Looking back, looking forward PRESIDENT’S

Dear OHIO Alumni,

As another academic year comes to a close, we have much to reflect upon and much to be proud of. With every semester that comes and goes, the University welcomes new opportunities and student experiences to look forward to as we prepare to welcome a new class in the fall of 2023.

With the blooming of the spectacular cherry blossom trees on the Athens Campus comes a sense of hope and optimism for the future. Each year, as winter turns to spring, the once-barren trees seem to burst with color and energy. I love to walk down by the Hocking River and enjoy this sign of spring every year. Along with the trees, it’s always fulfilling to see so many other people also enjoying the vibrant scenery and our unique University community.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of our cherished partnership with Chubu University in Japan, which gifted these trees to OHIO. We are very proud of our historic partnership, and we are excited about future programs that will benefits our students, faculty,

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staff and alumni for years to come. I encourage you to read more about this partnership and our cherry blossom trees in this issue of Ohio Today

This year also marks 150 years since OHIO conferred a degree to our first female graduate, Margaret Boyd. A true trailblazer, Margaret brought important and lasting change to Ohio University, and you can read more about her and her legacy on page 42 of Ohio Today.

The look of our campuses has changed numerous times over the past 219 years, and we are once again in a new phase of change. For example, on our Athens Campus we are finalizing the new Russ Research Opportunity Center, and we recently opened Heritage Hall, the new Chemistry Building and the new Paw Print Park. Soon we will also be launching new facilities for research, teaching and housing. You can read more about these plans and see current campus photos throughout this issue of Ohio Today.

I have been at Ohio University since 1995, and I am immensely grateful that I found my way to this wonderful University and community. It has been a privilege to work with an incredible group of talented and dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to our students’ success.

I have seen Ohio University change the lives of countless students, and I have witnessed these same students becoming alumni and improving our world. We proudly provide a unique educational experience for our students, and much of that is due to the support of our alumni and friends of the University.

During my time at OHIO, I have seen the University evolve in many ways to meet the changing needs of our students and our community. And I am confident that, like the cherry blossoms, OHIO will continue to bloom and grow under the guidance and dedication of all of our faculty, staff and University leadership.

Proudly Forever OHIO,