1216 Magazine, Issue 1 - Summer 2018

Summer 2018 Issue 1

1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University

A New Chapter Keeping the Flame: 2018–2023 Strategic Plan

contents features 2 A New Chapter Ohio Dominican University’s 16th president, Dr. Robert A. Gervasi, reflects on the University’s storied past and shares his bold vision for the future.

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7 Alumni Reunion Weekend More than 100 members of the University’s alumni family return home for a special spring reunion.

10 Keeping the Flame Ohio Dominican’s Board of Trustees endorses a five-year Strategic Plan, which identifies five areas of strategic focus and will serve ODU as a guidepost through 2023.

departments 5 Inaugural Remarks by Robert A. Gervasi, Ph.D. 6 A Community Reflects 8 Campus Happenings 11 Faculty Perspective 12 Student Points of View

Front cover: Dr. Robert and Jen Gervasi on ODU’s campus shortly following his announcement as the University’s 16 th president.

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1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University

1216 is published twice a year for alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff by Ohio Dominican University.

The mission of 1216 is to share with readers a focused publication that closely examines a particular topic or theme that is unique to each edition. It strives to engage readers, develop interest and provide a better understanding of how the University is helping students connect their passion with a greater purpose for their lives.

Magazine Staff Editor Tom Brockman Managing Editor Mark Cooper Design Monica Martin Contributors Michael Dougherty, Ph.D. Michelle Dougherty, Ph.D. Jacob Saliba ’18 Theresea Varrasso ’18 Mission Statement As a Catholic liberal arts university in the Dominican tradition, Ohio Dominican University is guided in its educational mission by the Dominican motto: to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation.

Ohio Dominican educates individuals committed to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth, who develop into lifelong learners, serving others in a global society. They in turn become ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.

Dear ODU Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the first issue of 1216 magazine, a new biannual publication from Ohio Dominican University’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations.

First, a word about the name we selected: 1216. As you know, 1216 is the year in which the Dominican Order was established, so we wanted the name of the publication to honor the heritage of our Founding Congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Peace. However, 1216 is also a place: a very special place in the hearts and minds of all of us who feel a connection to “1216 Sunbury Road,” a place where the search for truth becomes real, where friendships are forged, memories are made and lives are changed.

The editorial emphasis of each issue of 1216 will focus on a topic of interest to those who want to know more about the University, its people, programs and direction. The focal point of this inaugural issue is, fittingly, the Inauguration of Ohio Dominican’s 16th president, Dr. Robert Gervasi. You’ll find photos and a recap of the event, along with many community reflections about Dr. Gervasi’s influence on the campus since his arrival at ODU. We’ve also included a preview of the newly developed Strategic Plan, which builds on the theme President Gervasi selected for his Inaugural address: “Catching Fire.”

This issue also includes first-person perspectives from faculty and students with their thoughts about our new president and the state of the University.

Future issues will include similar first-person columns from faculty, students, alumni and others who may have a special take on the featured theme. Each edition will include a capsule with campus news you need to know, but we will strive to keep most of the editorial content focused on a single topic.

We developed this publication to provide alumni and friends of the University with a better understanding about what’s going on at 1216 Sunbury Road, and to share the voices of a wider variety of members of our campus community.

There are great things going on here that we want you to be aware of, so you can help us share the stories about this special place.

Best wishes for a restful, recharging summer.

Click here to send address changes and comments.

Ohio Dominican University was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Mark Cooper Vice President Advancement and External Relations

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A New Chapter Robert A. Gervasi, Ph.D. was officially installed as Ohio Dominican University’s 16th president during an Inauguration ceremony held on April 27, 2018 in Alumni Hall. Nearly 700 faculty, staff, students, alumni, Trustees, Dominican Sisters of Peace, delegates and friends attended the ceremony and participated in the campuswide celebration to commemorate this historic occasion in the life of the University.

The theme of the Inauguration, “Catching Fire,” was inspired by St. Catherine of Siena’s words from the fourteenth century, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

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Dr. Robert Gervasi delivering his remarks during his installation as president on April 27, 2018.

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An Inaugural Mass was held in Dr. Gervasi’s honor prior to the Inauguration ceremony.

The Inauguration was the centerpiece of a series of events to celebrate Dr. Gervasi’s installation as president.

The beginning of the celebration was marked by the University’s annual St. Catherine of Siena Lecture, “Catherine of Siena: Model of the Common Good,” presented by ODU associate professor of History Matthew Ponesse on April 26.

ODU’s historic Christ the King Chapel was filled for an Inaugural Mass on April 27. The Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, D.D., Ph.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, served as Mass Celebrant, with ODU’s Chaplain Fr. Paul Colloton, OSFS and Fr. Thomas Nairn, O.F.M. serving as Concelebrants.

Following the installation ceremony, the entire University community gathered for an All-Campus Reception in the Bishop James A. Griffin Student Center. The day’s activities concluded with a preview of the University’s 2018 Senior Art Exhibition in the Wehrle Gallery, which featured numerous works by senior Art, Art Education and Graphic Design majors.

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Outgoing Board Chair Thomas Mueller congratulates Dr. Gervasi after his installation as ODU’s 16th president.

Inaugural Remarks by Robert A. Gervasi, Ph.D. The following are excerpts from Dr. Gervasi’s remarks presented during the University’s Inauguration ceremony on April 27, 2018. Read or view his remarks in their entirety.

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I am humbled and honored to accept the great responsibility of this appointment as president of Ohio Dominican University. I’m also awed and reassured by the great passion for this University on the part of so many people.

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I—and I know all of us—have a deep gratitude and respect for the Dominican Sisters who first came to Somerset, in Perry County, Ohio in 1830 to found a boarding school for girls called St. Mary’s Convent and Academy. The commitment to education of those very early Sisters—Benvin and Angela Sansbury, among others, not to mention all the Sisters who followed—and their courage in challenging circumstances was nothing short of astonishing.

The Sisters’ achievement is even more astonishing in view of the social restrictions that women often faced, then as now. Nevertheless, they persisted.

And the persistence and passion of those early Sisters continues today, through all of us who have been inspired by their example.

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Fire, of course, is a part of our University’s emblem, and it is also embedded in St. Catherine’s most famous exhortation: “Be who God created you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

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Grace and peace and communion and love. Those are the transcendent values that anchor the four Dominican pillars on which our University stands— prayer, study, community and service.

Grace is the source of prayer. Peace is the necessary condition for study. Our sense of communion prompts us to work for the common good. And service of any kind has the most transformative impact when it is the expression of love.

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Ohio Dominican’s warm, inclusive, proactive culture, rooted in the Catholic, Dominican intellectual and spiritual tradition, especially the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and

service — that culture is the North Star that guides all considerations of strategy.

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Our University’s ongoing success in fulfilling its mission will depend on a careful yet bold embrace of both tradition and innovation. It will depend on many alumni and friends who, along with faculty, staff and students, catch the fire of this mission and are willing to feed those creative flames by contributing their time, talent and treasure to its success. And it will depend on our ongoing discernment together, in rapidly changing and challenging times, of what to hold on to, what to let go of, and what to move forward toward with confidence.

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In that spirit of discernment I’d like to close by sharing a poem written in 1968 by a Dominican Sister of St. Mary of the Springs—today the Dominican Sisters of Peace—on the 100th anniversary of the Sisters’ move from Somerset in Perry County to Columbus. The poet, Sr. Estelle Casalandra, taught English at Ohio Dominican for many years.

The poem is called, appropriately enough, “The One Hundredth Year.”

Customs are in-and-for time and place like April rain and mountain snow.

But in the evergreen here-and-now of meaning branches of custom wither and cease to grow.

The pruning of branches is an art like the making of a painting or a song: it cannot be too little or too much if the roots are to remain rooted and strong.

Those women who left Perry County’s green hills lived well this green secret a hundred years ago— that the many small nostalgias of the heart cannot all be kept, that some must sometime go.

Yielding with grace the thousand inconsequentials, they brought with them only the triangled essentials their daily bringing to the offertory of God’s people: the wheat of their will the wine of their love the incense of their vows These were their heritage, and these are ours still.

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Dr. Gervasi lends a hand during Move-In Day prior to fall semester 2017.

a Community

Reflects “Dr. Gervasi’s love for the Dominican values unites the ODU community. He continually searches for opportunities to strengthen the University’s commitment to service, community, study and prayer. His commitment to faculty, staff and students can be seen in his continued presence at University events, like athletic games, Mass and student programs.” – Carlene Clouse, Class of 2019

“Dr. Gervasi is a caring and passionate person, and he shows himself to be very genuine to students, faculty and staff. He carries himself with a sense of pride, confidence, and most of all, happiness – he is always wearing a smile.” – Shawn Moore, Class of 2020

“Dr. Gervasi is the kind of person who will generate enthusiasm, and people will follow him because he exhibits the characteristics of a leader. He took a lot of time letting me talk and share my ODU experience... he really listened.”

– Nick Rees ’80, President and CEO of The Buckeye Ranch

“Dr. Gervasi has brought with him an optimistic leadership style, refreshing energy, and a willingness to openly tackle challenges and celebrate successes. I am thankful Dr. Gervasi has joined the ODU family!” – Kelly Litt ’14, ODU Alumni Council

“Bob Gervasi is a mission-driven leader steeped in our Catholic and Dominican tradition, dedicated to excellence in academics, who also brings to his role as president keen business acumen. He wisely and regularly seeks counsel from ODU Trustees, faculty, staff, and students, and is a committed collaborator. To understand what motivates him, check out the license plates on his family vehicles: C-Truth and B-Peace!”

– Sr. Patricia A. Twohill, OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace

“Dr. Gervasi brings such great energy and enthusiasm to Ohio Dominican – it really has infused everything we do – inside and outside of the classroom.

His leadership will continue to move ODU forward as we help students become the very best versions of themselves.” – Natalie Kompa, MBA, Associate Professor of Public Relations

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“In his first year, Dr. Gervasi has refocused the Ohio Dominican community toward our core mission with his charismatic leadership. His boundless enthusiasm and energy are evident in each and every conversation he has with alumni, students, staff and community leaders. Along with the rest of the Alumni Council, I look forward to assisting Dr. Gervasi in accomplishing our clearly articulated short- and long-term goals ensuring a strong and healthy future for Ohio Dominican University.” – Valerie Peters Cardwell ’83, Chair of the ODU Alumni Council

“What stands out most to me about Dr. Gervasi is his willingness to serve others. His leadership style matches what we need at ODU—someone who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty building our University into the institution we all know it is capable of becoming. He is a model of servant leadership through his actions, humility and grace.” – Jim Strode, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sport Management

Alumni Reunion W ee k e n d 2 0 1 8 Ohio Dominican University’s Presidential Inauguration coincided with its 2018 Reunion Weekend, held April 27-29. More than 100 alumni returned to their alma mater to reconnect with classmates, rekindle friendships and recall cherished memories as students at Ohio Dominican. Unlike in years past when reunion was held during the summer, a spring reunion gave alumni an opportunity to witness ODU in full bloom, much the same as it was during their time as students.

Alumnae from the Class of 1968 were recognized during a reception in honor of their 50th reunion, and were inducted into the Golden Flame Society.

Reunion also afforded an opportunity to recognize individual alumnae for their outstanding and profoundly important contributions to ODU and the community. Mira R. Wright ’78, Sister Margie Davis, OP ’72, and Reta Clemans Holden ’65 received the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards during a banquet held in their honor on April 28. The Distinguished Alumni Awards were established in 1980 in recognition of an alumna or alumnus who, in accordance of the University Mission Statement, “demonstrates a commitment to serving others in a global society as an ethical and effective leader; and are grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.”

Reunion weekend was a fitting time to honor ODU’s venerable past and celebrate its exciting future under the leadership of Dr. Gervasi.

2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients: Reta Clemans Holden ’65, Mira R. Wright ’78 and Sister Margie Davis, OP ’72.

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Campus Happenings In addition to the Presidential Inauguration, the 2017-2018 academic year was full of enthusiasm, excitement and positive momentum, propelling ODU toward another successful year in the life of the University.

Higher Learning Commission Completes Reaccreditation Visit Ohio Dominican hosted a team of peer reviewers from the Higher Learning Commission on March 26 & 27.

This visit takes place once every ten years and is part of the HLC’s reaccreditation process. Faculty and staff from ODU spent several years preparing an assurance argument that was submitted prior to the visit. The team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of ODU to ensure it meets the Criteria for Accreditation, is pursuing institutional improvement, and complies with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Ohio Dominican is currently awaiting the final report from this year’s visit. The University will be evaluated again in ten years.

More Than 200 Graduate during Spring Commencement Spring Commencement was celebrated on May 12 in Alumni Hall. ODU Board of Trustees member Ann Gallagher delivered the keynote address. In addition to awarding more than 200 student degrees, ODU conferred the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa upon Board of Trustees member Sister Janice Bachman, OP, and Board chair Thomas Mueller. Both Bachman and Mueller recently completed their terms on the Board.

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Smart Columbus Deploys Over $3.6 Million in Mobile Solar Technology on Campus The campus is now home to millions of dollars’ worth of mobile solar technology thanks to a partnership with Smart Columbus and DC Solar Freedom. Twenty-four solar energy products, including Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, light towers, power stations and generators—together valued at more than $3.6 million—have been deployed on campus to help improve campus safety and mobility without adding demand on the city’s power grid. The technology was unveiled at a ceremony on Sept. 6, 2017 at ODU that was attended by dignitaries, including Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and City Council President Shannon Hardin. At the ceremony, Dr. Gervasi said “We are a Catholic Dominican university, and so we are called to preserve and protect God’s creation.

This initiative is a clear demonstration to our campus community as well as the greater Columbus community of ODU’s commitment to be good and faithful stewards of the planet.”

Work Begins to Restore Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, OP Theatre Work has begun on the second phase of a $1-million theater renovation to restore the historic Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, OP Theatre. Scaffolding has been installed as crews restore the theater’s plaster and woodwork, paint its walls, and make other critical repairs and updates during the summer break.

Completion of phase two is anticipated in December 2018. The University is still raising funds to complete phase three of the theater renovation, which will be the replacement of carpet and seats in the historic venue.

ODU welcomes anyone who desires to contribute.

Tuition, Room & Board Frozen for 2018-19 For the second consecutive year, Ohio Dominican will freeze its tuition, room and board rates for the 2018-19 academic year. The move was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 8, 2017. Tuition for students in ODU’s undergraduate, graduate and adult and continuing education programs will remain at its current rate. Approximately 99 percent of ODU’s full-time undergraduate students received some form of financial assistance in 2017-18.

Top Military Friendly Small School in Ohio For the ninth consecutive year, Victory Media has named Ohio Dominican University a Military Friendly School. The organization also has named Ohio Dominican a Top 10 Gold school, ranking ODU the best in Ohio among private colleges and universities with fewer than 10,000 students. ODU is also ranked fifth in the United States. The 2018 Military Friendly Schools list recognizes colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military members, veterans and spouses as students.

In April 2018, ODU signed an agreement with the Catholic War Veterans of America to encourage Catholic veterans and active duty military to pursue a college degree. And this fall, ODU’s new “Salute to Service Scholarship” will be available to current military service members, veterans and military education benefits-eligible dependents. ODU will cover up to $3,000 in tuition per semester that is not already covered by military education benefits, or other state and federal grants and scholarships.

Honors, Early Admission Programs Experience Record Participation More students participated in ODU’s Honors Program during the 2017-18 academic year than any year in the past decade. Of the 54 students in the program, 24 were incoming freshmen who achieved an average high school GPA of 3.89 and ACT of 27. Six first-year students received the Honors Distinction Scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition for up to four years. Ohio Dominican’s highly selective early acceptance programs also experienced record participation. Six students participated in the University’s Physician Assistant Early Assurance Program, and ten students participated in the ODU-to-OU Med School Early Assurance Program.

Banner Year for Panther Athletics Several Panther athletic teams had outstanding seasons.

The ODU baseball team had its best year since moving to NCAA Division II, advancing to the NCAA Regional Finals before bowing out to perennial national power Southern Indiana. The Panther softball team posted a 35-21 record, which included a school-record 19-game winning streak in March and April. The men’s basketball team made its first NCAA postseason appearance after capturing the G-MAC Tournament title, including an upset win at No. 11 Findlay. ODU’s women’s soccer team made it to the playoffs and won its first-ever NCAA postseason game. The Panther football team rallied from three losses to open the season to win seven games in a row and clinch the G-MAC title.

The Panther track and field program also experienced a first, as Justin Carroll became the first Ohio Dominican student-athlete ever to qualify for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held this year in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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“Keeping the Flame”

The Ohio Dominican University Strategic Plan: 2018-2023 At its meeting on May 18, 2018 the Ohio Dominican University Board of Trustees endorsed the University’s five-year Strategic Plan, “Keeping the Flame.” The Strategic Plan will serve ODU as a guidepost for the next five years.

For more than a century, Ohio Dominican University has been committed to providing students with an outstanding Catholic education, guided by our Dominican motto: “To contemplate Truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation.”

To preserve and build upon this cherished legacy, Ohio Dominican University has been engaged in a community-wide effort to develop a new Strategic Plan. The planning process began with the appointment of Dr. Robert Gervasi as president in 2017. The first strategic planning conversation took place at a University Assembly that August when members of the University community responded to a series of questions that identified a range of opportunities, priorities and concerns to inform the planning process.

Two task force teams were formed to develop concurrent lists of strategic priorities and market opportunities. Throughout the semester, the lists were combined and eventually reduced to the “Five Areas of Strategic Focus.” These areas include: ACADEMICS: To maintain and build upon ODU’s tradition of academic excellence STUDENTS: To be an exemplar of a student-centered campus COMMUNITY: To strengthen Ohio Dominican University’s position as a valuable and engaged community asset MISSION DISTINCTIVENESS: To communicate clearly the qualities that distinguish ODU FINANCES: To strengthen ODU’s financial sustainability and stewardship of resources To further sharpen the plan’s focus, breakout sessions for each of the five areas were held before and after the Christmas holiday to begin identifying potential tactics for each strategic statement. Interested individuals from across the campus community – faculty, staff and students – offered their insights and perspectives throughout the process.

The result of this inclusive and collaborative process produced a Strategic Plan document, which included strategic statements and identified tactics that will be used to measure its success on each stated goal.

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Welcome, Dr. Gervasi Dr. Gervasi speaks with Blake Mathys Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, prior to ODU’s annual Owl Walk in fall 2017.

Two faculty members reflect on new beginnings

By Michael Dougherty, Ph.D., Sr. Ruth Caspar Chair in Philosophy & Michelle Dougherty, Ph.D., Instructor of English

As faculty members who have taught at Ohio Dominican since 2003 and 2004, we’ve witnessed many changes in leadership over the years. We began our time at ODU shortly after the retirement of Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP, whom many alumni and alumnae remember fondly. Mike’s first encounter with her was when she appeared unexpectedly at his office door, asking for help in tracking down a quote from St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Summa Theologiae.” Not knowing who she was, he asked her if she was a theology instructor. She was very gracious about his mistake!

We have a long tradition at ODU of presidents who value intellectual diversity and whose academic and professional backgrounds reflect wide interests.

Sr. Mary Andrew held a Ph.D. in Chemistry, but she clearly still showed an interest in theology and philosophy that continued late in life. President Bob Gervasi follows in this tradition of intellectual curiosity and strong engagement with the ODU community and the outside world. Not only does he possess strong business acumen, but he is conversant with Homer, Plato and Thucydides in ancient Greek. His dual background in business and liberal arts is a perfect fit for ODU, as the institution continues to excel in both the liberal arts and professional programs.

A noticeable characteristic of Bob and his wife, Jen, is their manifest desire to establish close ties to the ODU community and the greater Columbus community.

They seem to have taken to heart Aristotle’s observation

in the “Nicomachean Ethics” that distance impedes friendship. Bob and Jen have chosen to live on campus and to extend hospitality to members of the ODU family, and they frequently host social events at their house. Bob and Jen embody the ideal of the educated person Cardinal Newman describes in his “Idea of a University,” a text that Michelle discusses with first-year students in her interdisciplinary seminars. Like Newman’s educated person, the Gervasis are at home in any world, want to listen to and understand the community, know how to find common ground, and actively seek truth.

As faculty members, we appreciate Bob’s willingness to hear from faculty directly: he is a frequent presence at faculty meetings and invites questions and comments.

He recently led staff and faculty in the drafting of ODU’s new Strategic Plan. He speaks articulately about academic freedom and has held open meetings to discuss Catholic and Dominican mission and identity, all the while expressing appreciation for a diversity of perspectives.

In our personal experience, Bob and Jen have worked hard to learn about each person that they have met, so much so that they remembered the names of our three children – Thomas, Benedict and Cecilia – several weeks after we first mentioned them in casual conversation.

We hope that the ODU family of more than 16,000 alumni and alumnae will reach out to Bob and Jen, take time to get to know them, and welcome them to the community.

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Student Points of View

By Jacob Saliba Class of 2018

As a new graduate of Ohio Dominican University, it is easy to write about a person I admire. Since the beginning of Dr. Gervasi’s tenure as president, every exchange I’ve had with him has been the product of my enthusiasm for strong guidance and his recognition of that. Our conversations are highlighted with normal, refreshing language and questions, such as “how are you?” and “where will you be attending graduate school” and “please let me know if I can help.” These words, questions and phrases constitute arguably the most important component in good leadership: service.

Dr. Gervasi’s service to the University lives in more than just his words. He has unwaveringly opened his home and his family to the student body, faculty and staff. In fact, the first time I had the pleasure of meeting the president was at his home with his wife and son-in-law for an ice cream social, which was his idea.

For Dr. Gervasi, I would argue, it seems not to be about the luxuries associated with being the head of an institution, but more about the principle and the people. Ohio Dominican University is not a collection of buildings, a few residence halls, and a library. The University is a foundational idea which breathes life into a flourishing society. This essential idea begins in the president’s office, it begins with the president’s words, and it begins with the president’s service.

I have grown up here at Ohio Dominican, and I must give credit to my mentor, my teachers, and my friends. Along the way, I noticed how quickly a citadel of higher learning can turn on itself at the expense of the student. I have, however, also realized how quickly a university may start anew and rise to the occasion.

I now prepare to begin my graduate studies at Boston College, but I will continue to reflect fondly on my time at Ohio Dominican. If someone were to ask me, a student with a deeply vested interest in a school that has molded me into a strong Catholic and a committed student: “Do you trust ODU’s president?”

My answer is a resounding “Yes, I do.” My ability and enthusiasm to answer that question speaks to Dr. Gervasi’s service to my beloved alma mater.

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By Theresea Varrasso Class of 2018

Ohio Dominican embodies a tradition of excellence that is unmatched elsewhere. Its mission to educate young people—to guide its students to Truth—is demonstrated in its liberal arts foundation, Catholic and Dominican roots, and its history of continual service to the community. Through its mission, the institution transforms its students into well-educated thinkers, service-oriented leaders, and contributors to the common good.

I understand Ohio Dominican’s tradition of excellence because I am part of it; in fact, I am one of many students who have been transformed by it. In four years, Ohio Dominican has developed me into a strong academic and servant-leader with a mind guided by reason and a heart guided by a solid moral compass.

Most importantly, Ohio Dominican teaches its students to be active citizens who promote the common good; the University calls on its students to strive for personal fulfillment and for a better world. This lesson has guided me to pursue a life of public service through politics. At Ohio Dominican, students become who they are meant to be because of the institution’s profound mission and tradition.

President Gervasi, who just completed his freshman year at Ohio Dominican, already proves to exemplify the University’s tradition. He is guided by a well-educated mind, a virtuous character, and a truly Dominican spirit.

Since he is driven by these characteristics, he leads with them. President Gervasi leads with a service-based approach; he is here for the students. He and his wife, Jen, are also active on campus. They attend lectures, student events, and host bonfires at their home around the corner. The Gervasis have bonded with the students; the Gervasis are a part of our family. Through this bond and his already impressive accomplishments, President Gervasi demonstrates that he is here to work for and with the students to help transform them into who they are meant to be. He will work tirelessly to ensure Ohio Dominican’s mission will continue to thrive for years to come.

President Gervasi is now a part of Ohio Dominican’s tradition of excellence. We are excited to see how he contributes to it.

Soon-to-be alumni are all smiles at ODU’s 109 th Commencement on May 12, 2018.

1216 Sunbury Road Columbus, Ohio 43219