OSU trustees approve academic, fiscal, other matters
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved the establishment of two new chaired professorships at its meeting Friday (12/6). The University Chair in Economics and the University Chair in Macroeconomics/Monetary Economics will use general university funds to support distinguished professors and scholars in the Department of Economics, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The board also approved the establishment of 18 new named endowed funds, totaling $1.45 million in private gifts to Ohio State, and three named designated professorships.
In other business, trustees accepted 232 research grants and contracts, totaling nearly $27 million, awarded to the university during October. They also approved a variety of personnel, academic, fiscal and construction matters.
Named designated professorships
• The John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Designated Professorship in Law, $37,500 per year for five years, provided by gifts made by Moritz College of Law alumni employed by Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease to support a professorship in the Moritz College of Law
• The Robert J. Nordstrom Designated Professorship in Law, $37,500 per year for five years, provided by gifts made by Moritz College of Law alumni employed by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur to support a professorship in the Moritz College of Law
• James G. (Jim) and Sue Oates Designated Professorship in Business, $187,500 over five years, provided by gifts from James G. (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1966) and Sue A. Oates of Gunnison, Colo., to support a faculty member in the Max M. Fisher College of Business
Named endowed funds
• The George, Elsa, and Louise Carroll Athletic Scholarship Fund, $250,000, established with gifts from William Carroll (B.S. Journalism, 1933) in honor and memory of his parents and wife to support student-athlete scholarships for members of the Ohio State varsity football team
• Gleason Gearing and Power Transmission Research Fund, $182,097, established with a gift from the Gleason Foundation of Rochester, N.Y. to support research related to gearing and power transmission in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
• The Eleanor L. Craig Scholarship Fund, $173,606, established with gifts from Eleanor L. Craig (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1934) to fund a scholarship for a student majoring in accounting
• The William M. and Darlene Aldrige Scholarship Fund in the College of Human Ecology, $150,000, established with gifts from the estate of Darlene Aldrige of Hillsboro and in memory of her husband, William (B.S.Agr., 1961) to provide scholarship support for students in the College of Human Ecology
• The Florence B. Andrews Endowment Fund, $150,000, established with gifts from Henry B. Andrews (B.S.Ed., 1966) of Berea to purchase books and reference material on English and American literature, library science and computer science for the Main Library
• The Victor King Thompson 1934, 1941 and Marianne Randall Thompson 1938 Scholarship Fund in the Knowlton School of Architecture, $82,589, established with a gift from Victor Thompson (B.F.A., 1934; B.Arch., 1941) and Marianne Thompson (B.A., 1938) of Portola Valley, Calif., to support a scholarship for an architecture student with financial need, strong academic performance and talent for design
• The Aschenbach Athletic Endowment Fund, $75,000, established with gifts from Douglas L. Aschenbach (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1981) of Columbus to supplement the student-athlete grant-in-aid scholarship costs for undergraduate members of the men’s gymnastic team
• The Aschenbach Diversity Endowment Fund, $75,000, established with a gift from Douglas L. Aschenbach (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1981) of Columbus to fund the recruitment efforts of The Ohio State University Marching Band
• The Lawrence J. Mervis, M.D. Endowed Fund in Neurosurgery, $70,000, established with gifts from the family in honor and in memory of Dr. Lawrence J. Mervis (B.S., 1958; M.D., 1962), clinical associate professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, to support research and teaching activities on malignant brain tumors
• William Edgerton Fillmore Fund for Excellence in Mechanical Engineering, $46,764, established with gifts from William Fillmore (B.M.E., 1936) of San Clemente, Calif., to support financing of activities and construction in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
• The Lyle Aloysius John Gassmann Memorial Award Fund in Optometry, $28,701, established with gifts from family, friends and classmates to provide an award to a graduating optometry student
• The Mynydd Teg Endowment Fund for Cancer Genetics Research, $25,391, established with a gift from the Teg Family Foundation of Granville to support cancer genetics research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
• The Cooper/Siedentop Scholarship Fund, $25,193, established with gifts from an anonymous alumna in honor of College of Education Professors John O. Cooper and Daryl L. Siedentop to provide dissertation support to students in the College of Education
• The Brett E. Lahman Scholarship Fund for Engineers, $25,153, established with gifts from family and friends of Lahman (B.S.I.S.E., 2000) to provide an annual scholarship to a third-year engineering student
• The Maurice “Mo” Mullet M.D. Medical Student/Alumni Forum Fund, $25,034, established with gifts from Maurice E. Mullet (M.D. 1963) of Berlin to support an education forum in the College of Medicine and Public Health
• The Joseph A. Alutto MBA Scholarship Fund, $25,000, established with gifts from Joseph A. Alutto of Columbus, dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business, to support scholarships for MBA students
• The Carl Kipp Jr. Paygro/Garick Endowed Scholarship Fund, $25,000, established with gifts from Paygro/Garick in honor of Carl Kipp Jr. (B.S.Agr. 1953) of South Charleston to provide scholarships for students in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• The Kourie Family Athletic Scholarship Fund Honoring Ryan Shockley, $25,000, established with gifts from Michael J. (B.A. 1974) and Kathryn M. (B.S. Phar., 1977) of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., to provide scholarships for undergraduate student-athletes on the varsity football team
Changes in name of endowed funds
• The Seubert Family Chadwick Arboretum Guest Lecturer Endowment Fund is now The Chadwick Arboretum Guest Lecturer Endowment
• The Mary E. Babcock Endowment Fund is now the Mary E. Babcock Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Change in description of named endowed fund
• The Raymond D. Hammond Chemical Engineering Scholarship Fund
Personnel appointments
• Daniel C. K. Chow has been named to the Robert J. Nordstrom Designated Professorship in Law in the Moritz College of Law, effective Dec. 6, 2002, through Nov. 30, 2007. Chow, who received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Yale University, joined the Ohio State law faculty in 1985. He teaches courses in international law, international transactions, jurisprudence, Asian law and property.
• Sharon L. Davies of BEXLEY has been named to the John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Designated Professorship in Law in the Moritz College of Law, effective Dec. 6, 2002, through Nov. 30, 2007. Davies received her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where she was an editor of the Columbia Law Review. She joined the Ohio State law faculty in 1995 and teaches courses in criminal law, criminal procedure (police practices) and evidence.
• Charis Eng has been named to the Klotz Chair in Cancer Research in the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, effective Dec. 1, 2002, through June 30, 2006. Eng received her M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and trained in clinical cancer genetics at Cambridge University before joining the medical faculty of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Medicine. An Ohio State faculty member since 1999, she is director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program at The James.
• David O. Frantz of UPPER ARLINGTON has been named secretary of the Board of Trustees, effective Dec. 6, 2002. Frantz holds a B.A. from Princeton University, an M.A. from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the Ohio State College of Humanities faculty in 1968 and has served as acting dean and associate dean for faculty affairs and research in the college. He will hold a concurrent position as professor of English.
• P. Chris Hammel has been named The Ohio Eminent Scholar in Experimental Materials Research in the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, effective Oct. 1, 2002. Prior to this appointment, he was a fellow at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, N.M. He earned his B.A. in physics from the University of California, San Diego, and his Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University. His research interests include magnetic resonance force microscopy and ultra-low temperature magnetic resonance.
• Alan C. Michaels has been named to The Edwin M. Cooperman Designated Professorship in Law in the Moritz College of Law, effective Dec. 1, 2002, through June 30, 2006. Michaels, associate dean for faculty in the law school, received his A.B. from Harvard University and his J.D. from Columbia Law School. He spent three years representing the Major League Baseball Players Association and served four years as a prosecutor in New York County before joining Ohio State in 1995.
• Mary E. O’Connell has been named to The Honorable William B. Saxbe Designated Professorship in Law in the Moritz College of Law, effective Dec. 1, 2002, through June 30, 2007. O’Connell, who holds a B.A. in history from Northwestern University, an M.Sc. in international relations from the London School of Economics, and LL.B. in international law from Cambridge University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, is also an associate of Ohio State’s Mershon Center for the Study of International Security and Public Policy.
• Allan J. Samansky, professor of law in the Moritz College of Law, has been designated to receive support from The Robert J. Watkins/Procter & Gamble Professorship Fund, effective Dec. 6, 2002, through Nov. 30, 2007. Samansky received his B.A. from Harvard University; his M.A. from the University of California at Berkeley; and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was an editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. He joined Ohio State’s law faculty in 1978, where he teaches courses on taxation and business planning.
• Barbara R. Snyder has been named interim vice president for university relations, effective Dec. 1, 2002. The Joanne W. Murphy/Class of 1965 Professor of law in the Moritz College of Law, Snyder has been serving as vice provost in Ohio State’s Office of Academic Affairs and will return to that position when the search for a new vice president in completed. She received her B.A. from Ohio State and her J.D. from the University of Chicago and joined Ohio State’s law faculty in 1988.
• Andreas F. von Recum has been named director of Ohio State’s Biomedical Engineering Center in the College of Engineering, effective Aug. 17, 2002, through Aug. 16, 2007. He holds a concurrent appointment as associate dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine. von Recum received his D.V.M. from the Free University of Berlin in Germany and a Ph.D. in veterinary surgery from Colorado State University. Most of his research career has been spent in biomaterials science and engineering with a special interest in the mechanisms of biocompatibility.
• Morton E. O’Kelly has been appointed chair of the Department of Geography in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, effective July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2007. He currently serves as associate dean of the college.
• Paul A. Beck of WORTHINGTON has been reappointed chair of the Department of Political Science in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, effective July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2007.
• Robert A. Fox of POWELL has been reappointed chair of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, effective July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2007.
• Maureen T. Sharkey of UPPER ARLINGTON has been promoted to associate secretary of the Board of Trustees, effective Dec. 6, 2002.
Resolutions in memoriam
• Herbert W. Crown, professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, who died on Nov. 17, 2002
• Edward F. Donovan, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, who died Oct. 15, 2002
Student receives board recognition
Courtney Howard of NORTH OLMSTED, an honors student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English, received the board’s Student Recognition Award. Last year, she was named the College of Humanities Outstanding Student and also received the Katherine Hall Prize for Leadership, Academic Achievement and Service. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Student-Alumni Council and Mortar Board Senior Class Honorary. She has served in various university governance roles, including the Elections Governance Board for the Undergraduate Student Government, the College of Humanities Dean’s Advisory Council and the NCAA Committee on Academic Integrity.
Mershon Center programs highlighted
Trustees heard a report on the university’s Mershon Center from Jerry R. Ladman, associate provost for international studies, and Richard Herrmann, director of the center. The Mershon Center promotes the study of international security in a global context. The center focuses on the use of force in military power, foreign and economic decisions as they relate to war and peace, culture and identity in national security, and how institutions and law manage conflict.
Surgery Learning Center named
Trustees approved naming a new learning facility in the College of Medicine and Public Health the “Lawrence Campbell Carey Learning Center,” in honor of Dr. Carey, who served as chair of the Department of Surgery from 1975 to 1985. The center in Means Hall, 1654 Upham Drive, is intended to enhance the transmission of medical research, the interaction of medical staff and students, access to the medical library and the internet, and the hosting of visiting lecturers and small professional conferences.
Optometry research clinic named
The board approved naming of a College of Optometry research clinic the “E.F. Wildermuth Optometric Research Clinic,” in honor of the E.F. Wildermuth Foundation, a long-time generous donor to the college. The clinic is in Fry Hall, 352 West 10th Ave.
Faculty rules amended
Trustees approved an amendment to the Rules of the University Faculty, rescinding the rule pertaining to the committee on university bookstores, which has been eliminated.
Construction projects authorized
Trustees authorized the employment of architectural/engineering firms for the following:
• Renovation of space in Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue, to consolidate office space for the Division of Infectious Diseases. Preliminary project cost is approximately $298,000 with design costs being funded by Health Sciences.
• Renovation of three rooms in the Biological Sciences Building, 484 West 12th Ave., to meet current standards for a biosafety level 3 containment facility. Preliminary project cost is approximately $298,000 with design costs being funded by the College of Biological Sciences.
Alternative retirement plan amended
The board authorized the senior vice president for business and finance, in consultation with Office of Human Resources and the Office of Legal Affairs, to make any necessary changes to the university’s Alternative Retirement Plan to bring it into compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and the Ohio Revised Code.
Insurance trust approved
Trustees approved the establishment of a new self-insurance trust to provide medical malpractice/liability coverage for faculty and staff who are involved in the delivery of clinical care and employed by Ohio State University Physicians, the OSU Health System, or the College of Medicine and Public Health.
University endowment continues to grow
University Treasurer James Nichols updated trustees on the university’s endowment, which stood at $900 million as of Nov. 30, an increase of $28 million since Oct. 31. Nichols stated that income distribution from the endowment has quadrupled over the past decade, and estimated income distribution for FY 2003 at $64 million.
Board accepts audit, hears financial report
The board accepted the audit of the university’s 2001-2002 financial statements conducted by Deloitte & Touche. The university’s overall financial health remains sound, William J. Shkurti, senior vice president of business and finance, told trustees. Ohio State is becoming less dependent on state support and is fostering a more entrepreneurial culture, which requires the university to take on and manage new risks. Budget restructuring is redirecting Ohio State’s financial resources to areas of greatest student demand and academic promise, as defined in the Academic Plan, Shkurti said. The OSU Health System projects continued growth, with anticipated increases in operating revenues and expenses in excess of $100 million. The university continues to face significant financial challenges, Shkurti said, including flat or declining levels of state instructional support and losses in investment income. Total net assets decreased $70 million, while expendable net assets increased $129 million for the university during FY 2002, and $20 million for the OSU Health System.
The board’s Fiscal Affairs Committee also heard the annual development report on the university’s fund-raising efforts.
