OSU trustees meet, approve university matters - 03/03/06
COLUMBUS – Student scholarships and medical research are the primary beneficiaries of recent private giving to The Ohio State University. The university's Board of Trustees accepted 23 new endowed funds, totaling $4.46 million, at its March 3 meeting on the Columbus campus. The board also accepted 249 new research grants and contracts, totaling $16.6 million, awarded to the university during January.
In other business, the board approved a variety of personnel, fiscal and construction-related matters.
Named endowed funds
•The Warren G. and James M. Elliott Engineering Scholarship Fund, $3,256,164, provided by gifts from Dr. Warren G. Elliott (D.D.S., 1948) in memory of James M. Elliott (B.Ch.E., 1941) to provide need-based scholarships to students enrolled in the College of Engineering
•The Popat N. Patil Graduate Fellowship Fund in Pharmacology, $250,200, provided by a gift from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals to provide a graduate fellowship for a pharmacy student whose research emphasis is in pharmacology
•The Charles E. Waring Memorial Scholarship Fund, $111,111, provided by gifts from the estate of Geraldine Howald Waring to provide scholarship assistance to undergraduate or graduate students majoring in chemistry
•The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Prize Fund in Cardiovascular Sciences, $100,000, provided by a gift from Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein to provide an annual award to an international leader in the cardiovascular sciences as an honorarium
•The Wells Family Southeastern Ohio Scholarship Fund, $100,000, provided by gifts from Bill and Jackie Wells to provide a renewable scholarship to a third-year undergraduate student from Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Noble or Washington counties with a minimum GPA of 3.0
•Bill and Jackie Wells Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund, $100,000, provided by a gift from Bill and Jackie Wells to provide a grant-in-aid scholarship to an undergraduate student-athlete who is a member of the varsity baseball team
•The Thomas E. and Mary C. Kenworthy Medical Research Fund, $74,000, provided by gifts from Lt. Col. Barbara J. Kenworthy (B.S., 1946) in memory of her parents, Thomas E. and Mary C. Kenworthy, to support research relating to the prevention, treatment and cure of congestive heart failure
•Charlotte Lutzweiler Immke Medical Research Fund, $71,902, provided by gifts from Charlotte L. Immke in honor of Dr. Manuel Tzagournis to support researchers at the Medical Center conducting research mainly in the Tzagournis Medical Research Facility
•The Jacquelyn Wiley Wells Scholarship Fund, $47,413, provided by gifts from Bill and Jackie Wells to provide a renewable scholarship to a student enrolled at the Columbus, Lima or Marion campuses who graduated from Ada High School in Ada, Ohio
•The Anita Miller Post Memorial Scholarship Fund, $26,155, provided by gifts from Susan Hopkins in memory of her daughter, Anita Miller Post (B.S.Bus.Adm.-Accounting, 1990), to provide merit-based scholarships
•The Richard Harris Glanville Endowed Scholarship Fund in Optometry, $25,810, provided by gifts from Charles M. Glanville (O.D., 1968), Myrtle E. Glanville (B.S.Ed., 1938), Polly Schmid Glanville (B.S., 1965), Gayle R. Glanville, Jennifer Glanville Lasker (O.D., 1996) and many friends of the family in memory of Dr. Dick Glanville (O.D., 1938) and Dr. Rick Glanville (B.S.Opt., 1966) who practiced together in Akron
•The T. Davis Sydnor Endowed Scholarship Fund, $25,479, provided by gifts from T. Davis Sydnor, professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, to support scholarships for students enrolled in The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
•Ann Hoying Ahrns and Thomas Ahrns Engineering Scholarship Fund, $25,400, provided by gifts from Ann Hoying Ahrns (B.S.Food Tech., 1984) and Thomas Ahrns (B.S.M.E., 1986) to provide scholarships for students majoring in engineering
•The John G. Alexander Dean's Innovation Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from John G. Alexander (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1967) in honor of David W. Cole, professor emeritus in the Department of Finance, to be used as approved by the dean of The Max M. Fisher College of Business
•Mary Ann Arthur Herbaceous Ornamental Scholarship and Memorial Shade Garden Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from William E. Arthur (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1950; J.D., 1953) and children Ann Cook, Jane Roslovic and Geoffrey Arthur (J.D., 1990) to provide scholarship support for an undergraduate student majoring in landscape horticulture and to provide maintenance support for the Mary Ann Arthur Memorial Shade Garden at the OSU Chadwick Arboretum
•Michael and Binnie DiSabato Family Athletic Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Michael DiSabato (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1991; M.P.A., 1994) to provide a scholarship to a student-athlete who is a member of the varsity wrestling team
•Dale R. England Family Athletic Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from Dale R. England, Jr. in memory of Dale R. England, Sr. to provide a scholarship to an undergraduate student-athlete who is a member of the men's varsity swimming team with preference given to those pursuing a business degree from The Max M. Fisher College of Business
•The Hagop S. Mekhjian, M.D. Endowment Fund in Medicine, $25,000, provided by gifts from Thomas and Cynthia Pilot to support a visiting professorship position for a distinguished physician scientist to foster innovation in the College of Medicine for research in inflammatory bowel diseases
•The Neutron Man Memorial Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Debra L. McComb in memory of Orlas King, known as the Neutron Man, to be used equally by the marching band director and the head cheerleading coach
•The Jim and Nancy Patterson Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from James F. Patterson (B.S., 1964) and Nancy W. Patterson (B.S., 1963) to be used at the discretion of the vice president for Agricultural Administration and University Outreach and the executive dean for Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
•The Charles A. Penzone Student Internship Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Charles A. Penzone and Charles Penzone Inc. to support interns working in the Center for Entrepreneurship at The Max M. Fisher College of Business
•The Darrell J. Stutz Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Angela Wetherington Stutz and Kristen Elizabeth Stutz to provide scholarship support to an undergraduate student from Ohio in The Max M. Fisher College of Business
•The Simon P. Yotive Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from the Simon P. Yotive Revocable Trust for a fellowship in research in neurodegenerative diseases relative to Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, stroke and other brain injury/diseases and smoking/addictions
Change in description of named endowed funds
•Friends of WOSU Endowment Fund
•The Allen W. Hall Endowed Sports Dentistry Award Fund
•College of Medicine Dean's Administrative Seminar Fund
Change in name and description of named endowed funds
•The Drug Distribution and Public Policy Programs Fund is now the Dev Pathak Fellowship in Drug Distribution and Public Policy Fund
•The Bank One Fund for Student Excellence and Leadership is now the Chase Fund for Student Excellence and Leadership
Change in name and description of named endowed chair
•The Bank One Chair for Excellence in Corporate Strategy is now the Chase Chair for Excellence in Corporate Strategy
Personnel appointments
•Michael K. Racke has been named professor and holder of The Helen C. Kurtz Chair in Neurology in the College of Medicine, effective July 1, 2006. He is currently professor of neurology and the Center for Immunology and vice chair of neurology research at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
•Thomas L. Bean has been named chair of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, effective March 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010.
•Julia L. Higle has been named chair of the Department of Industrial, Welding and Systems Engineering, effective March 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010.
•Christopher C. Kaeding has been named interim chair of the Department of Orthopaedics, effective March 1, 2006, through June 30, 2006.
•Michael K. Racke has been named chair of the Department of Neurology, effective July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010.
Emeritus titles
•Thomas L. Bowman, associate professor emeritus at the Agricultural Technical Institute, effective July 1, 2006
•John D. Slates, instructor emeritus with the Ohio State University Extension, effective March 1, 2006
Appointment to Heart Hospital
•Ari Deshe of Bexley has been appointed as a citizen member of the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital Board for a first term, effective March 3, 2006, through March 2, 2009.
Appointment to University Hospital Board
•David P. Lauer of Dublin has been appointed as a citizen member of the University Hospital Board for a first term, effective March 3, 2006, through March 2, 2009.
Resolutions in memoriam
•Roy H. Bowen, professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre, who died on Jan. 2, 2006
•Elizabeth Brown, instructor emeritus in the Ohio State University Extension, who died on Nov. 8, 2005
•William E. Copeland, Sr., professor emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who died on Jan. 6, 2006
•Wen Lang Li, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology, who died on Jan. 1, 2006
Construction projects
The board authorized the university to enter into a feasibility study contract for the following project:
•Construction of a new Student Life Center on the Lima Campus. The study will include a site analysis, building plan options, a preliminary cost estimate of the preferred scheme and images to be used in fundraising. Estimated study cost is $90,000 to be provided by Lima Campus operating funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following project:
•Upgrades to the mechanical system, roof and elevators at 650 Ackerman Road. Estimated project cost is $2.18 million to be provided by property management funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following projects:
•Renovation of elevators in the 9th Avenue and 11th Avenue Parking Garages. Estimated project cost is $571,585 to be provided by Transportation and Parking funds.
•Repavement of the western portion of Taxiway A and improvement of a tie-down area at the University Airport. Estimated project cost is $1.14 million to be provided by College of Engineering development funds and a Federal Aviation Association grant.
•Rehabilitation of the parking lot and entrance drive at Blankenship Hall. Estimated project cost is $380,000 to be provided by Transportation and Parking funds.
•Pavement of the gravel Polo parking lot west of Cannon Drive. Estimated project cost is $1.85 million to be provided by Transportation and Parking funds.
•Upgrade of the electrical service to three South Campus high-rise residence halls – Smith, Steeb and Park Halls. Estimated project cost is $3.51 million to be provided by Student Affairs operating funds and university bond proceeds.
•Replacement of the overhead stage rigging equipment in Thurber Theater in the Drake Performance and Event Center. Estimated project cost is $420,000 to be provided by College of the Arts general funds.
The board authorized the university to increase a feasibility study contract for the following project:
•OSU Sports Medicine Program Expansion Planning and Programming Feasibility Study. Revised projected study cost is $95,000 to be provided by Athletics and University Hospital operating funds.
New Ph.D. program established
The board approved the establishment of a new Ph.D. degree program in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, effective upon approval by the Board of Regents. The program will respond to a national and international need for better understanding of the civilizations and languages of the Middle East, past and present.
Faculty rules amended
The board approved amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty relating to membership on the Ohio Union council.
Endowment totals reported
University Treasurer James L. Nichols told the board's Investments Committee that the university endowment stands at $1.946 billion as of Feb. 23, 2006, up from $1.726 billion as of June 30, 2005.
Deferred maintenance report heard Trustees heard a report from Melissa Bellini, associate vice president for facilities operations and development, on the university's deferred maintenance and renewal plan. Deferred maintenance has been reduced from $280 million in 2001 to the current balance of $256 million. A Comprehensive Capital Plan annual review will be conducted in the fall with a review of auxiliary maintenance and renewal plans, Bellini said.
Benchmarking report heard
The board heard reports outlining Ohio State's financial and academic progress in relation to nine benchmark institutions that are highly ranked academically and comparable to Ohio State in mission, size and configuration. Ohio State ranked 17.4 percent below the benchmark average in current funds revenue per student, but has been making steady progress since the early 1990s. Since the inception of the Academic Plan in 2000, the university has progressed in the number of faculty who are members of national academies, in improved faculty salaries, in total research expenditures and in academic reputation. A higher percentage of students have been retained each successive year, and the graduation rate continues to rise.
Student receives board recognition
Maria L. Finkelmeier, a junior from Liberty Township majoring in percussion performance in the School of Music, received the trustees' Student Recognition Award. In addition to being an active member of the School of Music's Undergraduate Music Council, she serves as a student representative on the school's Society of Alumni and Friends group and a program coordinator for Ohio State's Student-Alumni Council. The recipient of several scholarships and awards for her academic and musical abilities, Finkelmeier has toured the United States and Canada as a percussionist with several ensembles, symphonies and bands. She is also an Ohio State representative in the Greater Columbus Youth Percussion Ensemble.
Other reports
In addition, board members heard reports on several proposed land transfers, construction progress, honors undergraduate research, student wellness programs, academic programs and the quality of doctoral education.
