Notes from a Fellow Buckeye

Dear Colleagues,

The tragic shooting in Texas Tuesday undoubtedly has affected many of us and stirred great sorrow. All of Buckeye Nation joins in mourning for the victims, as we did for those killed in the mass-shooting in Buffalo and all other acts of violence nationwide. Personally, I am devastated by these massacres.

The Ohio State Employee Assistance Program has new and expanded resources to support you and your families on a wide range of challenges, responsibilities and concerns. We have a new online member portal, online tools and well-being and work-life resources at this link.

In the wake of the shooting in Texas, and as we conclude Mental Health Awareness Month, I hope you will take a moment to familiarize yourself with those resources and the other mental health and well-being benefits we offer to Ohio State employees and their families. Please do not hesitate to seek help if you need it.

Collegiate Purple Star Designation

I am thrilled to announce Ohio State’s support for veteran and military students is being recognized with the state’s new Collegiate Purple Star designation. It acknowledges public and independent colleges and universities in Ohio that are supportive and inclusive of military-connected students. This is a great recognition of our commitment to provide 

the support and services these students deserve.

Celebrating success

Your accomplishments continue to amaze me every day.

Congratulations to the 13 extraordinary employees chosen to receive our highest staff recognition, the 2022 Distinguished Staff Award, for greatly contributing to the university’s mission and demonstrating Ohio State values:

• Dr. David Graham, assistant vice provost for student academic success, transition and academic growth in the Office of Student Academic Success.
• Tom Blincoe, executive director of network development and outreach at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
• Misti Crane, director of strategic communications and marketing for the College of Public Health.
• Kynthia Droesch, director of the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services in the College of Public Health.
• Ryan Haley, senior director of ambulatory services at the Wexner Medical Center.
• Kristi Hoge, associate director of employee and labor relations in the Office of Human Resources.
• Jeff Jahnes, assistant director of the Applied Microbiology Services Laboratory, Academic Affairs, Infectious Diseases Institute.
• Amy Kennedy, assistant to the chair in the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and program administrator.
• Jamie Mathews-Mead, senior director of graduate career management for the Fisher College of Business.
• Diana McMahon, director of professional practice at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
• Laura Seeger, digital media and eLearning specialist in the Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences.
• Barry Tolchin, manager of academic advising, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering in the College of Engineering.
• Trish Weber, program manager of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in the College of Medicine.

Congratulations also to the honorees selected for the 2022 Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award. Five exceptional recipients were recognized for outstanding commitment to enhancing Ohio State’s diversity and inclusion efforts:

• The team at the Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male.
• Sandra Dawkins, director of admissions and recruitment and staff director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Dr. Thomas Magliery, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Medical resident Bismarck Odei.
• Tabitha Willis, a recent graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences.

On a personal note, I would love to share several pieces of news with you all.

Pleased to announce earlier today that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo appointed me to a two-year term as a non-Federal Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This is another opportunity to further expand Ohio State’s prominence.

Also, like so many of you, I had a wonderful teaching experience this past semester. The undergraduate, project-based course “Pathways to Net Zero Carbon Emissions” I taught concluded with my amazing students developing strategic, technology-based energy plans to reduce Ohio State’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. I encourage any faculty or staff member with ideas to help accomplish this goal to send them to my office.

Earlier this month, during the American Association of Universities’ (AAU) spring membership meeting, I participated on a panel discussing how we can reduce debt for our students and talked about our Scarlet & Gray Advantage program. Rice University President David Leebron, Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher joined me for this informative event.

Buckeye Nation was reminded of our truly global reach during a call earlier this month organized by AAU with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He encouraged all students, faculty and staff in higher education to make choices to fight for democracy.

Finally, I’d like to say it was delightful to be in the ’Shoe with so many of you for commencement earlier this month. 12,439 graduates were granted degrees in Ohio Stadium. Of those graduates, 296 received doctorate degrees, 1,945 master’s degrees, 969 graduate professional degrees and about 9,229 bachelor’s and associate degrees and certificates. Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger delivered the commencement address. In addition to Mr. Gelsinger’s address, remarks were provided by Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, Sen. Robert J. Portman and Dr. Grace Wahba. I am glad we were able to celebrate the success of our students who have now completed their degrees.

I wish you all a restful and relaxing break this summer with time for friends and family.

As always, Go Buckeyes!

Sincerely yours,

Kristina M. Johnson, PhD
President