Research wins propel excellent year at Ohio State

The Ohio State University continues to reach new heights in dynamic research.

Grace Wang, executive vice president of research, innovation and knowledge, highlighted a successful year in research on Thursday during a Board of Trustees committee meeting. Highlights include:

Establishing Carmenton: Carmenton is the newly named innovation district on west campus, which will bring private, public and academic sectors together to help develop new technologies and bring solutions to market.

Supporting faculty: The 43 projects awarded President’s Research Excellence seed funding support Ohio State’s goals to attract more externally sponsored research funding and address complex societal challenges.

Creating milestones in technology commercialization: University researchers filed 331 U.S. patents and filed 363 invention disclosures in fiscal year 2022.

Building new businesses: Eleven new startups were launched in the fiscal year, contributing to a total of 95 operational Ohio State startups.

Scoring big interdisciplinary wins in strategic areas: Researchers are involved in impactful spaces, from several multimillion dollar National Science Foundation grants in advanced computing and communication to $26.5 million to test new bus technologies and $17 million from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Center for Maternal and Pediatric Drug Research.

“We have built tremendous momentum in the strategic areas that I just revealed,” Wang, who has been named president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, told board members. “We want to continue to nurture a campus-wide culture of innovation and entrepreneurship so that we can play a very significant role in Columbus, in central Ohio and in the state of Ohio and across the nation.”

At another committee meeting, board members heard about Ohio State’s successes in making progress toward sustainability goals. The university’s carbon emissions have fallen 30% since it adopted a plan to cut carbon emissions to zero by 2050, and Ohio State has taken other major steps to address other sustainability goals.

Trustees also approved pricing for next season’s football games, with some individual ticket prices for non-conference games as low as $39. Student tickets will remain at $34 per game, which is unchanged since the 2013 season. Trustees also approved an 8% increase of membership dues for the Ohio State University Golf Club.

The board also heard from three individuals who are survivors of sexual misconduct committed by former Ohio State physician Dr. Richard Strauss, who worked at the university from 1978-1998 and died in 2005.

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

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

• 19^th Avenue and Cockins vault tunnel repairs
  The project will maintain critical university infrastructure by designing and completing corrective action on the Cockins vault and the 19^th Avenue tunnel section near McPherson Chemical Laboratory. Trustees approved professional services and construction with contingency totaling $4.4 million, to be paid for with university funds.
• Blackwell Pavilion
  The project will construct an all-season, enclosed pavilion on the existing plaza at the Blackwell Inn. Trustees approved an increase of $3 million in professional services and construction with contingency, to be paid for with fundraising and university funds.
• Campbell Hall renovation
  The project will renovate 115,000 square feet in Campbell Hall and replace existing building systems, the roof and windows. This specific request will go toward renovating 9,000 square feet of office and lab space in Evans Hall for Campbell Hall faculty to use during the renovation. Trustees approved an increase of $8.2 million in professional services and construction with contingency, to be paid for with fundraising, university funds and state funds.
• East Hospital dock expansion
  The project will add 6,000 square feet to the existing loading dock. Trustees approved an increase of $2.6 million in professional services and construction with contingency, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Equine Performance Evaluation Arena
  The project will construct a 12,000-square-foot arena for equine performance, connected to the Galbreath Equine Hospital. Trustees approved an increase of $1.8 million in professional services and construction with contingency, to be paid for with fundraising and university funds.
• Founders Hall enhancements at the Newark campus
  The project will upgrade the building mechanical systems and renovate classrooms and lab spaces. Trustees approved professional services and construction with contingency totaling $23.6 million, to be paid for with fundraising, university funds, state funds and partner funds.
• Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital
  The project will design and construct the new hospital. Trustees approved an increase totaling $85 million for professional services and construction with contingency, to be paid for with university debt, fundraising, auxiliary funds and partner funds.
• Cannon Drive relocation – phase 2
  The project will rebuild Cannon Drive between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive. Trustees approved an increase of $11.3 million for construction with contingency, to be paid for with university debt, partner funds and auxiliary funds.
• Doan Hall roof replacement
  The project will replace the roof as a three-year, three-phase project. Trustees approved $3.3 million for construction with contingency for pre-purchase of roofing materials, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Faculty personnel actions approved
The board approved the following appointments:

• Daniel Addison has been appointed associate professor (James Hay and Ruth Jansson Wilson Professorship in Cardiology Fund) in the College of Medicine from Nov. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Craig Bryan has been appointed professor (Trott Gebhardt Philips Endowed Professorship) in the College of Medicine from Dec. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Lisa Burris has been appointed assistant professor (Distinguished Assistant Professor of Engineering Inclusive Excellence) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Terri Ennis has been appointed professor-clinical (James W. Shocknessy Professorship of Law) in the Moritz College of Law from Nov. 18, 2022, through Nov. 18, 2027.
• Lisa Florman has been appointed professor (Vice Provost for the Arts) in the Office of Academic Affairs from Sept. 15, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Richard Gumina has been appointed associate professor (James W. Overstreet Chair in Cardiology) in the College of Medicine from Nov. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Ian Howat has been appointed professor (ENGIE-Axium Endowed Professorship) in the Office of Academic Affairs from Sept. 1, 2022, while serving as director of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center.
• Hasan Kwame Jeffries has been appointed associate professor (College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship 3) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Zhiqiang Lin has been appointed professor (Distinguished Professor of Engineering) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Brian Mittendorf has been appointed professor (H.P. Wolfe Chair in Accounting) in the Fisher College of Business from Aug. 15, 2023, through Aug. 14, 2028.
• Eduardo Reategui Pizarro has been appointed assistant professor (Distinguished Assistant Professor of Engineering Inclusive Excellence) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Jason Reece has been appointed associate professor (Vice Provost for Urban Research and Community Engagement) in the Office of Academic Affairs from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 30, 2027.
• Paul Rose has been appointed professor (J. Gilbert Reese Chair in Contract Law) in the Moritz College of Law from Nov. 18, 2022, through Nov. 18, 2027.
• Abhay Satoskar has been appointed professor (Research Endowed Chair in Pathology) in the College of Medicine from Oct. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Ryan Schmiesing has been appointed associate professor (Senior Vice Provost for External Engagement) in the Office of Academic Affairs from Aug. 15, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Arwa Shana’ah has been appointed associate professor-clinical (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professorship in the College of Medicine) in the College of Medicine from Dec. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Natasha Slesnick has been appointed professor (EHE Distinguished Professor) in the College of Education and Human Ecology from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027
• Mary Stromberger has been appointed professor, vice provost and dean for graduate education (ENGIE-Axium Endowed Dean’s Chair) in the Office of Academic Affairs from Aug. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Yu Su has been appointed assistant professor (Distinguished Assistant Professor of Engineering Inclusive Excellence) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Matthew Sullivan has been appointed professor (College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship 2) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug.15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Todd Thompson has been appointed professor (Allan H. Markowitz Endowed Chair in Astronomy) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2027.
• Richard Urman has been appointed professor and chair (Jay J. Jacoby M.D., Ph.D., Chair in Anesthesiology) in the College of Medicine from Oct. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Henry Wang has been appointed professor (The Ohio State University Emergency Medicine Endowed Research Chair) in the College of Medicine from Nov. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Jessica Winter has been appointed professor (Distinguished Professor of Engineering) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Shang-Tian (S.T.) Yang has been appointed professor (David H. George Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Yolanda Zepeda has been appointed interim vice provost for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the Office of Academic Affairs from Aug. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, or until a new vice provost is named.
• Hua Zhu has been appointed professor (Karl P. Klassen Chair of Thoracic Surgery) in the College of Medicine from Aug. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.

Reappointments

• David Brakke has been reappointed professor (Joe R. Engle Chair in the History of Christianity) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Brad Bushman has been reappointed professor (Margaret Hall and Robert Randall Rinehart Chair) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Sept. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
• Sara Butler has been reappointed professor (King George III Professorship in British History) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2021, through Aug. 14, 2026.
• Bruno Cabanes has been reappointed professor (Donald G. and Mary A. Dunn Chair in Modern Miliary History) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug.15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Matthew Goldish has been reappointed professor (Samuel and Esther Melton Chair of Jewish History and Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Pelagia-Irene Gouma has been reappointed professor (Edward Orton, Jr., Chair in Ceramic Engineering) in the College of Engineering from June 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Robert Holub has been reappointed professor and chair (Ohio Eminent Scholar in German) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Brian Joseph has been reappointed professor (Kenneth E. Naylor Professorship) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 20, 2027.
• Christopher Kochanek has been appointed professor (Ohio Eminent Scholar in Cosmology) in the College of Arts and Sciences from Aug. 15, 2022, through Aug.14, 2027.
• Phillip Popovich has been reappointed professor and chair (Ray W. Poppleton Research Designated Chair) in the College of Medicine from June 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.
• Abdollah Shafieezadeh has been reappointed associate professor (Abba G. Lichtenstein Professorship in Civil Engineering) in the College of Engineering from June 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
• Jami Shah has been reappointed professor (Honda Designated Professor in Engineering) in the College of Engineering from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
• Alexander Sparreboom has been reappointed professor (The Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research and Therapy) in the College of Medicine from Dec. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026.

The board also approved appointments and reappointments of department chairs, faculty professional leave arrangements and emeritus titles.

Resolutions in Memoriam announced

• Phyllis J. Bailey, associate professor emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology’s former School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, who died on Oct. 1, 2022, at age 96.
• Gary Walter Bauer, associate professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Jan. 10, 2022, at age 78.
• Jean Grover Bauman, instructor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 29, 2021, at age 84.
• Ella G. Copeland, associate professor emeritus, former director of the Library Learning Resource Center and head librarian at Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute, who died on Aug. 12, 2022, at age 84.
• Robert E. Cox, assistant professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Jan. 4, 2022, at age 81.
• Richard F. Hamilton, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on June 15, 2022, at age 92.
• Patricia J. Long, assistant professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Nov. 20, 2021, at age 90.
• Naurine R. McCormick, professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Oct. 18, 2021, at age 96.
• Gail McCutcheon, associate professor emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on May 8, 2022, at age 80.
• Edna M. Menke, associate professor emeritus in the College of Nursing, who died on July 30, 2022, at age 81.
• Ruskin Donald Moore, associate professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Nov. 17, 2021, at age 96.
• Robert F. “Bob” Rodgers, associate professor emeritus in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Aug. 12, 2022, at age 84.
• Elizabeth “Betty” Sawyers, associate professor emeritus in University Libraries, who died on July 23, 2022, at age 85.
• Juan Fernandez Sotos, professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine, who died on May 8, 2022, at age 94.
• William J. “Bill” Sullivan, associate professor emeritus in the Department of English on the Lima campus, who died on Oct. 9, 2022, at age 84.
• Charles A. “Chuck” Triplehorn, professor emeritus of entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Aug. 25, 2022, at age 94.
• Chester Winter, professor emeritus in the Department of Surgery and former Division Director of Urology in the College of Medicine, who died on May 3, 2022, at age 99.

Reports on low enrollment and duplicate programs approved
Trustees approved the reports that are required by state law for state institutions of higher education to evaluate courses and programs based on enrollments and duplication with other schools.

Revisions to the rules of the university faculty approved
The board approved amendments to the rules as approved by the University Senate. The amendment is for a rule that provides students, faculty and staff the opportunity to hold personal financial interests in University Technology Commercialization Companies while protecting the integrity of the university’s teaching, research and creative expression.

Amendment to Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2023 approved
Trustees approved an amendment to the Ohio State Energy Partners’ fiscal year 2023 plan to make capital improvements. The $4.63 million project is for West Stream Line and Condensate System Infrastructure.

Joint use agreement approved
The board authorized a joint use agreement between the university and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. The university was previously allocated $2.25 million in the state capital bill for use by the charity to partially fund design and construction of improvements and expansion.  

Personnel actions approved
The board approved the following appointments and contract amendments:

• Eric Anderman, appointment extension, interim dean and director of Ohio State at Mansfield, from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, or until a new dean is appointed

Compensation adjustments as of Dec. 1, 2022, for the following:

• Jessica Eveland, secretary, Board of Trustees
• Anne Garcia, senior vice president and general counsel, Office of Legal Affairs
• Elizabeth Parkinson, senior vice president, communications and marketing  
• Jeffrey Risinger, senior vice president for talent, culture and human resources

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Oct. 31, 2022, which includes the establishment of five endowed professorships: the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Professorship in the College of Medicine, the Endowed Professorship in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research, the Endowed Professorship in Gastroenterology Research, the Excellence in Research and Education Leadership Professorship in the College of Medicine, and the Trott Gebhardt Philips Endowed Professorship; 12 scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; two scholarships as part of the Joseph A. Alutto Global Leadership Initiative; and 12 additional named endowed funds; the revision of 10 named endowed funds; and the closure of two named endowed funds.

Board committee appointments ratified
The board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2023-24 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life
Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
Abigail S. Wexner
Elizabeth P. Kessler
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Michael Kiggin
Taylor Schwein
Susan E. Cole (faculty member)
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & Investment
Tom B. Mitevski, chair
James D. Klingbeil, vice chair
John W. Zeiger
Gary R. Heminger
Lewis Von Thaer
Michael Kiggin
Tanner R. Hunt
Amy Chronis
Kent M. Stahl
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance
Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
Michael Kiggin, vice chair
Alan A. Stockmeister
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Taylor Schwein
Amy Chronis
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities
Alexander R. Fischer, chair
Alan A. Stockmeister, vice chair
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Taylor Schwein
James D. Klingbeil
Robert H. Schottenstein
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships
Lewis Von Thaer, chair
Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
Alexander R. Fischer
Tanner R. Hunt
Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance
John W. Zeiger, chair
Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
Abigail S. Wexner
Alexander R. Fischer
Gary R. Heminger
Lewis Von Thaer
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Tom B. Mitevski
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center:
Leslie H. Wexner, chair
Abigail S. Wexner
Alan A. Stockmeister
John W. Zeiger
Gary R. Heminger
Tom B. Mitevski
Tanner R. Hunt
Stephen D. Steinour
Robert H. Schottenstein
W.G. Jurgensen
Cindy Hilsheimer
Amy Chronis
Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)
Kristina M. Johnson (ex officio, voting)
Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)
Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
Jay Anderson/Andrew Thomas (ex officio, voting)

Submission of audited consolidated financial statements (draft) to state auditor approved
The board authorized the draft audited consolidated financial statements to the Auditor of State. The university engages an outside auditing firm, currently KPMG, to audit its consolidated financial statements.

Bylaw amendments approved
The board approved revisions to the bylaws of the Ohio State board of trustees and the Wexner Medical Center’s board.

Creation of a master of geographic information science and technology degree program approved
Trustees approved the new program in the College of Arts and Sciences. The primary audiences for the program are current students wanting to pursue this field, current professionals who want to advance their career and military personnel.

Creation of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics approved
Trustees approved the establishment of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics in the College of Medicine.

Increase on the cap of clinical faculty in the College of Optometry approved
Trustees approved the College of Optometry’s request to adjust its cap on clinical faculty appointment types to 48% instead of no more than 40%. This enables the college to carry out its educational and clinical missions more effectively without relying excessively on associated faculty appointments.

Progress report on state affordability and efficiency task force approved
Trustees approved Ohio State’s fiscal year 2022 progress report on the Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency recommendations, which will be submitted to the Chancellor of Higher Education.

Revisions to the policy on purchasing and competitive bidding approved
The board approved updates to the university’s policy on purchasing and competitive bidding.

Naming of university spaces
The board approved the naming of the following university spaces in acknowledgment of donors:

• Classroom W2210 in the Schumaker Complex at 615 Irving Schottenstein Drive as the Susan and Rob Savage Leadership Development Room
• Multipurpose room 140B in the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building at 2548 Carmack Road as the Wampler Family Conference Room
• Group study space room 345 in Celeste Laboratory at 120 W. 18^th Ave. as the Professor Andrew Wojcicki (OSU 1966-2001) Group Study Space
• Dental suite room 125 in the Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic at 655 Vernon L. Tharp St. in honor of Alexis Jacobs
• The James Outpatient Care building at 2121 Kenny Road
• The James Outpatient Care garage at 2061 Kenny Road

Appointment to the Self-Insurance Board authorized
The board approved the appointment of Vincent Tammaro to the board with a term ending June 30, 2024.