SUMMER 2020
COVID 19 SPECIAL REPORT There is no routine cancer. Just like no two people are exactly the same, neither are their cancers. Each patient’s cancer is fueled by different, unique elements that help cancer cells develop, survive, invade and grow. That’s why researchers and oncologists at The James at Ohio State study the unique genetic makeup of each patient’s cancer. As they discover what drives a patient’s cancer, they develop and deliver the most advanced targeted treatments, leading to better outcomes, faster responses, fewer side effects and more hope. To learn more, visit cancer.osu.edu.
James No Routine general_OhioMag_8x10.75.indd 1 5/14/20 2:31 PM How Firm Thy Friendship | SUMMER 2020
Being far from his own home, he can relate to students’ experiences living away from their loved ones, and he puts this knowledge to use every day to support students in our residence halls. In addition to being a staff member, Cornelius is a new alum: He earned his bachelor’s degree in education in May. VOLUME 111, ISSUE 5 Classrooms are on his horizon, but not one to PUBLISHER Molly Ranz Calhoun ’86 teach in — yet. He’ll begin working toward his master’s degree in the fall. If he could gift VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING current and future students anything at all, Adrienne Nazon he says he would choose determination EDITOR and motivation. Mary Alice Casey “Fight for what is important to you,” he ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kristen Schmidt advises. “Never give up.” That is such good guidance for all of us. SENIOR WRITER Todd Jones So, I ask you, when you think about what ART DIRECTION it means to be a Buckeye, what traits or Patrick Kastner skills would you encourage students to acquire DESIGN, LAYOUT or grow, especially in these unprecedented AND PRODUCTION Patrick Kastner, times? I am interested to hear your Ed Maceyko ’90 suggestions, which you can email to me at PHOTOGRAPHY What it means [email protected]. Jo McCulty ’84, ’94 MA, When I think about Cornelius’ contributions Logan Wallace and accomplishments, and what all the people STRATEGY to be a Buckeye of our university are doing to lead the way at Justin Bell ’01 this time, I truly have never been prouder to be OPERATIONS Mike Pohle, Stacie Rose ll Buckeyes have their own unique a Buckeye. Ours is a collective of inspiring and paths that make them distinctly giving individuals, as you’ll see over and over PROOFREADING Pamela Hill, Terri Stone qualified to make a difference. This as you turn these pages. ADDRESS CHANGES might be in the workplace, in a I wish you and your loved ones well. My Email [email protected] Avolunteer role or simply in moving through thoughts are with all of you. or call 800-762-5646 daily life exhibiting those qualities we so STORY IDEAS proudly associate with Buckeyes. As your new In Firm Friendship, [email protected] alumni association president and CEO, I feel ADVERTISING [email protected] honored to get to tell such stories, especially THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY those of alumni supporting the broader ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Buckeye community by touching the lives of Longaberger Alumni House 2200 Olentangy River Road students, staff, faculty, parents and patients in Columbus, OH 43210-1035 especially meaningful ways. MOLLY RANZ CALHOUN ’ 800-762-5646 I was privileged to work with one such President and CEO Periodicals postage paid at Freeport, Ohio, and additional mailing o ces. person, Cornelius Doe, in Student Life. The Ohio State University Alumni Association Cornelius is in Housekeeping, and since POSTMASTER: Send address changes COVID-19 struck, he has been working in the to Ohio State Alumni Magazine, residence halls to assist students who are The Ohio State University Alumni What traits or skills would you Association, Inc., 2200 Olentangy unable to go home. Originally from Ghana, encourage students to acquire or grow? Shoot Molly River Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1035. Canadian Post Publications Agreement Cornelius joined Ohio State five years ago. an email. [email protected] No. 40897507. WDS, Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5; [email protected].
© 2020 The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. Member, Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Ohio State Alumni Magazine (ISSN 1072-3234) is published quarterly in March, June, September and December, with occasional special editions, by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. Our business partners and sponsors provide fi nancial support for the programs and services of The Ohio State University Alumni Association.
Photo: McCulty Jo Sustaining membership in The Ohio State University Alumni Association includes a subscription to Ohio State Alumni Magazine.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 1 SUMMER 2020 | Buckeye View
OUR STRENGTH IN FULL GLORY Life on the Oval pulsates to the rhythm of the day. There is an ebb and flow to the beats between the predawn stillness, the mid-day bustle toward an abundance of opportunities and the evening unwinding with Frisbees and friendship. Toward the end of spring semester in April, though, the Oval exudes an eerie peace. The air is bittersweet as a few seniors celebrate their accomplishments and grieve the loss of their traditional commencement, while acknowledging the gravity of losses around them. The Oval offers a tranquil haven for reflection and solace, a setting to absorb the remarkable splendor of the expansive space or delight in minute details of emerging buckeye leaves. On the plaza near Bricker Hall, a magnificent blossoming crabapple tree expresses the indomitable spirit of Mother Nature. She teaches patience, renewal and resilience — qualities Buckeyes know well, yet don’t mind being reminded of again and again. — ’4, ’94
SUMMER 2020
COVID-19 SPECIAL REPORT
EDITOR’S NOTE: This new reality is hard for all of us. We are still processing. We are finding our footing. As we move through this together, we bring you stories of Buckeyes who are leading in medicine, public health, education, research. We bring you stories of hope and help, stories about extraordinary generosity and character. Stories that illustrate how the Ohio State family’s drive to pay forward is rippling across this new reality, illuminating our future.
Artist Rhonda Bartoe uses chalk to transform a section of smooth gray concrete outside Wexner Medical Center into depictions of gratitude, pride and love for the employees walking to and from work.
ABOUT THE COVER: As individuals, we have no chance when nature comes at us with its full force. Only together can we survive a storm and rebuild and thrive in its wake. Nearly every corner of the world has been reminded of this in the last few months. At Ohio State, this instinctive knitting together of skills and resources and the indelible spirit that fuels them have been our greatest comfort and hope. That’s what we want to convey with this image of members of our Buckeye community, each person working in concert to lift the whole. The Block O you see might ring familiar — it played a prominent role on our sesquicentennial special edition cover in fall 2019 — and that’s no mistake. Our 150 years of fulfilling our land-grant mission have enabled us to meet this moment with confidence and grace.
4 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI SUMMER 2020
1 16 How Firm Thy Friendship Positioned for a New alumni association hopeful future President and CEO Ohio State responded Molly Ranz Calhoun ’86 to the pandemic with wants your suggestions. clarity, science, service, reassurance. 2 Buckeye View Glorious spring blooms 26 and sprouting leaves A trusted pathfi nder on the Oval. Amy Acton ’96 MPH has been a beacon for 6 Ohioans, just as she Letters to the Editor was for her students. Readers light up about The Lantern and reflect 32 on the tumult of 1970. 12 Leading the way Well hello, Molly! from a pivotal role Our new alumni chief Chief Clinical Officer on the two Buckeye Andrew Thomas ’95 MD, families closest to her heart ’00 MBA shares insights on the preparations of his university, city and state. 50 Ohio State of Play Climb aboard the new victory garden bandwagon. 36 Beginners welcome! Deep knowledge is the best ally 51 Linda Saif ’71 MS, ’76 PhD The Object has long been a trusted Mother and son share partner when the world Buckeye pride and optimism. stumbles into a pandemic. 52 Power of 10 40 Visit the national parks Look for the helpers vicariously with Brad Ryan ’16 DVM, ’17 MPH We did not have to look and his Grandma Joy. far to find Buckeyes who have marshaled their skills in service to those 64 affected by COVID-19. O-H-I-O What commencement 46 looked like for four friends Forging a path forward We turned to Ohio State faculty and staff members for guidance and food for thought. Photos: Logan Wallace (chalk artist), McCulty Jo (victory garden), Jim Bowling (Calhoun), courtesy of Forrest Brandt courtesy Jr., of Brad Ryan
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 5 SUMMER 2020 | Letters to the Editor
The Lantern illuminated their way, too
What? Lantern neWspaper editors i Was the business manager of those obsolete typewriters?), the process are paid these days? Deservedly, they The Lantern from ’62 to ’64. It gave me of publishing the newspaper remains are, as noted in your fine article on the an opportunity to acquire my master of the same: a team of dedicated student school’s great student newspaper. arts degree and to teach my first course. journalists working day and night — When I was Lantern editor-in-chief in As a result, I became a professor and often to the detriment of their other 1962, all I got was a passel of parking dean emeritus with a career covering classwork — to provide the university tickets on my car after I left it parked on some 40 years. Lantern experience was community with up-to-date information a campus street until 1 a.m. while we got an important start! about Ohio State and the world beyond. the paper out. I refused to pay them. Daniel CoStello ’62, ’64 ma We covered stories of great import Glad to see students still working so tampa, floRiDa (campus race relations, the resignation hard to provide a vital service. After my of President Nixon) and great stint, I became the first Ohio State the article about the Lantern in amusement (the spring outbreak of journalism student ever hired by The your Spring 2020 issue took me back to “streaking,” a campus visit by Playboy Wall Street Journal, where I worked for my time as a graduate student in playmate Barbie Benton). 38 years, mostly in Washington. When I journalism (1973–74) at Ohio State. I At that time, what with Washington started in Chicago, my boss came to me worked for The Lantern, first as a Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl and told me that Ohio State wouldn’t reporter covering the university Bernstein unearthing the Watergate release my school transcript — not until president’s office beat, then as managing cover-up with the help of their secret I paid those parking tickets. editor during my last quarter. source, Deep Throat, journalism was a Ron ShafeR ’62 While the technology has changed hot career choice. Now, as newspapers WilliamSbuRg, ViRginia (what did the department do with all across the country struggle to hold on
6 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI to readers, it’s heartening to see young I had the opportunity to meet cover clothing. Talk about a moment men and women still willing to story subject Julie Branco Bombacino at preserved in time by an expert dedicate their time and talent to this an Association of Corporate Growth photographer’s picture of an august noble profession. An informed public, event several years ago in Chicago and group of overachievers! armed with the truth, is the foundation was impressed with her commitment to Thanks for the excellent work. The of our democracy. Journalists — print, helping people. It was wonderful to read magazine gets better with every issue. broadcast, online — help make that that her company is successful and John b. WebeR ’86 mba possible. growing. And my hat is off to President napeRVille, illinoiS William RaDoS ’74 ma Michael V. Drake and his quiet, glenWooD, maRylanD competent leadership. He will be missed. And the work of Dr. Quinn thanks so much for the tribute to Capers — it is helpful to read about join the conversation We welcome your The Lantern. I designate my alumni these leaps of progress at Ohio State. I letters, which we ask that you limit to 250 words. association membership to The Lantern probably would not have been aware of Letters selected for publication typically address in gratitude for my good education and topics raised in Ohio State Alumni Magazine, the medical school’s growing diversity although the editor reserves the right to make help in getting my first job. had it not been for your article. exceptions. All letters accepted for publication CanDaCe S. hugheS ’75 But the thing I found most interesting appear online at go.osu.edu/alumnimag, and apaChe JunCtion, aRizona a selection appears in print. To have letters aSSiStant City eDitoR, fall 1975 was the article about The Lantern, considered for the fall 2020 print edition, submit especially the picture titled “The Staff of them by July 10, 2020. We edit letters for space, for a great ’92.” I looked at the picture before I read clarity, accuracy and civility. Send them to us Just Wanted to say thanks at [email protected] or Letters to the Editor, spring edition of the alumni magazine. the explanation and thought it was of Ohio State Alumni Magazine, 2200 Olentangy I read it from cover to cover. current students dressed in period River Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1035.
Readers thank mom with the challenges of public schooling. heart for business, service My son did not have the developmental disabilities that A.J. as a mother Who ran out of copes with, but the home visits by options prior to discovering Real nurses, physical therapy specialists, Food Blends, I am extremely grateful seemingly constant corrective surgeries for the Bombacino family. I had no and hospital stays have resulted in a idea that Julie was an Ohio State truly stable life for him. It causes you to alumna, but she is a hero in my eyes — re-evaluate your view of others who someone who not only changed her care for their own disabled children son’s life, but helped so many others in with compassion. It is difficult, but so the process. After months of daily very rewarding. I wouldn’t have it any vomiting, my daughter responded so other way! well to Real Food Blends that she meRRill tRipp ’96, ’98 ma eventually started eating on her own. SunbuRy, ohio We are incredibly grateful that someone was there for us, even when our doctor wasn’t. emily lammeRS ’10 DDS, ’13 mS whose journey began the day of his Correction beaVeRCReek, ohio birth with an emergency colostomy, An attentive reader pointed out that we esophageal atresia, tethered spine cord overestimated the distance between the your story on Julie branco release, autism spectrum disorder, Columbus campus and Perth, Australia, bombacino was truly inspiring. I can feeding tube for the first year and a in a story in the spring issue. In reality, see the love it takes to raise a child half of life, and now a chait tube there are about 11,240 miles that with these setbacks early in life. implanted in his abdomen. separate alumni who live in the capital I am the father of a 10-year-old boy He is now successfully navigating cities of Ohio and Western Australia.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 7 SUMMER 2020 | Letters to the Editor
Returning to Ohio State after serving in Vietnam gave Forrest G. Brandt Jr. ’71 a unique lens on the campus unrest 50 years ago this spring.
MAY 4, 1970 Clarity eludes, danger doesn’t story and photos by Forrest G. brandt Jr. ready, gas masks and bayonets riding on their web belts. “STRIKE” had on apriL 30, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon announced that U.S. and South been spray-painted on Admin’s Vietnamese forces had crossed into Cambodia to destroy sanctuaries that allowed North limestone fascia. Vietnamese troops to enter South Vietnam and attack U.S. forces. Protests were I was no stranger to students’ anger. rampant on college campuses across America, including at Ohio State, where students In October 1961, my freshman year, the also had been demonstrating for civil rights and women’s rights. Forrest Brandt Jr. had appearance of avowed communist recently returned to the Columbus campus after serving a year in Vietnam. In 1971, he Daniel Rubin at the Ohio Union completed the Ohio State education he had begun a decade earlier. sparked squabbles over free speech. A month later, I was among the throng Early on May 4, 1970, I grabbed my police and students had clashed the that marched to the Statehouse to camera bag and headed down Iuka night before. From the east end of the protest the faculty vote to keep the toward campus. High Street traffic Oval, I could spot a gathering of football team out of the Rose Bowl. The seemed a bit light for 8 o’clock, as did students near Orton Hall. A platoon of ’60s also saw many students, including the stream of students coming from National Guardsmen stood in front of me, take part in demonstrations against the Greek houses on 15th. The smell of the Administration Building behind racial discrimination that led to open tear gas still clung to the area where wooden barricades, M-1 rifles at the housing laws for university-approved
8 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI rooming houses. In 1966, as an ROTC “I had just turned toward around the city and gathering around cadet, I marched around the Oval in my Saigon University. I had interviewed final May Day review to the jeers of anti- the students when I heard American advisors to the Army of the war protesters. a couple of soft pops, Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), and the Financially strapped and with a two- reports were mixed. Some advisors said year military obligation hanging over looked up and watched ARVN units fought well, others my head, I took an Army commission expressed concern about a lack of with the idea I could resume my college as cannisters of tear gas discipline and leadership among the education under the GI Bill after my flew overhead and landed South Vietnamese forces. discharge. I returned to campus within In contrast, interviewing U.S. days of arriving home from Vietnam, deep in the mob.” officers and men in combat units immediately feeling the tension inevitably led to comments about the between the university and community, discipline and commitment of North between students and police. Vietnamese soldiers. They marched Now, on May 4, I stood in the middle hundreds of miles, from the north of that conflict, aiming my cameras at deep into the south, along trails that the students on one side and the Ohio American forces monitored, bombed National Guard on the other. Maybe on and shelled. And yet they fought with this day I would be able to resolve the persistent determination against our conflict that had been boiling inside me overwhelming firepower. for five years: Were the student Given what I witnessed in Vietnam, I protesters right or was there an had come to question the officially important purpose in keeping Vietnam stated U.S. policy of holding the line from turning communist? until the ARVN was ready to stand on I took in the chaos and passion as I its own. The experience made me snapped away. One item caught my eye. sympathetic to the students’ cause of I could see the clips in the rifles of the ending the war and getting American Guard: eight rounds of live ammunition troops back home. I understood their for each man. I assessed the Guard frustration that the end of the war numbers. In the short time I had been seemed nowhere in sight. on the Oval, the Guard had grown — Now I was on campus surrounded by from a platoon to a company — and was students. I shared their ardor for a led by a brigadier general, a one-star Brandt, with champagne and a French moment, longing to see things as clearly commanding what should have been baguette, celebrates in Saigon his upcoming as they seemed to. Then I remembered departure from Vietnam. the task of a captain. No longer standing that these students had received draft behind the barricade with rifles at rest, deferments. Each time a student the guardsmen had moved to fixed in the mob. Screams of panic pierced received a deferment, a young man who bayonets and gas masks. the air, and protesters quickly tied wasn’t in school took his place in the The student crowd also had increased handkerchiefs around their faces. Some draft. With each deferment, medical in size — and belligerence. Anxious raced to the smoking canisters and excuse or conscientious objector, student leaders huddled to talk; hot heaved them back into the line of another boy from the inner city or rural heads screamed profanity-laced taunts guardsmen. More pops, more canisters America took his place. I saw the at the Guard. A helicopter hovered over arcing across the clear blue sky. The resulting inequity as soon as I entered the scene, and nervous chatter began: students were incensed. “Pigs off active duty. Now I listened as those Was it the news, the cops or the Guard campus!” some yelled. Here and there, same liberated students called soldiers controlling the chopper? I started plainclothes police officers snatched pigs, Nazis, murderers. computing: Eight bullets times 150 men protesters and marched them away. I’d come home to that, confronted in a company. Did anyone realize how A year in Vietnam had convinced me first by protesters at the gates leading dangerous the situation was? that the American effort was futile. My out of Travis Air Force Base, then on San I had just turned toward the students job had allowed me access to Saigon for Francisco streets. Back at Ohio State, I when I heard a couple of soft pops, a day every week, and each visit saw it in campus graffiti and letters in looked up and watched as cannisters of presented me with the sight of young The Lantern. I heard it expressed in tear gas flew overhead and landed deep Vietnamese men riding motor scooters casual conversation and classroom
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 9 SUMMER 2020 | Letters to the Editor
Words of hope in a time of pain Protests filled streets across America, including those in Columbus, in the days just before this issue went to print. Searching for hope, we found it in words Ohio State’s vice provost for diversity and inclusion, James L. Moore III, shared with his staff four days after George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis. Moore heads the university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, born in 1970 from student protests of the preceding years. Here are excerpts from his message.
i learned at a very early age, while growing up in the rural South, about unnecessary pain and suffering. I watched many members in my community experience undeserved The National Guard, with fixed bayonets, had begun forcing students away from the Administration Building when Brandt took this photo. slights, neglect and mistreatment simply because of their skin color. You should not get into diversity, discussions. I wasn’t a pig, a murderer bullets, of how uncomfortable a gas equity and inclusion work unless you or a Nazi, but in uniform I was a symbol mask is, of how futile past protests had really believe that your efforts can truly of the war and a target for those been, of the shouts and insults, of how make a difference in the world. In fact, frustrated by their inability to get the tired the guardsmen would be after a you should not do anything unless you government’s attention. day of fruitless effort to break up the believe your efforts are the tipping I looked at the guardsmen and demonstration. What bothered me most point. Without critical examination, sympathized with their lot. They wore was the nagging question: Did either true reconciliation and equal justice, the same uniform I had worn. Like me, side understand the danger? false accusations will continue to be they felt compelled to serve when called. I was no more back to the apartment made about people of color and other I swung from the position of the when I heard the news: Four dead and vulnerable populations. students to that of the guardsmen. nine wounded at Kent State. “It could I believe in the power of education. Just as quickly as I had sided with the have been right here,” I told my We have an immense opportunity to Guard, another thought entered. apartment mate. “I saw all the elements transform the lives of our students Congress had given the Guard and right on the Oval.” and colleagues as we put our stamp Reserves permission to increase to Which side was right? I didn’t know. on the next generation of leaders. The 150% of fill. While units in combat were The main mission of the National next generation will take on these starved for soldiers, Guard and Reserve Guard was not crowd control, but what issues that have bedeviled us and units were flush. And who got those were institutions to do if students broke build on the work that previous slots? That was easy to see when looking into facilities, destroyed property and generations have done. at the force in front of me; more than defied order? The confusion I’d felt on The reality is that we have a chance 200 men and not a single black face in the Oval continued to brew. to, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther uniform. How could I side with the King Jr., bend the arc of the moral Guard knowing they did not risk universe toward justice. Our work is deployment to Vietnam even as infantry forrest g. brandt jr. ’71 earned his too important to wait — and needed units were begging for men? bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ohio State now more than ever. Thank you for all On and on it went. Out of film and and the University of Cincinnati, respectively, you do to advance diversity, equity and exhausted from wrestling with the before embarking on a career as a teacher. He inclusion at our beloved The Ohio served in the Army Reserves until 1997, when issues of the protest, I packed my he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. State University. Equally as important, cameras and headed back to the He has taught freshman composition at thank you for working to make our apartment. I thought about all those Northern Kentucky University since 2005. world a better place.
10 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI SUMMER 2020
ALUMNI DIGITAL MAGAZINE
On-the-job More magazine education Working from home is is a click away the new, lasting normal for a lot of us. There’s wellness Visit go.osu.edu/alumnimag for for that! Take it from Ohio State’s chief wellness officer, web-exclusive stories, plus video, Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk. audio, images and other fun extras.
A few of her favorite things Get to know new alumni association President and CEO Molly Ranz Calhoun as she answers lightning round questions about her favorite Ohio State places and traditions.
Reporting live We set out to document the work of student journalists at The Lantern. Then COVID-19 arrived and the story changed. A lot. Hear how editors kept chasing the story, remotely, until the end of the spring semester. A virtual visit Hear the burbling of water at Mirror Lake, the swish of a breeze on the Oval and other aural delights from campus with our Sights and In Memoriam Sounds video series. Remember alums who have passed away.
Keep up with The Ohio State University Alumni Association on social media! facebook Facebook.com/OhioStateAlumni twitter @OhioStateAlumni instagram @theohiostatealumni
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 11 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND CEO Well hello, Molly!
Chances are you know her. Or know of her. Now, sit in as our new alumni chief discusses her role, ties between students past and present, and her own Buckeye journey.
BY MARY ALICE CASEY
olly Ranz Calhoun ’86 has two something Student Life calls Buckeye Bus. We Buckeye families. There’s the take a bus of students around Ohio to illustrate one she grew up in, with 14 Ohio what it means to be a Buckeye, whether that’s as a State degrees — and two more in part of Ohio State or as a citizen of Ohio. Mprogress — within its circle. And there’s the one President Drake and members of the faculty went, that’s hundreds of thousands strong, to which she too. When I got home that night, I said to my owes her education and has dedicated her life’s husband, “You know what? I could do that every work. She’s given her heart to both. single day.” Seeing those connections between Now, Calhoun is president and CEO of The students, alumni, faculty and the community, Ohio State University Alumni Association, feeling the energy we create and the good we can which serves as the primary point of connection do when we all get together, it was really exciting between the university and its graduates. She and even more inspiring. succeeded Jim Smith in the role May 1. Calhoun has worked for Ohio State for 35 years, always in What do you bring to the university and alumni the Office of Student Life, most recently as association in this role? senior associate vice president. At this point in my career, I’m uniquely positioned to know our students and Ohio State Why is leading the alumni association the right as an organization. We have a great opportunity job for you now? to think about what it means to be an alum and Actually, this role wasn’t something I really saw talk with students about how special that is coming. I served last year as interim senior vice from the day they move in. I’ve worked with president for student life after having been pretty students for 35 years. So being able to use the much behind the scenes planning and developing opportunities we have on our campuses to programs and projects throughout my career. The familiarize them with the alumni association — experience leading the department helped me that idea warms my heart. The staff and various realize how much energy I pull from interacting leaders over the years have laid a great with others. It was kind of the “aha moment” for foundation for this. We can build on that. When me. I had the opportunity to take part in I think about all the students I helped move in
12 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Photo: McCulty Jo OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 13 ALWAYS ON THE GO as freshmen, and now getting to work with them as Whether it’s pitching alumni, just like Buckeye spirit, the possibilities in, connecting with are boundless. students or enjoying an evening with her “Move-in is really the family, Calhoun is in her How do you think about the relationship between element among people. students and alumni? happiest day of the Here she is, from left, College is very important for us as we figure out with move-in volunteer who we are and what we want to do. And with that Johnnie Davis, at the year for me. That, Student Involvement Fair comes all the interactions you get, everything you and with husband Tom can pull from every resource. One of those Calhoun and sons Casey resources is our alumni. We create this safety net and graduation day. (left) and Cody for some duckpin bowling. for students when they come to college. It’s an opportunity to try things out and to look at Those really bookend different options. As students graduate and become alumni, then that safety net becomes more everything, right?” like a fabric, and the weave becomes tighter. That compare notes rich tapestry is what keeps us together. Because How do your favorite we’ve “been there,” literally and figuratively, there’s this magic to the day; it’s this huge logistical things about Ohio State alumni get to put that blanket around students — puzzle of figuring out how to get 10,000 students into align with Molly’s? Catch this video and help them, mentor them, give them experiences, their residence halls with all their belongings. But it’s compare. share what they did when they were at Ohio State. also this deeply personal moment for students and go.osu.edu/ That’s neat to watch that whole circle of life. their families and supporters. Their parents and MollyRanzCalhoun friends, their family dog, their grandparents, their If you had to pick just one, what’s your favorite best friends are all coming with them to Ohio State. thing to do on campus? And the stories! I remember one parent who was just Hands down, it’s move-in. It’s really the happiest sobbing as she was leaving. I was comforting her, and day of the year for me. That, and graduation day. we were talking, both acknowledging it would all be Those really bookend everything, right? At move-in, OK. Then she said, “The sad thing is, I only live three
14 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI miles away.” We had a great laugh. It’s entertaining BUCKEYE CREDENTIALS watching the amount of stuff students can pack into a room — and also the amount of stuff that comes right GETTING STARTED: Molly in 1947 and ’48, respectively, back out to go home with their loved ones. And there is the daughter of Norbert and still are one of just a few Ranz ’49, ’52 DDS and the sets of brothers to captain an are hundreds of volunteers, including some of our late Mary Welch Ranz ’48, Ohio State sport.) alumni. So that is just an exciting day, one with such who met at Ohio State. They special energy and collaboration. made a life in Norbert’s CAREER HIGHS: While hometown of Cincinnati, charting her path from You’ve been a Buckeye your whole life. Is there where Molly, her sister and student intern to senior two brothers grew up. In associate vice president, one day that stands out above all others? their predominantly Catholic Molly led the university’s That would have to be the day I found an westside neighborhood, there largest residential advertisement for an internship in the Office of were Notre Dame families and construction project, the Student Life. It was for a job to work on the the Ranz family of Buckeyes. North Residential District, and played a key role in the renovation of what was then the Stadium FAMILY CONNECTIONS: design and construction of Scholarship Dorm, and it caught my eye because Ohio State ties are prized by the current Ohio Union. my dad had lived in the stadium. He told so many this family. Her degree is in stories about that experience. When I graduated, industrial design. She and FAVORITE HOBBY: A her husband, Tom Calhoun, history of photography class Student Life offered me a position, and I thought, have three sons, Cody, who prompted her to minor in “OK, I’ll stay for three years,” because I was going to is studying medicine at Ohio photography. That’s led to her go off and join an architectural firm and design and State, and twins Casey, a role as photographer for her create unforgettable spaces. Well, I still have been business major, and Conner, sons’ many sports teams. who is working full time. able to do many of those things — and 35 years All three sons were born at FONDEST ANALOGY: later, I’m still here! I have been able to create spaces Wexner Medical Center and “Buckeyes have this bond. where students get to live out their dreams, their attended university child care. I tell people it’s kind of like experiences, their passions. That’s been such an Other alumni include two of Gorilla Glue. We should have her siblings, nieces, nephews Buckeye Glue. It doesn’t incredible adventure. I figured out I’ve had 12 and her uncle George Ranz matter where you are in the different positions in the Office of Student Life. ’48. (He and Molly’s dad world, we will stick together
Photos: Jim Bowling (left, McCulty Jo center); This is my lucky 13th position at Ohio State. captained the baseball team and be there for each other.”
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 15 COVID-19 Special Report Positioned for a hopeful future
STORY BY MARY ALICE CASEY | PHOTOS BY LOGAN WALLACE
Faced with adversity, we tap our innermost values for answers. As a global pandemic moved closer to The Ohio State University — our campuses, our students, our communities — the university responded with clarity, science, service, reassurance. We don’t yet know all the answers about the future, and that can be scary. But we are proud of how far we’ve come and how we are facing this challenge. And we can be confident that our alma mater will emerge strong and ready for what’s next.
16 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Registered nurse Matt Gephart comforts a COVID-19 patient in The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Medical Intensive Care Unit. At left, registered nurse Jennifer Ogden communicates through the doorway of a negative airflow room that helps contain viral droplets during care and procedures.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 17 COVID-19 Special Report
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We were 59 days into spring semester when a distant The Oval grew quiet this news story turned local: On March 5, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the coming weekend’s Arnold Sports Classic closed to spectators, who typically number spring. So, too, did more than 200,000 and travel to Columbus from around the world. Students and faculty were Thompson Library, the anticipating the following week’s spring break, and coronavirus cases were being reported around the country, although not yet in Ohio. residence halls, Mirror Lake, The news was changing by the day, often by the hour. The state’s first confirmed cases and an sports venues and other announcement by President Michael V. Drake that the university would move all courses online came on March 9. Within days, spring break was extended to usually buzzing destinations two weeks to give faculty time to transition classes to virtual formats and students time to move out of residence halls, which closed to all but about 1,000 across the Columbus and students without alternate housing options. That’s an inadequate sketch of the opening days of regional campuses. this pandemic at The Ohio State University, which as
On December 31, 2019, China’s government confirms Wuhan residents are being treated for what is identified as How and when a new type of coronavirus. One month later, the first U.S. case is reported, and the first death from the disease is Ohio State reacted confirmed by the end of February. The disease, now named COVID-19, had taken hold in the United States.
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| 1 | Family members load their student’s | 2 | Drackett Tower Hall Director David | 3 | Casey Bauchmoyer ’20 belongings for the trip home to the Ternier assembles snack packs for on-campus wipes down the interior of a Cleveland area. Students moved out of residents. About 1,000 students unable to campus bus in late April as part the residence halls in March during an return home remained in residence halls and of the university’s enhanced extended spring break. were assisted by essential staff. cleaning efforts.
we know exceeds the size and complexity of many and other needs for the almost 7,000 international cities. It doesn’t begin to tell the story of all the ways students who chose Ohio State for their U.S. studies. Buckeyes prepared for and responded to this global One staffer described the effort as a well-oiled machine crisis. You would be proud of the coming together, the operating in a sea of chaos, with concern for students’ creative thinking, the determination, the consideration health and safety the one constant. and the paying forward. Always, the paying forward. The minds of students — more than 68,000 at all With health and travel conditions changing rapidly levels — were on the minds of faculty, and here the around the world, staff worked quickly to assist the watchwords were innovation, flexibility, collaboration, nearly 500 students who were studying abroad during resilience. Groups formed to help faculty members spring semester and spring break. While some students adapt to the challenges, such as teaching lab classes chose to remain in their host countries, and one student online, testing students in large course sections and faced difficulty returning to the United States, all others sustaining dynamic discussions via tools such as Zoom. returned safely within days. Processes were put in place to help with government mandates, accommodations Continued on p. 21
President Michael V. Drake announces all courses will transition to The Buckeyes’ spring virtual instruction through March 30. This is later extended through football game, set for April 11 3.9 summer semester. Ohio’s first COVID-19 cases are confirmed. 3.11 at Ohio Stadium, is canceled. Photo: McCulty Jo (Ternier)
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 19 COVID-19 Special Report
A commencement like never before
| 1 | Inside an empty Ohio Stadium, | 2 | Michael V. Drake delivers his | 3 | Kate Greer ’20, president | 4 | Provost Bruce McPheron ’76 Vice President for Student Life final commencement address of Undergraduate Student paid tribute to Ohio State’s Melissa Shivers awaits a video as Ohio State president. He Government, acknowledged in largest graduating class during producer’s signal to begin the praised graduates for accepting her remarks the unique ways a ceremony livestreamed first virtual commencement in changes forced by the pandemic students and their families and broadcast on WOSU TV university history. and spoke of a brighter future. were celebrating graduation. and The Ohio Channel.
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Ohio State extends spring break one The Big Ten cancels all competitions through the end of the week, giving faculty and students time academic year, ending the seasons of 26 Ohio State sports. The 3.12 to prepare for virtual instruction. NCAA cancels the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
20 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Continued from p.19 Empowering remarks The university worked with students who had internet shed light for the future access issues and tailored solutions to their hurdles. Across the Columbus and five regional campuses, Sharing inspiration with graduates about to faculty turned to abundant university resources and one embark on their next journey is a weighty task. another to adapt and forge ahead. The history keepers in University Archives unearthed these gems from years past, which A challenge that often accompanies college studies is ring as true today as when first spoken. stress, something all of us have felt as this pandemic unfolded and stretched on. Some students are in more “The nation is as strong as the health of its precarious situations, though, and the university members. Health is so personal, so intimate, so community has worked diligently to embrace them inherent in the welfare of the individual, that it is the finest example of democratic interest.” DEPARTMENT OF BACTERIOLOGY CHAIR N. PAUL HUDSON, DECEMBER 1941
“Whatever life you choose, there will be risks. The minds of students — more But whatever challenges you face, they will not be significantly different from those you have faced already. It takes the same resiliency, clear than 68,000 at all levels — were thinking and determination to overcome them.” on the minds of faculty, and here BROADCASTER ERIN MORIARTY ’77 JD, JUNE 2004 “Never were so many equipped with education, never was the call so clear. That call comes loud the watchwords were innovation, for you. Destiny awaits your answer.” flexibility, collaboration, resilience. OHIO STATE PRESIDENT HOWARD BEVIS, JUNE 1942 “Wherever you go and whatever you do, you must always fulfill the trust reposed in you by your with care and support. Whether the need is mental alma mater — a Latin phrase translated literally as ‘nourishing mother.’ … We must give back … by health services or assistance with housing, food and being its ambassadors, by advancing its mission other expenses, the arms of Buckeyes have extended and by doing the utmost best in our profession.” wide and far. Sometimes even a friendly voice helps, so DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF SOIL volunteers across the university reached out to some SCIENCE RATTAN LAL ’68 PHD, AUGUST 2019 18,000 first-year and graduating students via “kindness calls” in April. The intent was to see how “You serve as an inspiration to all of us. You are they were faring, find answers if they had questions role models to all of us in how to live our lives.” and raise awareness of resources. By early May, five PROFESSOR EMERITA DEBORAH BALLAM ’72, other universities had asked Ohio State for advice so ’74 MA, ’77 JD, ’97 PHD, DECEMBER 2005 they could consider their own campaigns, proving kindness keeps giving. “To college graduates who make use of their For student-athletes and fans, March brought a education to help … solve these problems, the instability of our present social order presents cascade of disappointing news. The cancellation of Big an invitation rather than a threat. For what is an Ten conference and non-conference competition education worth which does not help us to meet ended the seasons of 26 spring sports. NCAA officials an emergency?” gave spring athletes an extra year of eligibility, but PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS MATTHEW BROWN winter sports athletes whose seasons were still in HAMMOND, SEPTEMBER 1933 progress were not included in the decision. The Compiled by michelle drobik ’99, kevlin haire Continued on p. 24 and halle mares of University Archives.
The university postpones spring commencement. A Ohio issues a stay-at-home order. Residence day later, Ohio State announces two people within the halls close to all but about 1,000 students 3.17 university community have tested positive for COVID-19. 3.22 without other housing options.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 21 COVID-19: Special Report
Power lies in determined people | 1 | Surgical technician Dominga Balde unpacks influenza test kits at an Ohio State researchers and clinicians have applied their intellect, innovation and commitment to the Ohio State warehouse challenges surrounding COVID-19 testing. Their marshaling of resources — human and otherwise — to test to repurpose items for for the presence of the virus and for antibodies indicating possible immunity is a source of inspiration. COVID-19 testing.
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Student Life establishes a donor-supported fund to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and help students with emergency needs. More funds Battelle develop a diagnostic test for COVID-19 that 3.27 are later provided under the federal CARES Act. 3.30 can deliver results in as little as five hours.
22 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI | 2 | Staff members | 3 | Jacob Yount of Ohio State’s | 4 | Ohio State lab director | 5 | Battelle employee Kelsey from throughout Infectious Diseases Institute Sandra VanVranken ’03, ’12 Bowers ’15 MS analyzes Wexner Medical Center labels a new solution that MS works with COVID-19 ribonucleic acid in COVID-19 volunteered to administer university scientists developed test specimens in a joint lab samples using a diagnostic COVID-19 tests at drive- within 24 hours to expand created by Wexner Medical test developed by Wexner through locations. testing capabilities. Center and Battelle. Medical Center and Battelle.
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Drake announces plans for a virtual commencement to Ohio reports COVID-19 cases in the state be held May 3 and pledges that an in-person celebration have hit a “flat, steady peak,” totaling 4.3 of the Class of 2020 will occur when it is safe. 4.13 6,975 cases and 274 deaths.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 23 COVID-19 Special Report
Continued from p. 21
national pastime of March Madness and Ohio State’s spring football game were canceled, and recruiting ground to a halt. On March 24, the Olympic Games in Tokyo were postponed until 2021, delaying the dreams of four Buckeye rowers who had already qualified and nearly 50 other athletes who were still seeking to compete. When this issue went to print on June 1, decisions on fall sports seasons were still pending. The Ohio State family showered those on opposite COVID Connect links expertise with local needs
An effort led by Ohio State is bringing together those with needs related to COVID-19 and those We have learned so much these past most able to offer assistance. COVID Connect is linking Ohio State faculty few months — about the world, and staff as well as other experts with local health departments, nonprofits, businesses and others facing new challenges because of about ourselves. About our capacity the coronavirus. Operated out of the College of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Practice, it is supported by a grant from the university’s for compassion. About our spirit. Office of Outreach and Engagement. “The university has vast expertise in its colleges About our will to find a way, no and schools — and faculty and staff who are asking how to help,” says Amy Fairchild, dean of the College of Public Health. “By creating a matter how rocky the road. single point of entry for those responsible for protecting the public’s health, we can fulfill our land-grant mission in a coordinated fashion.” ends of the student experience — preparing for freshman year and concluding their studies here — COVID Connect fields organizations’ requests for assistance in three primary areas: health, with information, advice and well wishes throughout economic concerns and community needs. The the spring months, much of it via their digital devices. project’s advisory committee then identifies Campus visits for all prospective students as well as appropriate professional partners from a growing orientation for those beginning classes in the fall have database of more than 80 volunteers in a wide transitioned to online presentations for the time being. array of fields. On May 3, as members of the largest-ever A multidisciplinary group of Ohio State volunteers has worked with the Ohio Department graduating class celebrated in small gatherings of of Health in a variety of ways through COVID friends and family, about two dozen people distanced Connect. For example, they’ve partnered on themselves from one another in Ohio Stadium to disease modeling to help predict the trajectory of conduct and document a one-hour virtual infections and teamed up to better understand commencement ceremony. how widespread COVID-19 has been in the general population. Among the speakers were Drake, participating in his final commencement ceremony as Ohio State’s “Though this effort has been spurred by the current pandemic, our goal is to create a durable president after six years in the role, and Apple CEO resource that will meet public health needs for Tim Cook, joining from home in Palo Alto, California, the long haul,” Fairchild says. — misti crane in an Ohio State polo and with a Buckeye football and ’96, ’19 mph bookends on the shelves behind him. That virtual ceremony recognized grads’ hours and years of toil, focus and dedication. Those very same learn more Visit go.osu.edu/covidconnect to request assistance or volunteer expertise. attributes are constantly evident in the actions of
A virtual spring commencement ceremony is livestreamed As of late May, Ohio has paid out more than from Ohio Stadium for Ohio State’s largest-ever graduating $3.1 billion in unemployment compensation to more 5.3 class. In all, 12,967 degrees and certificates are awarded. 5.28 than 644,000 claimants since the crisis began.
24 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI advance testing, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a Students who disease that ravages bodies, economies and our very serve as university support students ambassadors held Your generosity can help students who are struggling sense of safety, security and serenity. As departments a “social-distancing with loss of income, housing issues, food insecurity across Ohio State were implementing austerity measures social” on the Oval and other challenges brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. to gird for inevitable challenges to come, dollars were in early April. give.osu.edu/together quickly identified and deployed for research that addresses our communities’ needs for education and gauges of human behavior right along with scientific clinicians and researchers who commit themselves day solutions to the latest, most pressing coronavirus. stay connected in and day out to crucial roles in our hospital rooms We have learned so much these past few months — Ohio State is committed to and science laboratories. Intensive care unit nurses about the world, about ourselves. About our capacity resuming campus have become family to critically ill patients, providing for compassion. About our spirit. About our will to operations in ways comfort and compassion, allaying fears, holding find a way, no matter how rocky the road. About the that prioritize our patients’ hands and even singing to those who pass, iron-clad strength of our aspirations as Buckeyes. community’s health unable to have loved ones by their sides. About our patience. We have come to believe, to know, and safety. Learn more as plans Perhaps more than ever, researchers are reaching that we will trek our university’s well-worn paths evolve. across disciplines to collaborate, investigate and again. It is hard, in this moment, to know when. It will go.osu.edu/
Photo: Jo McCulty Jo Photo: innovate, looking for small wins and large victories that be when we can do so and be well. adapttogether
At the close of May, the Ohio Department With safety as its main consideration, Ohio State of Health reported 35,513 COVID-19 continues to explore options for resuming on-campus 5.29 cases and 2,155 deaths in the state. 5.31 operations using a phased approach.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 25 COVID-19: Amy Acton ’96 MPH A trusted pathfinder
STORIES BY TODD JONES
When your enemy is a pandemic, you want a smart, steadfast advisor on your side. As head of the Ohio Department of Health, Amy Acton has been that beacon for Ohioans, just as she was for her students in Ohio State’s College of Public Health. Now, as alumni, they share her vision and commitment to the health and safety of those they serve.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton ’96 MPH accepts a well-wisher’s gift presented to her by Yibo Shao ’11, ’16 MAE, a
26 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Photo: Doral Chenoweth III, courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch member of Acton’s staff.
COVID-19: Amy Acton, ’96 MPH
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The small moment is easily lost in all the bleariness, but it served as a glimmer of light in mid-March when the fog of fear and uncertainty stemming from COVID-19 began to change life as we knew it.
Dr. Amy Acton ’96 MPH stood behind a wooden with empathy and straight talk to create a common lectern in the Ohio Statehouse, clad in her crisp, white understanding, a cause to galvanize the Buckeye State. physician’s coat and flanked by more traditional and Now, Acton remains with us amid our grief and recognizable power in Gov. Mike DeWine and lingering anxiety, still holding a lamp on the hazy, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. She looked directly into the challenging path forward. camera livestreaming the news conference to rattled “She’s given us someone to rally with and rally around Ohioans, prepared to explain the worldwide pandemic as she stands and fights this head-on every day,” says that had crept across our border — and how we could Anton Johnson ’14, ’16 MHA, manager of operations for best respond. the cardiac imaging labs at OhioHealth Riverside “I want to walk you behind the veil of what has been Methodist Hospital in Columbus. happening with all of this,” Acton told us. Acton gained visibility across Ohio in the early days of She wanted to walk with us. Be with us. Guide us. the crisis as DeWine voiced his trust in her counsel on Acton’s few words embody the partnership she has how best to suppress the virus. She earned a time slot at ignited in an unprecedented time of need. In the weeks the governor’s daily afternoon news briefings, and he and months since, she has offered that reassurance each vehemently supported her stay-at-home order for Ohio. day, distilling weighty medical and public health concepts The two leaders relied on science to guide them in
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| 1 | Acton describes how wearing a | 2 | Walking through efforts to “flatten | 3 | Acton answers reporters’ questions mask and physical distancing reduce the curve” of coronavirus cases in the during a briefing. DeWine (background) COVID-19’s spread. She and Lt. Gov. Jon state, Acton is calm and reassuring in says he selected her to lead the Ohio Husted (background) share the floor at her communications, giving Ohioans Department of Health because of her Gov. Mike DeWine’s daily news briefings. solace in the midst of uncertainty. strong public health credentials.
difficult decisions, ones they knew would save lives but ● ● ● place the state’s economy in jeopardy. Residents generally took heed, practicing physical Details matter to Acton, and evidence is in the papers distance and other safety measures. The collective efforts she sometimes clutches while addressing Ohioans about led to a more gradual rise in coronavirus cases in Ohio COVID-19. than some other states and gained attention nationally as Look closely and you’ll notice that her notes are an early model for a sound statewide response. typed, with certain passages highlighted with a yellow “Amy has that background, that understanding, that marker. A few hand-scribbled lines inhabit the margins. rootedness — so when she is speaking to us, she is They are the notes of a prepared, keen-eyed teacher, the supporting us,” says Dr. Teresa Long, special advisor for same one who taught off and on for 17 years at Ohio community engagement and partnership in Ohio State’s State, including as a full-time assistant professor of College of Public Health. practice from 2012 to 2016. Acton glossed over nothing. “You feel her commitment and her belief that we can “She took the time to really read your papers and give do this. Her determination is super powerful. She’s great feedback,” says Johnson, who took two of Acton’s asking us to step forward to do our part, and it’s classes while pursuing his master’s in public health. inspiring. This is about all of us being in this together.” Acton views public health as a broad topic, the sum of While Acton leads us into an unknown future, many parts. All issues tie together in importance. She witnessing her leadership in this crisis has been a approached teaching on the same holistic terms. There familiar experience for some Buckeyes. were more than 100 students in her Intro to Public “When I watch her every day,” Johnson says, “I kind Health class, but she made certain to meet individually of feel like I’m sitting in her Intro to Public Health with each of them during the semester.
Photos: Doral Chenoweth III, courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch class again.” “It was shocking that she’d do that because it was such
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 29 COVID-19: Amy Acton, ’96 MPH
a big class,” says Celia Wright ’15. “What was most compelling to us all is that she had this attentiveness and interest in you as a person. She was really invested in your life.” College of Public Health leaders recognized those same attributes in Acton, awarding her the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014–15. Her former students are reminded why when they hear her calmly relay precise news and guidance about the current pandemic. “The way she speaks now is the way she taught,” says Casey Gayheart Smith ’15. “She has a passion for the Anton Johnson ’14, ’16 MHA topic, a passion for putting others before herself and a passion for helping others navigate public health crises. It’s in her tone, the way she conveys her message. She’s Acton lit the way educating us without us realizing we’re getting educated.” Acton’s passion and empathy didn’t lead her to shy for her students away from the grit of truth during her time as a professor. Teaching public health helped prepare her to speak the Anton Johnson ’14, ’16 MHA planned to hard facts about COVID-19 in a way that’s still reassuring. be a doctor. Then, during his junior year at Ohio State, he enrolled in an Intro to Public Health class taught by Dr. Amy Acton ’96 MPH. She changed his understanding of health care. “I didn’t know too much about what “She’s a happy, nice, fun person, public health was and what it meant,” he says. “Dr. Acton showed me what that world was about — how everything besides but when she’s talking about public medicine also impacts people’s health.” As manager of operations for the cardiac imaging labs at OhioHealth health, you can just see how serious Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Johnson’s role is wide ranging. He helps it is to her. At the same time, you see ensure patients receive safe, quality care and have a positive hospital experience while also tending to department finances the knowledge and hopefulness..” and personnel matters. Celia Wright ’15 “Dr. Acton certainly shaped what I do — now and how I look at what I do now,” Johnson says. “She impacted so many students at Ohio State.” “I remember in class that Dr. Acton would communi- Acton had similar influence on Casey cate to us the harsh realities of the world,” says Wright, Gayheart Smith ’15, project manager for associate strategy officer at Open Society Foundations in the Community Overdose Action Team New York City. “But she did so in this way that had deep at the Dayton and Montgomery County health department. impact. You could just see how she cared to her core. “She opened my eyes, started my love She’s pure compassion. for public health, and is the reason I chose “She’s a happy, nice, fun person, but when she’s talking the field I’m in today,” Smith says. “Dr. about public health, you can just see how serious it is to Acton made me understand how much her. At the same time, you see the knowledge and social determinants determine whether hopefulness. She communicates in such a distinct way one ends up in medical care or not.” that captures severity while also treading a path forward.” Ceila Wright ’15 also credits Acton for Severity and hardship aren’t strangers to Acton. Raised a career choice that led to her current role as associate strategy officer at Open in Youngstown, Ohio, she was 3 when her parents Society Foundations in New York City. divorced and her mother took custody of her and her “I think a lot of people trace their brother. She lived in 18 different places in a 12-year decision to major in public health to Dr. period, including in a tent one winter, before eventually Acton’s influence,” Wright says. “Everyone going to stay with her dad and his relatives. who is around her wants to be like her.” Although Acton didn’t speak to her students in detail about her personal hurdles, they understood she knew of what she taught. She radiated toughness and authority right along with humanity.
30 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Acton pauses in a hallway of the Ohio Statehouse as she heads to the governor’s offi ce.
“When I first had her as a professor,” Johnson says, briefings. She calls the jacket a symbol for them, but it’s “even though I was a young college male and African also a reminder of the expertise serving as her bedrock. American, I still felt like I could relate to Dr. Acton and “It’s important that she’s basing recommendations on that she understood the challenges that so many science,” says Amy Ferketich, an Ohio State professor of disadvantaged people face.” epidemiology and former colleague of Acton. “She’s really meDalist Now, everyone faces the challenge of COVID-19. listening to the Centers for Disease Control and honors Acton understands the scope and the specifics. She is Prevention recommendations and other scientific The Ohio State working to pave a way forward for the entire state, just as experts and using science, public health practices and University Alumni she did for each of her students. standards to make decisions.” Association has “We saw all these qualities in the classroom,” Wright Acton delivers that complex science to us in an easy-to- named Acton says. “This has been like a cosmic nod to say, yes, she open package. its 2020 Alumni really was as great as we thought she was.” “She’s not talking in high-level medical terminology,” Medalist, the association’s ● ● ● says Gayheart Smith of the Dayton and Montgomery top honor. County health department. “You feel as though you’re Details on other Ohioans encounter Acton everywhere: on T-shirts and hearing from your mom or a trusted family member. alumni award coffee mugs, in songs and videos, and in other tributes to “She continues to reiterate through her messages that recipients will be her candor that cuts through so much confusion. she very much understands that we’re all living in this announced The attention, Acton says, makes her uncomfortable. hard, unprecedented time, but that she’s here for us and in the fall issue. She’s quick to pass credit to all Ohioans — from the that we’ve got to be there for each other.” governor to individual citizens — and she gets emotional Much remains uncertain about COVID-19 and our when praising the 1,100 employees of her Ohio lives. Our way is still shrouded in fog. But the Buckeye in Department of Health, and every doctor, nurse and the white medical coat — with her confident and kindly health care worker on the pandemic’s frontlines. manner — sees light ahead for us. A physician since 1994, Acton acknowledges those “Together,” Acton tells Ohioans, “we’ll build a resilient,
Photos: Courtesy of Anton Johnson; McCulty Jo (Acton) medical partners by wearing her white coat at news strong path forward.”
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 31 COVID-19: Andrew Thomas ’95 MD, ’00 MBA Leading the way from a pivotal role
Chief Clinical Officer Andrew Thomas shares insights on the preparations of his university, city and state
STORY BY JOSHUA WRIGHT | PHOTO BY JO McCULTY
RESPONDING TO MASSIVE CHALLENGES such as This Buckeye’s path to that broad base of the coronavirus pandemic requires the ability to experience began with an early appreciation for skillfully perform as part of an ensemble cast. It’s doctors and their work. Growing up in the hard to imagine anyone better suited for the role northeast Ohio village of Louisville, Thomas recalls than Andrew Thomas ’95 MD, ’00 MBA. the admiration his grandparents had for their As chief clinical officer of The Ohio State physicians, and it influenced him to begin weighing University Wexner Medical Center, Thomas a career in medicine as a young boy. After earning already had close relationships with many of his undergraduate degree at Harvard, where he Ohio’s key players, both inside and outside the studied science and history, he pursued his medical university. It’s a network he has helped cultivate in degree and residency at Ohio State. his 29 years at Ohio State. When talking about Ohio’s COVID-19 response, Thomas honed his expertise in patient care in which began in January, Thomas speaks of his own more than two decades of work in internal role only to illuminate the rapid, synergistic work of a medicine. A master’s in business administration greater team. In a recent interview, he spoke about gave him crucial insights into leadership as well as how the university and medical center approached a deeper understanding of the supply chain preparations, how early decisions helped Ohio flatten challenges the pandemic would present. And the the curve and how he came to occasionally share time value he has long placed on people and with Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton ’96 MPH relationships enabled him to expedite decisions in during the daily coronavirus news briefings that collaboration with trusted partners. became a focal point for many Ohioans.
32 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Andrew Thomas is chief clinical officer of Wexner Medical Center and a faculty member in the College of Medicine. OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 33 COVID-19: Andrew Thomas ’95 MD, ’00 MBA
How did the university and medical center So the supply side was down and the demand side conceptualize their response to the pandemic? was up, which you can imagine makes for a lot We knew that we needed to prepare in three of complexity. separate ways, and all of them needed to be aligned. From a staff perspective, one of our big One is as a health care institution. Obviously, we contingencies was based on the fact that our staff is take care of patients from across the state, across the just as much at risk of becoming ill as anyone in the region. Another is as an employer, one of the largest community. We needed to be prepared for staff employers in Ohio. And third is as a community. We absences due to illness. provide housing to students, so we have an And then from a space perspective, really it was a infrastructure here for everything from how people relatively quick assessment of how we could handle learn to how they get their meals to how they exercise. what are called level one, two and three surges. We needed to prepare just like any city might prepare. With a level one surge, you open up kind of routine care spaces but use them for different purposes. A level two surge is when you start taking other sorts of care spaces inside your walls and using them for COVID-19 care. And then a level three surge is “The university’s decision when you break outside your walls and look for an option in the community to provide care.
to close campus was Looking back, what do you see as some of the central decisions that helped Ohio address the another saving grace for this pandemic? One of the first difficult decisions was to limit the community, when you think scope of the Arnold Classic and fitness expo. That decision was made at a time when we had zero about the thousands of people cases announced in Ohio. I was at the table with a number of other people for that discussion, and I’m just grateful that the who would have been mayor and governor made the really tough decision to forego what was a huge economic boon to our living in close quarters.” community. I think it was clear that the disease was already in our area, in our state, at that time — we — Dr. Andrew Thomas ’95 MD, ’00 MBA just hadn’t found the right person to test yet to prove it was here. When the first case was announced in the And then I think the university’s decision to close United States, we had a conference call the campus was another saving grace for this following day with about 80 people who really community, when you think about the thousands of spanned the entire university. We were looking at a people who would have been living in close quarters. global pandemic that would put a different set of stresses and strains on the system. When we think How did your business education factor into the about the three big buckets of preparedness, role you have played in the response? they’re known as the three S’s — staff, space and Fisher College of Business was a great learning supply chain. experience for me. It was incredibly valuable as an adult to study outside of medicine after seven years What were some of the serious problems you of medical school and residency and for two years ran into early? be surrounded by people who thought differently, One of the weird variables of this outbreak was who saw the world differently than I did. our supply chain disruption, since China was the When I think about the ability to break up a first country where the infection became evident. complex problem into its component parts, come But there are other pieces and parts of our supply up with ranges of solutions for each one of those chain that come from Italy or other countries that parts and then kind of marry it back into a solution have also been affected. that fits the whole problem — that’s a really And that’s just on the supply side. When you important thing I learned in my strategy classes and think about the demand side, it’s not just hospitals other business classes. in central Ohio or Ohio that needed more personal So I think it gave me a different perspective on how protective equipment. Hospitals across the country to see the business of medicine and the world in front and the world were all trying to buy the same stuff. of me that has really benefited me over the years.
34 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI In this medical center setting, managing How did you come to play such a central role in Thomas talks with, complexity is a really important part of taking care the response outside of the university? from left, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther; of a large organization. That’s all part of the way That’s part of the benefit of having been at Ohio Dr. Nicholas Kreatsoulas, that business school helps you think in a different State for 29 years. I have a lot of longstanding and chief clinical officer of way about how that complexity works, and how you deep-seated relationships in the community, such as Mount Carmel Health can push a button here or pull a lever there and with other chief medical officers in town or the CEO System; and Dr. Bruce make sure you get the ultimate outcome that serves of the Central Ohio Trauma System. Vanderhoff, chief medical officer of OhioHealth, at the organization. A lot of that comes from building strong a care facility set up as a relationships and a good network of people. I don’t precaution at the Greater Beyond your work in hospital administration, need to stop and explain myself every minute Columbus Convention you teach in the College of Medicine and also see because people know me and they know how I work Center. patients, correct? and communicate. So when I say, “Please do this,” Yes, that’s true. During spring semester, I taught a there’s a lot of trust there. course in the biomedical sciences honors program for When it comes to advising folks at the Ohio undergraduate seniors who are mainly going on to Department of Health or through state assist frontline medical school. I’ve taught that course for 10 or 11 government, I also had pre-existing relationships staff members Your gift can support years. So we met every Tuesday and Thursday using with a number of the people. So I kind of start out health care workers, Zoom. And I still see patients, which is very with a level of credibility, which is helpful. research efforts, equipment important to me. Most of us in primary care and purchases and public health even a lot of specialties transitioned to do more by joshua wright is a senior writer for The Ohio State projects. give.osu.edu/healtogether
Photo: Courtesy of the City of Columbus phone and video with our patients. University Wexner Medical Center.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 35 COVID-19: Linda Saif ’71 MS, ’76 PhD Deep knowledge is the best ally Scientist Linda Saif has long been a trusted partner when the world stumbles into a pandemic
STORY BY TRACY TURNER ROBINSON | PHOTOS BY JO McCULTY
GROWING UP IN NEW ALBANY, OHIO, Linda Saif government’s Ministry of Agriculture. ’71 MS, ’76 PhD was fascinated by the livestock, During the current outbreak, Saif has again been chickens and other animals that inhabited her called upon, this time to work with other Ohio family’s small farm. That young girl’s curiosity, State researchers on a test to detect antibodies in bolstered by decades of scientific inquiry and those who have had COVID-19. She also is research, has taken her around the globe to battle working with Wexner Medical Center physicians pandemics that have afflicted millions of people. on a plasma treatment for those severely affected. Saif has spent more than 40 years at Ohio State Both could be critical in understanding and engaged in the study of coronaviruses, immunity controlling the pandemic. and vaccines as a renowned virologist and The list of Saif’s internationally recognizable immunologist. Her lab was the first in the world to accolades is long — and includes becoming the first document the interspecies transmission of woman to earn the esteemed Wolf Prize in coronaviruses from wild ruminants to cattle and Agriculture — and so, too, is her roster of grateful from cattle to poultry. protégés: Saif has spent decades serving as a That contribution to the understanding of scientific advisor and mentor to grad students and coronaviruses — which include SARS, MERS and post-docs, many of whom are now prominent now COVID-19 — led the World Health scientists and animal health experts. Organization to seek her out for its team And what of that curious girl who thought her combatting the 2003 SARS outbreak. Her affinity for animals might one day lead to a career laboratory has since served as a WHO reference as a veterinarian? She’s an internationally lab for animal coronaviruses, and in 2013, she recognized scientist whose work has helped protect battled MERS as an advisor to the Saudi Arabian citizens of the world.
36 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Linda Saif works with Andrea Fodorne Mathe on an infectious disease preparedness project in her lab on the Ohio State Wooster campus.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 37 COVID-19: Linda Saif ’71 MS, ’76 PhD
Saif has studied What has kept you fascinated by coronaviruses MERS is ongoing in the Middle East, and as we coronaviruses for throughout your career? What makes them so know, the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading more than 40 years, and killing people. consulting with ripe for research and discovery? the World Health Coronaviruses have a very large genome, so they As new coronaviruses emerge, we must Organization and are continually changing and evolving. It is continually find new technologies to prevent and other experts around challenging to try to understand their genetic control the diseases they cause. Understanding the the globe. makeup and how they evolve, jump species immune responses and how to develop vaccines and barriers, circumvent their hosts’ immune response treatments for these emerging CoVs remains my and cause disease. All of these unanswered major goal and research focus. questions make them intriguing to study in hosts such as swine, cattle, wildlife and humans. In Most of us are learning about this topic for the cattle, we discovered that closely related bovine first time, but you must have seen early on how coronaviruses (CoVs) can spill over from wild this pandemic could spread. What was it like to ruminants. Bovine CoVs can cause multiple watch it unfold? disease syndromes — respiratory, enteric and Even to me, knowing the history and evolution of winter dysentery — depending on an animal’s age coronaviruses, it was surprising to see SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory tract microecology. (the virus that causes COVID-19) appear so quickly, I find it fascinating that in parallel to the be so devastating and spread via respiratory emergence of new coronaviruses in humans, several infections on such an unprecedented global scale new CoVs have emerged in swine just in the past through the entire human population. However, decade, potentially from bats (as was the case for SARS and MERS were the unheeded harbingers SARS, MERS and COVID-19), but also recently that signaled how devastating coronaviruses can be from birds. Likewise, since SARS first appeared in when they can transmit efficiently and rapidly in 2002, we have witnessed the emergence of two humans with no immunity. additional human CoVs — MERS and COVID-19. Also, unlike with SARS and MERS, there were
38 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI many pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic according to some reputable sources). We now face individuals who could transmit the virus. SARS the ominous threat of other emerging and showed us that diseases can hitchhike on airplanes, devastating viral infections — including the ongoing so a new disease emerging in China may cross oceans COVID-19 pandemic, part of a living history for and continents to surface in the United States within each of us. Virology certainly remains at the the time it takes a plane to circumnavigate the globe. forefront for disease research, both in human and We have experienced devastating disease veterinary medicine. epidemics, with several swine coronaviruses causing the loss of millions of pigs worldwide, yet these emerging animal CoV diseases have been largely disregarded outside the veterinary virology community. Global efforts and a new generation of “My first glimpse of a viral particle bright and dedicated young scientists are needed to combat these deadly emerging viral diseases in humans and animals. was through an electron microscope
What drew you to virology over other branches at Ohio State during one of my of science? What would you say to students considering your field? virology graduate courses.” Growing up on a small farm, I witnessed firsthand the infections and deadly diseases that — Linda Saif ’71 MS, ’76 PhD microbes could cause in livestock and pets. Working in a research lab at the Ohio Agricultural We’ve all made personal choices in hopes of Research and Development Center, first as an protecting ourselves and our loved ones from undergraduate at the College of Wooster and later COVID-19. How have you changed your daily as a microbiology graduate student at Ohio State, habits? What enduring lessons do you hope the I observed the “footprints” left by viruses in the world learns from this experience? cells and tissues they destroyed. I recognized the I do most of my shopping online or via pick-up devastating diseases they caused in humans and orders. I telework from home as much as possible, animals. and I attend conferences and communicate with My first glimpse of a viral particle was through an students, staff and faculty using Zoom or Skype. I electron microscope at Ohio State during one of my think many of these trends will continue to some virology graduate courses. That instrument was my extent post-COVID-19. What I hope will emerge is a telescope to observe an unimagined nanocosmos greater appreciation of science and scientists, containing the Lilliputian world of viruses! teachers, medical workers and first responders and a Viruses cannot reproduce outside a living cell. recognition of their dedication and contributions They are the bioterrorists of the cell, hijacking its during this pandemic. Hopefully, a major response to replication machinery to exploit it for their own COVID-19 will be better preparedness and increased function and ultimately killing the host cell. The research funding to combat the next pandemic. power of such a small adversary has been evident throughout history, such as during the influenza tracy turner robinson ’92, ’00 ma is a writer and virus pandemic of 1918 that claimed at least 20 content strategist in the College of Food, Agricultural million lives (and perhaps more than twice that, and Environmental Sciences.
Helping Ohio’s farmers endure
Ohio State University Extension is adapting a strategy implemented during the challenging 2019 growing season to guide farmers through the unprecedented challenges of 2020. When restaurants and schools closed and consumers began making most of their meals at home, agriculture supply chains were thrown into disarray. Those effects will ripple through the industry for months and even years. Learn how the Lean On Your Land Grant Task Force is helping farmers manage their farms, understand fluctuating markets, gain access to assistance and emerge strong from these challenges. go.osu.edu/extensionresponse
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 39 COVID-19 Special Report Look for the helpers
THE FRED ROGERS QUOTE IS UBIQUITOUS NOW, but it is still so deeply comforting: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” We did not have to look far to find Buckeyes — alumni, students, staff, faculty — who have focused their skills, their ingenuity and their generous hearts in service to those affected by the pandemic.
Lori Criss ’91 ’92 MSW director of the ohio department of mental health and addiction services
MUCH OF THE WORK WE DO is based on relationships, and COVID-19 has really forced us to think differently about what that means. How do you build a therapeutic alliance when you can’t be Powell Pharmacy owner Emlah Tubuo makes a home delivery. together? We’ve dedicated great effort to connecting with people through Emlah Tubuo ’10 PharmD technology, and it’s helping people continue or start treatment and enabling owner of powell pharmacy and assistant professor quick problem-solving with community of pharmacy practice in the college of pharmacy partners. There are some people who are more vulnerable to the stress of this, and I SHUT DOWN MY LOBBY March 15 You can’t prescribe your way out of it’s our responsibility to see them and because pharmacists are often the first anything. I learned this growing up in meet their needs. Still, none of us are line of exposure. We still do consulta- Cameroon. I had a difficult childhood. exempt from the grief caused by this tions, and I do a few deliveries each day We didn’t have much access to health pandemic. Our job is to support the and I love it. care. I’ve had malaria 20, 30 times. I mental health of all Ohioans. The stress, There’s an independent living facility would take leftover medication my mom fear and anxiety we’re all feeling is near us with seniors who get prescrip- had from having malaria, cholera, normal. It’s heartbreaking to watch what tions here. We started delivering there typhoid. Then we moved closer to a everyone is going through. At the same first, then we donated masks. We’ve hospital where I came in contact with time, it’s inspiring to see how resilient made hand sanitizers for first nurses, physicians and pharmacists from people are. We didn’t realize how capable responders. I treat everyone like America who came as volunteers. I was we all are of doing hard things. What family because people need to feel so inspired. So now, with all my training gives me hope is how engaged everybody supported. That’s why I created our from Ohio State, I am able to help people still is in solutions. There will be a better pharmacy. I like to give people with all my resources. It fills my heart. — day. — as told to todd jones information, empower them. as told to ross bishoff
40 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Steve Haghiri others. I’m no hero. Save that reference for the comic books. This is what we do at The Ohio State University! This is who we are. registered nurse, ross heart hospital cardiac We’re in service to the university and the electrophysiology lab community. It’s important. The scope and magnitude of this HOW DID I END UP COLLECTING nasal swab pandemic is so big. In all my 35 years of samples for testing and diagnosis during a nursing, I’ve never seen anything shake pandemic? That’s easy — I volunteered. A lot the entire country like this. Maybe 9/11. of people told me I was crazy to do so at my We’re in a real battle. We don’t have ripe age of 57. They said, “You’re an old man. infinite resources to fight this thing. You’re a good demographic for contracting Buckeyes don’t quit when it gets tough. COVID. Don’t go around this stuff.” But I Teamwork is part of our fabric. We have wanted to battle. I’m an old-school nurse. unity, a family feeling. I hope we are all The needs of the many outweigh the needs of making William Oxley Thompson proud the one or the few. now. I know Woody would approve. I pray I’m managing risk, anxiety and job my best is good enough. — as told to performance. Some days are better than todd jones
Hiba Shamma ’13 “I thought, technician specialist and if I have laboratory coordinator, battelle the chance I’M NOT AFRAID OF COVID-19, even though I know I should be. I’ve seen what it to make a does to people. I was born in the U.S. but grew up in the Middle East. As Palestinians, difference, we went through every day thinking we would die. I had classmates whose homes then I’ll do were bombed at night. They didn’t survive. it — even I didn’t know that was scary. I just thought, “Yay, I’m alive.” Every day is a new day. if I risk That’s why I’m so happy all the time. I thought, if I have the chance to make a my life. I difference, then I’ll do it — even if I risk my life. I volunteered to go to New York with volunteered other Battelle employees. We’re decontaminating N95 respirator and to go to New surgical masks so doctors and nurses can use them again. We’re working in four York with trailers on a Long Island parking lot. We report at 3 in the morning and our shift lasts other Battelle until 3 p.m., seven days a week. All these nurses and doctors write their names on the employees.” masks we’re getting to make sure they get them back and no one else wears them. Seeing all these names makes me so sad. I’m not superstitious, but some small, silly things have been happening, making me feel like, “This is a sign. I’m meant to Hiba Shamma helped develop and deploy a mask be here.” — as told to todd jones decontamination system in her work at Battelle.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 41 COVID-19 Special Report
Student and CEO Aaron Westbrook wears a protective mask made on one of the 3D printers.
Aaron Westbrook
founder and ceo of form5 prosthetics, third-year student, marketing major
FORM5 PROSTHETICS HAS BEEN GROWING doctors on our board. So we had created our IMMENSELY, so we reconstructed our board own face shield designs. They’re reusable and “I asked our of directors going into 2020. We were all so adaptable. This all happened in, like, four days. engineers, ‘Is this excited for the future and all these events we Our goal in the first six to eight weeks was to had planned and then, boom, Coronageddon. produce 10,000 face shields and mail them possible?’ And Everything changed. anywhere they’re needed. We’ve heard a lot I saw that in Europe people with 3D printers, from rural communities especially. We print every single person makers, were helping with PPE shortages by them and get them out as fast as possible. We printing face shields for health care workers. I also sent out a call to makers who have capacity said, ‘Yes, let’s do asked our engineers, “Is this possible?” And to print our shield to help us meet the orders. every single person said, “Yes, let’s do this.” We’ve been targeting anyone who needs them, this.’ Everyone was Everyone was up ’til midnight each night, not just those on the frontlines. This is what we messaging me, texting me ideas, parts to print. do. This is our mission: empowering people to up ’til midnight We found open-source designs, modified them interact with their world and their future. — as each night.” and developed our own based on feedback from told to ross bishoff
42 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Jessica Jolly ’13 MHA, morning, I was talking with our director of nursing, and I just had a moment ’14 MPH where I was overwhelmed with emotion. I started to tear up because I felt very chief operating officer at upset that we were losing people swla center for health services, lake charles, louisiana unnecessarily. Personally, it is … it’s almost … it’s unbelievable. I guess I THIS CLINIC HAS BEEN IN LOUISIANA didn’t think I would ever witness more than 41 years. About 60% to 70% of something like this in my lifetime. the 25,000 patients we serve are people of I’m so tired, but we’ve got to keep color, and we know that’s one of the groups going. I pray daily, asking that we’ll have that has really been impacted. Their grace to get through all of this. I’m COVID-19 mortality rates are extremely honored to be able to serve, unfortunately much higher because of especially among vulnerable populations chronic underlying health issues. and communities. It feels like a calling. It has been tough, to be honest. One — as told to todd jones
Nick Linkenhoker ’10 executive director, worthington resource pantry, worthington, ohio
MARCH 14 WAS OUR FIRST DAY under our new distribution model. In those first 30 days, we saw a 76% increase in visits to the pantry. We had a 595% increase in new families over the same period last year. We’re serving a whole lot of new folks who never anticipated they would need a food pantry. They had good jobs, they were doing just fine and then all of sudden, everything just kind of stopped for them. January, February, we were pretty much steady, maybe even a little down from where we were the year before in number of visits, and then all of a sudden, just a huge increase. That’s unprecedented. Nick Linkenhoker and volunteers Julie Winland ’01, middle, and Julie Mullen O’Donnell ’89, right, We’ve been a strong proponent of the have been busier than ever before at the Worthington Resource Pantry. choice model, where folks can come and shop with us like they would in a grocery store. We almost overnight had to change to “We’re serving a whole lot of new folks who a model where we had to pre-pack everything. Folks drive up, they don’t get never anticipated they would need a food out of their car; volunteers get it loaded up. The people who are shopping with us pantry. They had good jobs, they were doing here really are our neighbors. Their kids go to school with our kids. They’re sitting just fine and then all of sudden, everything next to us in a church pew or they’re playing on the same soccer team. just kind of stopped for them.” — as told to jasmine hilton
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 43 COVID-19 Special Report
Jessica Huang
leader of the chinese american student association, third-year student majoring in industrial and systems engineering
FOR SOME INTERNATIONAL and underserved areas. We’re also trying STUDENTS, this is the equivalent of to start up a local version of that for living in Australia or Europe. You’re far places here in Ohio. from home and your family’s probably I’ve had a lot of positive, strong not here. And you’re probably not influences helping me through. We’re fluent in the language. The Chinese working on a bingo board for our American Student Association did a lot members to kind of help keep their of connecting and matching people mind off things. Something fun and Gabriel Lockhart ’09, with temporary housing at first. A lot light. That, and raising money for masks of people were worried about either and other PPE. Having that to focus on ’13 MD being stuck here, or if they were outside of things like Zoom has been working here, being sent back home very helpful. It gets me up and pulmonologist at national jewish and not being able to come back to functioning throughout the day. health in denver who volunteered their work. I think next year’s gonna be really at mount sinai medical center in new york city We’re working with the Midwest interesting. I think it’ll be a cool Chinese American Student Association opportunity, maybe for new and Chinese American organizations collaborations or events to focus on the WHEN I ARRIVED IN NEW YORK, there from other schools to raise money to was an air of tension. Every single issues that have been brought up. buy masks and other PPE for hospitals person there was wearing a mask. — as told to jasmine hilton People were trying to maintain distance as much as possible, which is really hard to do in that city. At the hospital, it was a well-executed system. But there was still a lot of palpable stress among the staff. I usually worked about 12 to 13 hours a day, and it was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. This is a disease course I’ve never seen before. I was racking my brain to figure out how these patients were reacting the way they were. One unfortunate memory involved two patients who were on ventilators. I thought we were approaching a test to see if they could breathe on their own. They developed heart failure and they died suddenly. Seeing patients dying without their loved ones was a horrible experience that I’ll never forget. I carry good memories as well. I was so impressed by the resiliency of the team I worked with. They stood strong Jessica Huang ordered 200 protective masks to donate to the Ohio At Home Health Care Agency. against what seemed like an insurmountable force. The way that firefighters run to a fire, this was my role to play. This is my specialty, and “For some international students, this is the I’m young and healthy. This was equivalent of living in Australia or Europe. You’re absolutely something that I needed to do. — as told to joshua wright far from home and your family’s probably not here.”
44 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Twinkle Schottke, right, and Michelle Tiburzio ’17 deliver bags filled with goods for expectant moms to LifeCare Alliance, a health-focused Columbus nonprofit organization that partners with Moms2B.
Twinkle Schottke ’93 MA program director, moms2b, a comprehensive prenatal and first-year-of-life program supported by ohio state
IT WAS REALLY HARD TO CANCEL our isolated in their homes. What they have “Out of the in-person sessions because that’s our lives. appreciated is we’re delivering meals and care When I get up in the morning, I look forward packages to them every week. A mom called goodness of their to those sessions. How many families will and said, “A highway patrolman dropped off come? What babies will we see? But we had my food. When I saw him, I got scared, but he hearts, people in to keep going. I mean, come on, you have to was smiling and getting all this stuff out of his our community or our moms don’t have healthy babies. We’re car.” He told her, “We’re helping out.” That going strong, taking our program from made me cry. … I felt that in my heart. are jumping in to in-person to online. Oh my gosh, we’ve People bring things to my porch every worked so hard to do that and to maintain week. We get calls. What do you need? What help our moms.” those relationships. can we do to help? Out of the goodness of For a lot of our moms, this is no different their hearts, people in our community are than what they experience on a regular basis. jumping in to help our moms. — as told to They often don’t have food. They are often ross bishoff
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 45 COVID-19 Special Report Forging a path forward
NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES has changed in the past few months. Our perspective has changed, and that has created opportunity to look inward and consider new approaches to the most significant aspects of our lives. On the subjects of children, work, money, loss, creativity and sacred end-of-life decisions, we turned to Ohio State faculty and staff members for guidance and food for thought.
of job boards may have increased since your last search, begin Getting back to work by choosing two that closely reflect your search goals.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR BRAND. If you or a loved one has lost a job or work in the last few Updating your résumé, references and social media profiles months, first allow yourself to feel the grief and loss, says is critical to a successful search. With each application, it is Marilyn Bury Rice, director of the Bill and Susan Lhota Office equally important to tailor your materials to highlight how your of Alumni Career Management at Ohio State. “Lean on family experiences align with the potential employer’s job description. and friends, and take solace in the fact that unemployment is not a result of anything you did or didn’t do.” To face and USE THE 80/20 RULE. embrace the future, Rice suggests you start with these steps. Evaluations of successful searches have shown it is most efficient to spend 80% of your time networking and 20% on CREATE A PLAN. the formal search process. — margie gilbert The first step is to manage your immediate circumstances by applying for unemployment and asking your former employer for a letter of reference. Here tO HelP Visit the Bill and Susan Lhota Office of RESEARCH THE MARKET. Alumni Career Management for information on job searching, Consider looking beyond the traditional boundaries of your professional development and more. Though the physical office field. For example, you may find that your skills comfortably in Longaberger Alumni House is closed for now, staff members transfer from the public to private sectors. Because the number are providing services virtually. go.osu.edu/alumnicareers Illustrations: Patrick Kastner Patrick Illustrations:
46 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Guide children through emotions Find your financial footing
Parents can’t prevent children from being affected by the changes Unemployment has spiked, the stock market is volatile, and states caused by COVID-19, but they can influence how children process are taking tentative first steps toward reopening business. Those those changes, says Kisha Radliff, associate professor of school headlines have a lot of us reconsidering our personal spending psychology in the College of Education and Human Ecology. She priorities. Whether this is a time for reflection or a time of critical has some hopeful advice for anyone who’s taking care of children financial decision making, Matt Sheridan, senior lecturer in finance in right now. Fisher College of Business, has a few pointers.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST. DON’T CALL IT A BUDGET. Just like we’ve learned on airplanes: Place the symbolic oxygen mask “The term ‘budget’ to a lot of people is a four-letter word, so to do a on yourself first. Talk to other parents. Consider starting a gratitude kind of mental trick, call it a strategic plan,” Sheridan says. “It’s what practice. (Radliff has been checking out a free one online with you think a good business does in a crisis. Prioritize the areas that “Happiness Lab” Professor Laurie Santos.) Take a break from work provide you safety, shelter and food and then work down the list into and routine. more ‘wants’ and experiences with the remaining money.”
NARRATE YOUR PHYSICAL-DISTANCING BEHAVIORS. UNDERSTAND THE FINE PRINT. “Internally we know what we’re doing, but we need to be cognizant Homeowners unable to make mortgage payments because of the of talking out loud [for our kids],” Radliff says. “Think about pandemic might be eligible for mortgage forbearance, thanks to processing those interactions: ‘We crossed the street because it’s economic stimulus legislation. “Forbearance doesn’t mean forgiven, important right now.’ ‘Here’s why I’m wearing a mask.’” just delayed. Some banks are allowing people to skip the payments and put them on the back end of the mortgage,” Sheridan says. HELP THEM FIND THE WORDS. That’s an attractive option, especially since mortgage rates are likely “When we see unusual behaviors, or we’re seeing them more than to stay low, making refinancing worthwhile. But some banks structure we did in the past, ask, ‘Are you having a really hard time right now?’ forbearance with a balloon payment — a large payment due at the Sometimes they’re telling us with their behaviors. Help them express end of a period of forbearance. “That’s just not feasible for a lot of that by giving them words,” Radliff says. “Then reassure them: ‘It’s borrowers,” he says. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau OK to feel that way. What can we do differently?’ Sometimes kids will (consumerfinance.gov) offers information in jargon-free language. open up when they’re doing activities with you. If we’re walking and talking, they might start saying stuff.” SHOP THE MARKET. “For a lot of individuals, this is going to be about survival and taking LET THEM KNOW YOU’RE FEELING IT, TOO. on more debt because government assistance isn’t enough to pay While parents should modulate their emotions in front of children, the bills. It’s still better than not having shelter or food,” Sheridan they should display and narrate those emotions. “You do want them says. “I really like Bankrate.com. They have good advice, but it’s also to see they’re not the only ones who are frustrated. ‘Mommy’s having a place where you can search nationally for the lowest interest rates. a hard time, too, so we need to try to be kind with each other and Make sure you don’t have loyalty to one financial institution. Make think through these things.’” — kristen scHmidt sure, with any loan, you’re paying the least amount of interest. That is always in your best interest.” — kristen scHmidt
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 47 COVID-19 Special Report
(Finally) create a trust and will Cope with loss and uncertainty
We put off making a will for obvious reasons. “You’re talking “You’d have to be a robot to not feel anxious right now,” says about your own mortality when you sit down with an estates Sophie Lazarus ’11 MA, ’15 PhD, clinical assistant professor in and trusts lawyer,” says Bruce Johnson, emeritus professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Wexner law in Moritz College of Law. Yet mortality is on our minds right Medical Center. “There is an understandable hugeness of loss. now. “I think crises like these present a good opportunity for We’re experiencing change, and change is painful. We all really people to think about this and actually do something about it,” struggle with change. One quote that really stands out to me is Johnson says. by Eckhart Tolle, who said, ‘Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in YOU AREN’T REQUIRED TO SEE A LAWYER, your life for something new to emerge.’” BUT YOU PROBABLY SHOULD. “It’s very easy to go online now to get forms — there’s nothing BE KIND TO YOURSELF. illegal about doing it yourself. But I don’t think it’s a good idea,” “It’s really easy to compare yourself to other people or to your Johnson says. “There are enough quirks in the law that it’s easy productivity or engagement at other times. That’s not really a fair for a layperson to make a mistake. And the mistake isn’t evident comparison. We tend to think that talking to ourselves in a harsh when they do a DIY will from an online source. When they die, way is going to motivate us, but it tends to do the opposite. It really then the mistake comes roaring out.” makes us feel worse or discouraged. Give yourself a bit of grace.”
HONOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR EMOTIONS. A LAWYER WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT MORE “There’s going to be sadness, disappointment and frustration. THAN JUST A WILL. Remind yourself that it’s OK to feel that way. When we allow A trust — a form of property ownership in which a trustee ourselves to just feel emotions, they tend to not last very long. manages property for beneficiaries — can be created and set in When we get pulled into resisting, not wanting or trying to fix the motion while you’re living. A will — a document giving property emotion, we tend to get stuck in rumination.” to beneficiaries — takes effect only upon a person’s death. It’s also now standard for a trusts and estates lawyer to talk to BROADEN YOUR FOCUS. clients about medical directives, including health care power “One thing that can be helpful at this moment is to connect of attorney, which designates authority to make life-saving with how uncertainty is such a universal difficulty. Everybody, decisions if you can’t. in some way, is struggling with it. Acknowledging that can kick us out of this feeling of isolation and self-focus. I also think just YOU COULD SAVE YOUR FAMILY A LOT OF PAIN, acknowledging it as normal helps.” TIME AND MONEY. “This happens to be an area of the law that generates a PAUSE TO PONDER THE PAST. disproportionately large amount of litigation. It’s a combination of “Look back at a time when you had to make a huge adjustment family dynamics and money — and it doesn’t have to be a lot of or felt, ‘I’ll never get over this, I’ll never get through it,’ and money. People will fight over this; families will fall apart over this,” acknowledge how you came out of it. Or look back at times in Johnson says. — kristen scHmidt history that were full of loss and uncertainty, when things seemed bleak, but know that life went on for people.” — tOdd jOnes Illustrations: Patrick Kastner; icons: Edward Maceyko
48 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Our favorite new habits
We’ve all developed new practices during this time of physical distancing and self-isolation. Which ones would you like to see continue long after the crisis subsides? Alumni answered that question on Facebook.
“Making time for myself to take a walk and read daily.” CRYSTAL DILLON LANGBEIN ’97
“I think it’s vital to continue practicing empathy, kindness and compassion for everyone, including ourselves.” MARCIE HADDOX FONDALE ’95
“Having special hours and conveniences set aside so Thinking about arts and culture the elderly and those most vulnerable can take care of their needs in a far easier manner. Concerts and performances, theaters and museums are where we have gone for centuries to share experiences and hash out This may include specifi c shopping hours and emotions — together. But we can’t do that right now. Rachel availability of goods and even deliveries for those Skaggs, Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Assistant Professor of who need and deserve it. The rest of us can wait Arts Management and a sociologist by training, shared food our turn.” for thought on how COVID-19 might change us as creators and consumers of culture. RANDY TOLEN ’83
SCARCITY BREEDS CREATIVITY. “When you have constraints, you must be creative. We’re all “Doing more with less and having to figure out how to cook a meal out of random things, supporting those who need our how to exercise, how to entertain children while also holding a help and kindness.” job. All of these things are creativity,” Skaggs says. “We’re in our domiciles, so it makes sense that domesticity is emerging from CATHIE BRODIE CLINE ’64, ’81 MPH that. We’re literally going down a list of domestic crafts that are coming back, from capturing the wild yeast in one’s home to making kombucha. We’re asking, ‘What else is there to do, in my “Slower morning routines. house, at this moment?’” Longer walks with the dog and less rushing around to leave IS FOMO OVER? for work. Also, more virtual “People have tried to live a more simple life enhanced by experiences, which is interesting now that we’re all shut up in our hangouts with friends from afar! homes. FOMO (fear of missing out) has been huge the last few It took this pandemic to inspire us to ‘hang out’ years. No one’s missing out on anything right now,” Skaggs says. with our friends from Ohio (we are in Denver) We don’t know how COVID-19 ultimately will affect outings to on a Saturday night, and we want to keep that museums, restaurants and music festivals — or how comfortable we will feel once we are able to go back to our favorite places. connection going.” “People may change their approach to experience.” LAUREN BOYD WISE ’12
TOGETHERNESS CREATES MAGIC. “One concept in sociology is collective effervescence, the idea “Supporting local businesses. that there is something really special about collective experiences. We’re spending primarily with Think of the amazing, overwhelming feeling of being at a sporting small businesses within 5 miles event and having this kind of rush of collective joy or malaise,” Skaggs says. “Collective events or experiences can shape the way of home.” we relate to each other.” — kristen scHmidt DEAN LOHISER ’90
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 49 SUMMER 2020 | Ohio State of Play To the victor goes the bounty
the victory garden — a World War II-era home staple and a low-cost way to add fruits and vegetables to your table. when fresh produce was precious and hard to come by — is Whether this year’s garden will be your first or your back, thanks to long weeks of isolation, reduced access to latest, turn to the experts at OSU Extension for resources grocery stores and our uncanny ability to escape boredom. and advice. Patrice Powers-Barker and Amy Stone, both A garden can be as big or small as you want. You can grow Extension educators in Lucas County, got us started, and in pots, window boxes, in the ground, even indoors. It’s a stress we’re sharing more Extension resources on our digital reliever, a source of pride and accomplishment, fun for children edition. — kristen schmidt
go.osu.edu/victorygarden
Light will be the No. 1 factor in determining which plants succeed. Fruits and vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day.
Consider radishes, Powers- Barker says. They grow quickly and easily — about as close Ideally, you can test to instant garden the pH of your soil for gratification as you clues about which nutrients can get. it needs. If that’s not possible, Stone says, try compost. “It enriches a sandy soil and breaks up clay soil,” she says.
Herbs such as basil and dill are other good options for beginning gardeners. They Cherry tomatoes can grow in the ground are an easy win and or in containers. fun for children. The plants grow quickly and produce frequently.
Know the rules of your homeowners association or apartment complex. Some have restrictions on landscapes. SUMMER 2020 The Object |
Pride and perspective
this pin belongs to ginger smith they’re looking forward to a yet-to-be- stover ’89, ’96 ma, who along with other scheduled campus celebration of the graduates received it as a memento before Class of 2020. Evan graduated in May her first Ohio State commencement. and watched a livestream of the virtual ginger smith A teacher, Stover keeps it tacked to the ceremony surrounded by family at home stover ’89, ’96 ma bulletin board of her home office, where in Harrod, Ohio. it reminds her of that day: She and her “Having to wait [for a future gathering] friend got stuck in traffic and arrived doesn’t change my accomplishments, just in time. A drenching rain soaked though, or the direction my life is taking,” her new blue shoes and stained her feet. he says. “Four years ago, I had no idea (“That’s what I get for wearing blue,” she I’d be graduating from Ohio State with jokes.) Her father, who typically wasn’t two majors or getting accepted to my top affectionate, was the first to find and master’s program. I’m privileged to be embrace her outside Ohio Stadium. the second Buckeye of our family, and The Stover family is proud Evan Stover hopefully not the last.” ’20 followed in his mom’s footsteps, and — mary alice casey evan stover ’20
what do you treasure? Do you have a keepsake tied to Ohio State that you can’t part with?
Photos: McCulty Jo (pin, garden); illustrations: Jason Shults Send us a photo and the tale of your object, and we’ll consider it for a future issue. [email protected].
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 51 WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NM BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SD
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK, WA BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX
VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, ST JOHN MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, SD SUMMER 2020 Power of 10 |
Lessons of CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CA the journey
When we’re able to hit the open road again, we’ll be equipped with insights from this grand pair. Until then, their travel pics inspire us.
unlike her grandson brad ryan ’16 dvm, ’17 mph, who had seen much of the world by the time he was 25, Joy Ryan did not lay eyes on an ocean, a desert or a mountain before her 85th birthday. It was around then that these unlikely travel buddies embarked on the road trip of a lifetime — a gift they have given each other. In the past five years, the Ryans have visited 53 of the 62 U.S. national parks, leaving only eight in Alaska and one in American Samoa to complete the circuit. They have traveled some 40,000 miles through 41 of the lower 48 states, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands on ambitious treks from their homes in Duncan Falls, Ohio, population 900 on a good day. The journey began during Brad Ryan’s fourth year in Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He was struggling with depression, and for him, nature always had been a reliable antidote. Joy Ryan REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS, CA also knew what sadness could do to a soul. She had buried two sons, five months apart, as well as her husband. She was up for a joy ride. So with one phone call and a seven-hour drive, these two tenacious spirits had reached their first destination: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where they set up their tent for the first time at night in a downpour. We caught them on hiatus, waiting out the pandemic like so many of us. The break has given them time to share these lessons from the road (and Brad time to work on a book about their adventures). Until all of us can travel safely again, Grandma Joy and Brad Ryan give us the chance to travel vicariously through their photos and takeaways. Enjoy the trip. — liz alcalde
come along for the ride Follow Brad Ryan and Joy Ryan’s adventures on Instagram @grandmajoysroadtrip and facebook.com/GrandmaJoysRoadTrip.
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK, NV Photos: Cheryl Hutchison (Channel Islands); courtesy of Brad Ryan (all others) SUMMER 2020 | Power of 10
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK, CA
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HI
TRY TRAVELING OUTSIDE But sometimes it’s not about the epic views. It’s I loved seeing these things through her eyes; it 1 YOUR COMFORT ZONE about enjoying those little moments on your way helped me experience joy and wonder and peace. to the summit, too. Brad and Joy: The national parks are a gateway Joy: You just have to keep going, one foot at a to the world! We met people from different cities, LET NATURE HELP YOU time. And sometimes along the way, if you’re states and countries. Many of us didn’t speak a 3 BUILD YOUR RESILIENCE paying attention, there are magical moments that common language, but we shared a common lift you up. experience, and it made all the difference. If you Brad: There’s nothing that the human spirit can’t don’t travel outside your comfort zone, then the endure, and nature and the open road are the USE THE GREAT OUTDOORS world is a very scary place. It’s not an abstract best healers. My grandmother taught me that we 5 idea, this concept of universality: We are all part have the ability to choose joy. AS A CONNECTION POINT of one human family. Joy: When you’re in the parks, you don’t talk VIEW THE WORLD about politics or religion. You just talk about the SLOW DOWN AND TAKE 4 THROUGH OTHERS’ EYES beautiful things you see and the wonderful 2 TIME TO ENJOY LIFE people you meet. We need to see the humanity in Brad: Sometimes it wasn’t what Grandma Joy each other and realize that kindness is the Brad: My grandmother’s living in the moment in said, but the look in her eyes that conveyed what universal common denominator. a way that I never knew how to do. Watching she was feeling. They were in a constant state of Grandma Joy tap into her inner child as she wonder and awe. We’ve had beautiful, epic Brad: When you’re standing in the vast outdoors, rolled down a sand dune at Great Sand Dunes moments like being trapped in a bison herd for you realize we’re all part of one universe in a National Park and Preserve inspired me so much. four hours at Yellowstone, being charged by rapidly fleeting nanosecond of time. We should It helped me to slow down. I have always been moose, walking through the redwood trees, seize every opportunity to connect with those focused on goals, like climbing the mountain. watching the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. around us while we still have breath in our lungs.
54 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK, NV
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, ME CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CA
EMBRACE THE PARKS choose to do along the way to make memories our parks, waters and public lands. We need to 6 AS AN OLDER ADULT that bring you peace and joy. I don’t want to die inhabit these spaces with a sense of reverence sitting in a chair; I’d rather fall off a mountain and respect and be good stewards. They are Brad and Joy: A lot of the national parks offer or something. irreplaceable. Just by visiting and exploring a accessibility guides, and many have wheelchair- park, you are providing support. By purchasing a accessible trails as well as trails that are easier for DON’T FRET, TRY day pass or an annual America the Beautiful pass, you can make a difference. older adults to walk than challenging, hilly climbs. 8 SOMETHING NEW Also, the America the Beautiful senior pass for people 62 and older covers entrance fees at Brad: Grandma Joy’s philosophy is to be unafraid REMEMBER, WE ARE national parks and wildlife refuges and offers lots to try something new. I think that’s a wonderful 10 of discounts. way to look at life. ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Joy and Brad: We’re hearing from people who GIVE TENACITY A TRY, Joy: It doesn’t hurt to try something once. If you say they’re not going to waste another day or that 7 NO MATTER YOUR AGE fail, so what? At least you tried. At 90 years old, I they’re planning to take their mom or grandma on don’t want to have any regrets. I don’t have to their next vacation. That’s really powerful. We’re Brad: My grandmother redefined what it means wake up and wish I’d done this or tried that. Now really proud that not only did we help start that to be an octogenarian — and now a nonagenarian I’ve actually done them! conversation, but we started it in the face of a lot (she turned 90 in March). She’s always willing to of sadness. [The Ryans’ story captured attention try something new; if it doesn’t work out, then SHOW OUR WORLD on social media in August 2019, just as Americans move on. 9 HOW MUCH YOU CARE were absorbing the news of two mass shootings within 13 hours.] You never know when and how Joy: Age isn’t something to fear. Getting older Brad and Joy: All of us need to have an your decisions and actions may inspire others to and dying are very natural things. It’s what you environmental ethic, to support and advocate for approach their lives differently. Photos: Cheryl Hutchison (Channel Islands); Jessica Christine (Acadia); courtesy of Brad Ryan (all others)
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 55 When connection is more important than ever.
Stay close to your alma mater with The Ohio State University Alumni Association app. Find Buckeye stories, news, membership info, club and society opportunities, and spirit — all at your fingertips.
56 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI You told us what you needed, and we listened.
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OUR VISION BOARD MEMBERS Bruce Kettler ’87, Westfield, Ind.; Graduate School: To be the heart of the Buckeye alumni community, Rosa Ailabouni ’01, ’01, Columbus; Kelley Crooks Mary Elizabeth Arensberg ’81, ’93, Columbus; John inspiring and cultivating engaged citizens. ’78, San Antonio, Texas; Craig Friedman ’89, Glenn College of Public Affairs: Mari-jean Siehl ’77, Columbus; Matthew Hall ’93, Columbus; Margie ’06, Hilliard, Ohio; Medicine: Joel Goodnough ’75, OUR MISSION Harris ’82, Houston; Leonard Haynes ’75, ’90 HON, ’79, Jackson, Ohio; Moritz College of Law: Amy Through time and change, we enrich firm Silver Spring, Md.; Janelle Jordan ’98, Minneapolis; Kellogg ’86, Avon, Ohio; Nursing: Kitty Kisker ’66, friendships among Buckeye alumni and The Ohio Cathy Lanning ’00, ’00, ’04, Worthington, Ohio; ’67, Columbus; Optometry: Christopher Smiley State University. Michael Lee ’06, San Francisco; Michael Papadakis ’01, Westerville Ohio; Pharmacy: Marialice Bennett OUR CORE VALUES ’04, New Albany, Ohio; Stacy Rastauskas, ’69, Columbus; Public Health: Stephen Smith ’77, • T radition. We believe in Ohio State. We cherish Worthington, Ohio; Bernie Savarese ’00, ’11, Antioch, Ill.; Social Work: Amy Rohling McGee ’92, the university’s rich and vibrant history and work Summit, N.J.; Gilda Spencer ’83, Vernon Hills, Ill. ’94, Columbus; Veterinary Medicine: Tom Wood to enhance its reputation. ’87, Lorain, Ohio; Wexner Medical Center: Duane • Integrity . We keep our promises. Our reputation EX OFFICIO Amy Rohling McGee ’92, ’94, Reynolds ’04, Smyrna, Ga. rests on honesty, fairness and treating everyone Columbus Claire Burton, student member, Wapakoneta, Ohio ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVES TO with respect. VICE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICES • Service . We go the extra mile. We provide the ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL Academic Affairs: Tahlman Krumm Jr. ’66, ’74, ’78, highest levels of service to our members, growing Chair: Amy Rohling McGee ’92, ’94, Columbus New Albany, Ohio; Athletics: Stephen Chappelear alumni community and the university. Vice Chair: Keith Key ’89, Powell, Ohio ’74, ’77, Pataskala, Ohio; Distance Education and • Quality . We expect to be held to standards of eLearning: Steve Lieb ’09, Columbus; Diversity excellence in everything we do. ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVES TO and Inclusion: Valerie Lee ’76, Gahanna, Ohio; • Diversity . We value diversity. We embrace THE REGIONAL CAMPUSES Enrollment Services: Bradley Myers ’77, ’80, inclusion in everything we do. Lima: Teresa Hirschfeld ’81, St. Marys, Ohio Columbus; Research: Liza Reed ’06, ’10, Cleveland; • Innovation. Our success depends on continuous Mansfield: John Shuler ’85, ’85, Galion, Ohio Student Life: Kelley Griesmer ’93, Gahanna, Ohio; improvement, adaptation and embracing change. Marion: Roger George ’72, ’75, Marion, Ohio Undergraduate Education: Kathryn Koch ’01, Newark: John Whittington ’74, Granville, Ohio BOARD OF DIRECTORS Westfield, Ind.; University Marketing: George Chair: Catherine Baumgardner ’84, ’86, ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COLLEGES Wang ’03, Menlo Park, Calif. Lancaster, Pa. Arts and Sciences: Stephen Habash ’74, ’78, OTHER AREAS REPRESENTED Vice Chair: Vaughn Broadnax ’84, Carmel, Ind. Dublin, Ohio; Fisher College of Business: Sandra Board of Directors: Matt Hall ’93, Columbus Vice Chair: Katy Endsley ’04, ’04, Baltimore, Ohio Harbrecht ’74, ’82, New Albany, Ohio; Dentistry: Foundation Board: Keith Key ’89, Powell, Ohio Treasurer: Mark Eppert ’88, Atlanta Robert Haring ’85, ’87, Dublin, Ohio; Education and WOSU Public Media: Christine Mortine ’84, ’84, ’99, Secretary: Molly Ranz Calhoun ’86, Columbus Human Ecology: Steve Tipps ’80, Flat Rock, N.C.; Columbus Engineering: James Dickey ’83, Westlake, Ohio; Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences:
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 57 Excellence in every sip, philanthropy for every palate. Enjoy a variety of flavors and multiple purchasing options, from single bottle to 4-pack. Plus, your purchase allows you to pay forward in support of Ohio State students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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58 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Fund your legacy with real estate gifts
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Our team will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transfer and sale. Learn more about making a gift of real estate to Ohio State.
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The Ohio State University Foundation does not provide legal, tax or financial advice to its donors or their advisors. We encourage you to review your gift plans with your legal and tax advisor to determine the best plan for you.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 59 WPS MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE WITHOUT WANDER WORRY
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60 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Exclusive savings for your love of rewards side. As part of The Ohio State University®, you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance.
We appreciate groups that bring people together over common values and interests. That’s why we’re proud to offer you exclusive discounts on your insurance. Plus, we offer up to 20% savings when you bundle your home and auto insurance.*
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*Savings compared to stand-alone price of each policy, based on national sample customer data from 2017. Discount amounts do not apply to all coverage or premium elements; actual savings will vary based on policy coverage selections and rating factors. Nationwide has made a fi nancial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members. Products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and a liates, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Trademarks of The Ohio State University are used under license. © 2018 Nationwide AFO-1106AO (11/18)
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 61 Become a homeowner near the same place you made forever friendships, lasting memories, and became an official alum. Recent college graduates could receive a special mortgage interest rate and down payment assistance when they buy a home in Ohio and use the Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Grants for Grads program. Homeownership. It’s Within Your Reach.
MYOHIOHOME .ORG OHIO HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY Find out if you’re eligible at www.myohiohome.org.
62 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI Benefit more from your giving Make a gift to Ohio State and receive income for life
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) with Ohio State helps Sample rates for an immediate you pursue your dreams and supports future Buckeyes charitable gift annuity too. You can enjoy fixed payments for life, along with LIFETIME great tax benefits. AGE ANNUITY RATE
65 4.7% 70 5.1% Donors such as Chris and Karen Kaiser ’79 75 5.8% have found these gifts very appealing. 80 6.9% “Charitable gift annuities are a sensible vehicle 85 8.0% for any retirement plan,” says Chris.
Ask about a CGA at Ohio State today.
Due to state regulations, Ohio State cannot offer charitable gift annuities in all states. The Ohio State University Foundationdoes not provide legal, tax or financial advice to its donors or their advisors. We encourage you to review your gift plans with your legal and tax advisor to determine the best plan for you.
OHIO STATE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 63 SUMMER 2020 | O-H-I-O
A spirited beginning
Our newest alumni never envisioned a spring like this. rest of my life. It was so meaningful to be with them May graduates (from left) Angela Mastronicolas, Brandi that day — at the end, at the place where it started. We Zak, Patrick Finn, Tim Ritchey and thousands of fellow watched the ceremony on TV together at Brandi’s house Buckeyes were eager for their turn in Ohio Stadium, their off campus. Although we didn’t get to be in the ’Shoe, I grand entrance to the alumni family. Ever optimistic feel like it was almost more special because we made it and adaptable, they reveled in their day nonetheless. special. At the end, we all sang ‘Carmen Ohio’ together And they hope to make it back for a future celebration and then decided to march through the Oval and walk of the Class of 2020. “I hadn’t seen these friends for an through campus one last time together. It was amazing. entire month before graduation day,” Mastronicolas says. There are so many memories over the past years, things “I always think: How did I meet these people? I can’t I’m so grateful for. I see a hopeful future in this photo even pinpoint it. That’s the beauty of Ohio State. There because I see myself and my friends still optimistic at are so many people, and somewhere along the road our graduation even though it didn’t pan out the way we you find your people. These are my people, my biggest expected. We still made the best of it with what we had, supporters. These are friends I’ll probably keep for the and it was really special.” — todd jones
how do you spell o-h-i-o? Tag images #BuckeyeForLife on social media or upload them
at osu.edu/O-H-I-O and we’ll consider your pics for a future issue. Photo: McCulty Jo
64 | OSU.EDU/ALUMNI
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Helping students in need, together as Buckeyes.
To all of our incredible alumni who have generously paid forward in support of Ohio State students during the COVID-19 crisis, we can’t thank you enough. And to those interested in assisting, know that you can make a real difference in our students’ lives. From helping meet housing costs to ensuring access to healthy food, see how you can support fellow Buckeyes during these challenging times.
Please visit give.osu.edu/together to see how you can help.