This Impact Report highlights what can happen when we work together with you to make our students and campus thrive! It is partnerships like this that lend strength during transformational times and build foundations that will enable success well into the future.
Evidence of “How Firm Thy Friendship” was all around us as Ohio State Marion geared back up toward “normalcy” this past year. As students returned to in-person, on campus classes, reengaged in student life activities, and community events were again hosted on campus in safe and healthy ways, our friendships and culture of caring were elevated.
Ohio State Marion is proud to pursue its land grant mission of providing an affordable and accessible opportunity for all students to achieve their personal academic goals and to move themselves, their families, and their communities forward. The level of academic excellence represented by our faculty and staff, and their concern for the academic and personal growth of students, characterize this campus. And the potential for students to achieve their academic goals is supported by the philanthropic spirit of those who choose to make a positive difference in the lives of others and pay it forward.
Dr. Gregory Rose
Through generous gifts to building renovation campaigns, scholarships, and student opportunity funds, we are bringing to our regional campus students the depth and breadth of a world renown education. For example, we are anticipating our Phase 2 renovation of the Alber Student Center this summer which will include the gymnasium, locker rooms, and an outdoor patio for dining and gathering. Each of these elements lean toward our focus on connecting and engaging students with one another and building lifelong friendships.
This Impact Report celebrates all that is possible when philanthropy meets a student experience cultivated by dedicated faculty and staff. As we consider our friendships on campus, we automatically think of the wonderful relationships we have with donors who generously give to help students achieve a superior college degree. Through your support, students’ lives are enriched, leading to ends we may never know. With grateful hearts, Ohio State Marion students, faculty, and staff extend thanks to our donors.
Gregory S. Rose, Dean & Director
The Ohio State University at Marion
Ohio State Marion welcomes the opportunities and challenges posed by its dual role of being an open access campus within a tier-one research university. Our hope is that successful implementation of The Ohio State Marion 3.0 Strategic Plan will increase the number of Ohioans with bachelor’s degrees, and that it will assist in bringing higher education opportunities to a broader range of citizens, not only in our traditional service areas, but throughout Ohio and beyond. In developing this plan, we identified four strategic focus areas:
As part of our focus on student achievement and leadership, we will develop new innovative programs including a Global Education for Citizenship program, a CYE (Culminating Years Experience) Program, and a Community of Scholars program.
Succeeding in the area of student achievement and leadership starts with a close examination of how we can provide a campus environment that is conducive to our students’ needs. To this effect, over the next five years, we plan on placing particular attention on our infrastructure and services.
Ohio State Marion is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus culture that empowers all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and our communities to thrive and contribute in meaningful ways to an increasingly diverse world.
Ohio State Marion is committed to increasing the sustainability of campus operations and the environmental consciousness of our faculty, staff, students, and communities. Recent developments such as designing our Science and Engineering Building to be energy efficient, installing several electric vehicle charging stations, and upgrading our outdoor lighting with LEDs, are examples of this commitment.
The Ohio State University at Marion recently inducted seven members into its Alumni Hall of Fame during an inaugural ceremony held Thursday, November 3, at 6 p.m. in Maynard Hall’s Guthery Community Room. The awards program honored outstanding alumni who have contributed significantly to their profession, the campus, and the community.
The event, which was initially planned for spring of 2020, was postponed for twoyears due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event encompassed 3 years of inductees and was attended by family, friends, campus faculty and staff, as well as university dignitaries. President and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Molly Ranz-Calhoun served as guest speaker for the evening’s event.
Congratulations to our inductees: 2022 inductee Dr. Heidi Ries, 2021 inductee Roger George, and our first group of inductees in 2020: Larry Cline (postumously), Gary Sims, Dr. Russell Tuttle, Dr. Andrew M. Vick, and Dr. Deidre Radosevich. For a short bio on each inductee as well as information about the Alumni Hall of Fame visit: https://osumarion.osu.edu/alumni-initiatives/alumni-hof.html
Ohio State Marion Dean & Director, Gregory S. Rose recently shared the news that a second round of construction bids for Alber Student Center renovations were successful, meaning the campus anticipates phase 2 construction on the facility taking place summer of 2023.
According to Rose, when the campus went to bid last year for Phase 2, the proposed costs from construction companies were so far above the capital funding available that the project could not be awarded. Since then, the architects and the local committee working with them have worked hard to make some changes to the project to get the estimated costs to align with the funding available. Changes to the project include some reductions in scope but also shifting some desired items into alternates which could be accepted or not depending upon the costs proposed for constructing the base project. Even better news is that all 4 alternates can be accepted.
Included in the project and alternates will be renovations to the restrooms, partial renovation to the locker rooms (providing separated showers within each room), a large meeting room/workroom for student organizations (with window), an improved “storefront” for the food pantry, refinishing the walls throughout the building to match the changes in Phase 1, completing the transition to LED lighting, and two additional offices.
1.) The university provided a $200K infusion of funds into the project to build a patio outside the café where students can eat and gather
2.) An energized group of community volunteers are leading a development campaign aimed at raising $250K for the alternate that will renovate and name the gym for Greg Swepston, a highly regarded Marion area sports coach and mentor, who passed away at the start of Covid. The gym renovation will include a window on the north side, glass entry doors, repainting, relighting, new sound insulation, and a refinished gym floor.
Pictured above: an artist rendering birds eye view of the student center outdoor plaza that is part of phase 2 Alber Student Center renovations scheduled to begin Summer 2023.
Pictured above: this artist rendering shows from above where the new outdoor plaza will be located with access off the east face of the new Marion Café in the Alber Student Center.
The history of the Marion County Courthouse came alive for a group of students from The Ohio State University at Marion when they toured the building October 19th to learn about its former glory and gauge interest in a potential internship program.
On the tour, led by Marion County Court of Common Pleas Judge Warren T. Edwards, the class of Ohio State Marion history majors were captivated by much of the building’s history. Students were especially excited by the hidden vault of documents discovered by Judge Edwards that still is primarily untouched, according to Ohio State Marion Associate Professor of History, Dr. Margaret Sumner. “A lot of students were struck, obviously, with this hidden vault,” Sumner said. Plans are underway for Ohio State Marion students to help the judge organize and preserve these important historical sources, she explained.
History majors get unprecedented access to Marion County’s past
“This opportunity was impactful for my personal growth, as it built a sense of independence and inspired a passion for adventure. I have come to learn that the best teacher is experience and therefore I want to embark on many journeys that will teach lessons and shape my character. I would absolutely encourage others to apply for this fund because it allows you to engage in life-changing activities that you may never have the chance to do on your own. There is so much in this world to explore, including food, cultures, sites and more,” said Yirenki.
Donated by Ohio State Marion Senior Lecturer of English Pete Dully, the Student Opportunity Development award broadens students’ engagement with the world outside central Ohio by providing the chance to pursue unusual and adventuresome activities outside the classroom that would not otherwise be accessible.
Social work major Joyce Yirenki from Westerville, Ohio was recently awarded funds from Ohio State Marion’s Student Opportunity Development Fund and used those funds for a an amazing trip to Chicago.The new Foster Family Scholarship for primary education provides support to third and fourth-year Ohio State undergrads studying primary education or the equivalent at one of Ohio State’s regional campuses in Marion, Lima, Mansfield, or Newark.
The Foster family has a long history of supporting early childhood education and literacy initiatives. Their incredible generosity has supported educational programming and scholarships at Ohio State for four decades.
The Foster Family Scholarship endowed after Ohio State Board of Trustee approval in spring 2022 and will award from the $1 million dollars in perpetuity. Students began receiving scholarships in autumn semester. When the fund reaches fruition, each campus will receive approximately $10,000 per year to distribute to qualifying students.
Ashley Euans is
She is now a
“Ohio State has influenced my education in so many ways by allowing me to meet new friends, expand my education, and learn more about community values. I cannot express my gratitude enough for receiving this amazing scholarship. I look forward to expanding my education, meeting new people, and making meaningful friendships within my college community. Thank you to the Foster family for establishing the Foster Family Scholarship,” said Euans.
The gift is part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage program, which means the university will double the impact of the Foster family gift. The university and lead donors have created a matching program that will double up to $50 million in private donations (of $100,000 or more), that establish new endowments or support existing ones for scholarships. Ohio State’s goal is to raise at least $800 million over the next decade to expand undergraduate scholarships.
pictured above graduating from Olentangy High School. primary education major at The Ohio State University at Marion and a 2022-23 recipient of the Foster Family Scholarship.
Ohio State Marion recently received a grant from the Marion Community Foundation to aid in the purchase and implementation of smart manufacturing equipment for its Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology program. This highly advanced technology equipment will be housed at Tri-Rivers as the two institutions are collaborating to offer students high level applications that will help them hit the ground running when entering the workforce. This real-world equipment was a recommendation of several area manufacturers, such as Whirlpool, Nucor, Kalmbach Feeds, and Wyandot, who also have provided input into the curriculum design of this program. These businesses, among others, remain engaged in the program development and will have an active role in students’ senior year and provide Capstone projects, internships, and coops.
In addition to the five shows held as part of the annual performing arts series, the campus invited the community to a free Five Nights extra, Sunset Serenade, featuring the Palace Big Band performing on a warm September evening on the plaza outside the Library Classroom Building.
Five Nights on Campus is a performing arts series designed specifically for the residents of the seven-county regional service area of Ohio State Marion and is intended to complement the other entertainment opportunities available in the area. This series features a variety of performance styles from traditional Irish folk music to the big band era, from Broadway to traditional choral, and even historical performance narrative, with an opportunity for the audience to meet with artists at a reception at the end of each program. The mission of Five Nights on Campus is to provide exceptional and diverse cultural and educational opportunities and to encourage the community to be a part of campus life.
“Words can’t explain how grateful I am for this scholarship. Thank you for choosing me and for helping out my financial worries. Receiving financial aid and support has really helped me out. I never came from money, so I knew I’d most likely have to scrape up everything on my own. All financial support even the smallest amounts are very important to me.”
Andee Chilcote“This scholarship is a large blessing, as it enables me to take more time off work and use it towards my studies, such as extra time to analyze materials, take better notes, and re-watch lectures to understand all material given.”
Joshua Seaman“I just want to say thank you so much for this scholarship. I am paying for college all on my own, so any amount of money will help in significant ways.”
Adalie Stauffer CATHY GERBERDirector of Development & Community Relations
1465 Mount Vernon Ave., Marion, Ohio 43302 740-725-6069 or gerber.10@osu.edu go.osu.edu/mariongiving