing, on an interim or permanent basis, the costs of certain university capital improvement projects, refunding the outstanding principal amount of current obligations of the university and paying costs and expenses associated with the issuance of such debt, and authorization for amendments to the existing trust indenture and other documents as required.

Easements approved

• Trustees authorized to Columbia Gas of Ohio a perpetual natural gas transmission easement across university property located on 6.069 acres located along Ackerman Road and the northern border of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.
• The board authorized the Board of County Commissioners of Wayne County a perpetual roadway easement across university property located along Messner Road in Wooster, Ohio.
• Trustees also authorized the city of Columbus a perpetual sanitary sewer easement across 1.438 acres of university property located along Woody Hayes Drive.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of March 31, 2025, which includes: the establishment of one endowed chair: the Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; four endowed professorships: The Dr. Frederick H. Davidorf Honorary Professorship, the Margaret Bowers Hardymon Professorship in Surgery, the Honda Endowed Professorship in Automotive Manufacturing and The Drs. Malati and Ganesh Potdar Professorship in Radiation Oncology-Proton Therapy; six scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 35 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 13 named endowed funds.

Naming of spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The Meta STEM Instruction Innovation Hub, room A, in Ramseyer Hall
• The Gary (Class of 1962) And Helen Cole Office, room 105A, in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex
• The Lasko Family Home Team Locker Room, room 183, in the Lacrosse Stadium
• The Dr. Jack L. Beal Room, room R200A, in the Riffe Building
•  Two buildings in the Waterman Complex at Lane Avenue and Kenny Road:
  • Waterman – Dairy
  • Waterman – Multispecies Animal Learning Center
• Internal spaces in Waterman – Dairy:
  • Galton Dairy Display Hall
  • Specht and Deam Family Viewing Walkway
  • Dale and Betty Hedge Family Automated Milking System Room
• Internal spaces in Waterman – Multispecies Animal Learning Center:
  • Clifford and Dale Baughman Outreach & Engagement Center
  • Dave and Dorothy Case Terrace
• The renaming of Medical Center Drive (east of Westpark Street to West 10th Avenue) and the naming of Medical Center Drive East and Medical Center Drive West in the Wexner Medical Center.
• The renaming of Wexner Medical Center buildings from:
  • Inpatient Tower to University Hospital
  • James A. Rhodes Hall - University Hospital to University Hospital – Rhodes Hall
  • Charles Austin Doan Hall to University Hospital – Doan Hall
  • Brain and Spine Hospital to University Hospital – Pavilion

Updates to charters for the Internal Audit Department and the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance committee
Trustees approved the amended charters for the Internal Audit Department and Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance committee.

Amendments to retirement plans approved
The board approved the following amendments to various retirement plans:

• Fifth Amendment to The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan
• Fifth Amendment to The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan II
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University 403(b) Retirement Plan
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• First Amendment to The Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan
• Third Amendment to The Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan

Ratification of settlement agreement and amendments to cost allocation agreement approved
Trustees approved a settlement agreement and amendments to a cost allocation agreement regarding the Combined Heat and Power Plant.

Election of officers approved
Trustees approved the following slate of officers for the board of trustees:

• John W. Zeiger, chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair

Ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2025-2026 approved
Trustees approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2025-2026 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life
Reginald A. Wilkinson, chair 
Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler 
Jeff M.S. Kaplan 
Michael F. Kiggin 
Bradley R. Kastan 
Kendall C. Buchan 
Eric Bielefeld (faculty member) 
Stefanie Sanford 
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Athletics
Gary R. Heminger, chair
Michael F. Kiggin, vice chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Pierre Bigby
Bradley R. Kastan
George A. Skestos
Kendall C. Buchan
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Finance & Investment
Tomislav B. Mitevski, chair
Pierre Bigby, vice chair
Gary R. Heminger
Michael F. Kiggin
George A. Skestos
Amy Chronis
Kent M. Stahl
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance
Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
Bradley R. Kastan, vice chair
Michael F. Kiggin
Juan Jose Perez
Kendall C. Buchan
Amy Chronis
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities
Juan Jose Perez, chair
George A. Skestos, vice chair
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Pierre Bigby
Bradley R. Kastan
Kendall C. Buchan
Robert H. Schottenstein
Keith Myers
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships
Kara J. Trott, chair
Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Juan Jose Perez
Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance:
Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
Gary R. Heminger
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
Kara J. Trott 
John W. Zeiger (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center
Leslie H. Wexner, chair
Gary R. Heminger
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
George A. Skestos
Kara J. Trott
Robert H. Schottenstein
Stephen D. Steinour
Cindy Hilsheimer
Amy Chronis
Hiroyuki Fujita
John W. Zeiger (ex officio, voting)
Walter E. Carter Jr. (ex officio, voting)
Ravi V. Bellamkonda (ex officio, voting)
Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
John J. Warner (ex officio, voting)

Finance Committee, Wexner Medical Center
Stephen D. Steinour, chair
John W. Zeiger
Tomislav B. Mitevski
Juan Jose Perez
Pierre Bigby
George A. Skestos
Amy Chronis
John J. Warner|
Michael Papadakis

Quality & Professional Affairs Committee, Wexner Medical Center
Juan Jose Perez, chair
George A. Skestos
Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Michael Papadakis
John J. Warner
Eric Adkins
Doreen Agnese
Jay M. Anderson
Carol R. Bradford
Stacy A. Brethauer
David E. Cohn
Scott A. Holliday
Elizabeth Seely
Deana Sievert
Corrin Steinhauer
Andrew M. Thomas

Foundation Board Representative
Pierre Bigby

Alumni Board Representative
Elizabeth A. Harsh