Ohio State to rename 17th Avenue in honor of John and Annie Glenn
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A street crossing through the heart of The Ohio State University’s academic core will bear a new name in honor of former Ohio Sen. John Glenn and his wife, Annie, a longtime advocate for people with communication disorders.
The Advancement Committee of the university’s Board of Trustees voted today to rename 17th Avenue to “Annie & John Glenn Avenue.” The full board will vote on the resolution Friday.
John and Annie Glenn were present for the historic vote and received a standing ovation.
“While this is a great honor, that’s not what is most important,” John Glenn told trustees Thursday. “Maybe some student will see the sign that’s named after us and realize a lot of things come down the road. With their experiences at Ohio State, they can make the most of those opportunities.”
The renaming applies to the stretch of 17th Avenue between Tuttle Park Place to the west and College Road to the east. The university will install new signage on Friday afternoon.
The Glenns have strong connections to Ohio State. Most recently, trustees established the John Glenn College of Public Affairs in January 2015. The college began as the John Glenn School of Public Policy in 2006 when the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy merged with the School of Public Policy and Management.
The institute was founded in 1999, when Glenn donated his papers and memorabilia to Ohio State. The materials document his career as a military aviator, NASA astronaut and businessman, as well as his service as a U.S. senator from 1975 to 1999.
Annie Glenn is an adjunct professor with Ohio State’s Speech Pathology Department. In 2009, the university awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Public Service to recognize her work on the behalf of children and others. The department awards the “Annie Glenn Leadership Award” annually to someone who has displayed innovative and inspirational work in speech/language pathology.
“There are few who better represent the intersection of service, learning and dedication to their community, their state and their country,” said Ohio State President Michael V. Drake. To the Glenns, Drake said, “Your love for each other and your passion for the country and our community is an inspiration, and everyone who walks, rides or drives through campus each day will be reminded of your remarkable contributions.”
