OSU trustees accept funds, approve university-related matters
COLUMBUS – A new endowed fund at The Ohio State University will help women who have had to interrupt their education because of other responsibilities. The Ralph Irwin and Julia Winter Cohen Critical Difference for Women Re-Entry Scholarship Fund is among four endowed funds established Friday (10/4) by the university’s Board of Trustees. The income from the $851,000 gift will provide scholarships for women at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level who need financial support to re-enter the educational process. The gift from the A.B., Dolly and Ralph Cohen Foundation was designated by Susan Winter Ward and Marilyn Winter-Tamkin to preserve the memory of their mother and stepfather.
The board also accepted 286 new research grants and contracts totaling $33.5 million awarded to the university during August. In other business, trustees approved a variety of personnel, construction and fiscal matters.
Named endowed funds
In addition to the The Ralph Irwin and Julia Winter Cohen Critical Difference for Women Re-Entry Scholarship Fund, trustees accepted the following:
• The Frank S. Meszaros Memorial Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Gary V. Meszaros (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1972) of TOLEDO and Douglas J. Meszaros (B.I.E., 1971; M.B.A., 1979) of COLUMBUS to provide financial aid scholarships to incoming freshmen, with a preference to students interested in Hungarian culture and religion.
• The Manuel Tzagournis, M.D., and Madeline Tzagournis Medical Research Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Manuel Tzagournis, M.D. (B.S., 1956; M.D. cum laude, 1960; M.S., 1967) and Madeline Tzagournis (B.S. 1957) of COLUMBUS and other family members to support research in the College of Medicine and Public Health.
• The Gene Wittmeyer Vegetable Scholarship Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from the Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers’ Association and alumni and friends honoring Professor Emeritus Gene Wittmeyer (B.S. Agr., 1946) to support students in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Change in name and description of named endowed professorship/funds
• The William Ray Flesher Professorship in Educational Administration Fund is now The William Ray and Marie Adamson Flesher Professorship
• Thomas A. and John E. Hamrick Pickaway County Scholarship Fund is now the Thomas A. and John E. Hamrick Memorial Scholarship Fund for Pickaway County
• Secrest Arboretum Director’s Fund is now The Secrest Arboretum Founders Endowment Fund
• The Medical Research Facility Grant Fund is now The Huntington National Bank Medical Research Fund
Change in description of named endowed fund
• The Ted and Lois Cyphert Distinguished Professorship Fund in Teacher Education
• TBDBITL Scholarship Fund
• The John and Linda Mercer Scholarship Fund
Personnel appointments
• Martha A. Belury has been named associate professor and holder of The Carol S. Kennedy Professorship in Human Nutrition, effective Oct. 1, 2002, through Sept. 30, 2007. Prior to her appointment, she served as affiliate associate professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Washington and associate member of the Department of Molecular Medicine, Northwest Hospital, Seattle, Wash.
• Linda L. Harlow of UPPER ARLINGTON, associate dean of the College of Humanities and associate professor of French and Italian, has been named interim associate provost for Honors and Scholars in the Office of Academic Affairs, effective Oct. 1, 2002.
• Karen A. Holbrook of BEXLEY has been named professor in the Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology and Internal Medicine/Division of Dermatology in the College of Medicine and Public Health, effective Oct. 1, 2002. She holds a concurrent position as president of The Ohio State University.
• Thomas M. Rieland has been named general manager of WOSU Stations in the Office of University Relations, effective Nov. 12, 2002. He is currently director and general manager of the Center for Public Television and Radio at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• Larry S. Schlesinger has been named to The Samuel Saslaw Professorship in Infectious Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Public Health, effective Oct. 1, 2002, through June 30, 2006.
Reappointments
• Albert J. Davis of COLUMBUS (43202) has been reappointed chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Human Ecology, effective July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003.
• Russell M. Pitzer of UPPER ARLINGTON has been reappointed interim director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center.
• Ferdinand A. Geiger of UPPER ARLINGTON has been reappointed director of athletics and assistant vice president for student affairs, effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2006.
Emeritus title
• Jean T. Snook has been named professor emeritus in the Department of Human Nutrition, effective Oct. 1, 2002.
Resolution in memoriam
• Larry J. Peterson, clinical professor in the College of Dentistry (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), who died Aug. 7, 2002.
Amendment approved
Trustees approved an amendment to the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees outlining the duties of the assistant secretary of the board.
University Systems update offered
William Shkurti, senior vice president for finance, and Ilee Rhimes, chief information officer, reported to the board’s Finance Committee on the progress of the university’s major systems projects, which include Human Resources, the Financials Upgrade Project, the Grants Management System Project, the IMPACT system, the Student Information System Project, a university-wide business continuity plan and the strategic plan for information technology in support of the university’s Academic Plan. The seven major systems are in various stages of installation, upgrading or planning.
Construction projects approved
The board authorized the employment of architectural/engineering firms for the following:
• Design of a facility to house the Early Childhood Development Center at Weinland Park. The existing childhood laboratory housed in Campbell Hall will be relocated to this new facility with expanded services for additional infants, toddlers and preschool age children. Preliminary project cost estimate is $5 million to $10 million with the design costs being funded by the College of Human Ecology.
• Renovation of the Biological Sciences Building and construction of an additional mechanical room for the installation of a Bio-Containment Lab that meets Level 3 standards of the Centers for Disease Control. Preliminary project cost estimate is $1.8 million with design costs being funded by the College of Medicine and Public Health.
• Replacement of the eastern elevated walkways at Lincoln and Morrill Towers. Preliminary project cost estimate is $600,000 with design costs being funded by House Bill 748.
• Renovation of the elevated and at-grade walkways adjacent to Lincoln and Morrill Towers and the Drake Union pedestrian bridge crossing the Olentangy River. Preliminary project cost estimate in $350,000 with the design costs being funded by House Bill 748.
The board also authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following:
• Demolition of the existing bridges over the Olentangy River and Olentangy River Road and replacement with new bridges and installation of a high-pressure steam line under the bridge structure connected to existing lines. Total estimated project cost is $9.9 million with funding provided by future university bond proceeds.
Property sale authorized
Trustees authorized the university to sell 50,000 square feet of improved property known as the Busch Boulevard Centre, a retail shopping center in northwest Columbus. The property is appraised at $2.25 million and will be sold to S.L. Yassenoff of Columbus for $2.3 million. Net proceeds will be reinvested in the university’s endowment. The sale is part of the university’s liquidation of certain real estate holdings held by the endowment as a matter of routine review and improvement of its portfolio.
Competitive bidding waivers accepted
The board accepted the quarterly report on waivers of competitive bidding requirements, which are granted in the event of an emergency, when a sufficient economic reason exists or when the goods or services can be purchased from only a single source. During the period of April to June 2002, the senior vice president for business and finance granted 76 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $13 million and the vice president for health services granted 31 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $8.5 million.
Study Abroad Program is growing
John Greisberger, director of the Office of International Education, updated trustees on the university’s five-year plan for its Study Abroad Program. In 2001-2002, about 1,300 students studied abroad. The Office of International Education currently has 120 programs in 50 countries for students. As a part of the five-year plan, which will end in 2005, Greisberger said the office is working to double the amount of financial assistance for students, to raise the number of study abroad programs to 150 and to increase the number of resident faculty directors.
Board names poet laureate
In a surprise move, the board approved a resolution honoring David Citino, professor of English and author of 12 books of poetry, naming him Ohio State’s poet laureate. Citino, a resident of UPPER ARLINGTON, read a poem at the trustees’ meeting that he composed for new university President Karen Holbrook’s first day on campus. Citino has also read his poems to university audiences as the Winter 2000 commencement speaker and following the Sept. 11 tragedy.
Main library renovation plans outlined
Joseph J. Branin, director of University Libraries, told the board about plans for the renovation and reconstruction of the William Oxley Thompson Library, the university’s main library located at the head of The Oval. Built in 1913, with additions in the 1950s and 1970s, the structure is on track for an eight-year, $75 million to $125 million facelift and modernization. The project will be financed by a major fund-raising campaign, now underway, and state capital funding.
