Will we find cures for the world’s devastating diseases? | Is there a way to make our food supply abundant and safe? | Can we produce the next generation of sustainable ENERGY?
The extraordinary people at The Ohio of its darkest days, Ohio State now provides a powerful State University believe the answers platform, unparalleled in scope and opportunity, from to these and other monumental questions will which leaders emerge and change the world. ultimately be “yes.” But for Ohio State’s immense The But for Ohio State campaign is a $2.5 billion breadth and depth of academic programs, outstanding fundraising endeavor that invites those who believe students, world-class scholars, and extensive in Ohio State to invest in our students, our faculty, research capabilities, some of today’s most brilliant and our potential. By supporting Ohio’s land-grant interdisciplinary teams would not be closer than ever institution, alumni, friends, parents, and partners can to finding meaningful solutions for people in Ohio and help us secure educational opportunities for future far, far beyond. generations of students and meet the enormous Instead, because of the talent, intellect, and challenges we face as a society. Together, we will sustain ambition at Ohio State, one of the most comprehensive an enduring tradition of scholarship, service, and pride. universities in the nation, significant progress is But for Ohio State … possible on nearly every front. Founded when Abraham How would you answer? What does Ohio State Lincoln believed education could lead the nation out mean to you? giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu “… I might not have had the What does Ohio State mean to its students?
opportunity to “I have been a Buckeye since I was a little Ohio State gave her not only a presidential girl,” said Elen Costigan ’07, who graduated scholarship but also professors who believed in her magna cum laude from Ohio State with degrees in political and opportunities to achieve her goal. Elen was able to fulfill my dream.” science, Spanish, and economics. Born to a Brazilian design a comprehensive degree program, participate in mother and an American father, Elen grew up near a variety of on-campus organizations such as Amnesty Columbus and always dreamed of attending Ohio State. International, and study abroad in Mexico. She also knew Ohio State could help her fulfill her “Ohio State opened doors for me,” said Elen, now a dream to serve humanity. student at the London School of Economics. “Because During her youth, Elen visited Brazil several times. of Ohio State, I have the education and the skills to help “There was such disparity there,” she remembered. “I make this world more just.” knew I wanted to help somehow.”
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu … people with SEVERE disabilities might What does Ohio State mean to people never regain their with significant health challenges?
Imagine being unable to feed or dress yourself Rezai is a pioneer in deep brain stimulation and independence. because your hands shake uncontrollably— neuromodulation. He chose to work at Ohio State because and then being able to push a button that instantly stops of its enormous potential for impactful discoveries and new the shaking. It changes your life. People with tremor therapies. Deep brain stimulation and neuromodulation are and movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and other multidisciplinary efforts Rezai says can also help people with conditions are living better because of Dr. Ali Rezai, professor depression, addictions, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, of neurological surgery and director of the Center for obesity, and many other conditions. Neuromodulation, and his team of physicians, scientists, “The expertise, creativity, and passion of the Ohio State students, engineers, and specialists at Ohio State. With the team, coupled with a strong collaborative atmosphere and help of an innovative brain pacemaker implant procedure, visionary leadership, has great potential for pushing forward patients’ tremors calm, and their movement is improved. the frontiers of medicine and improving patients’ lives,” Rezai “Being able to help patients improve their quality of life, says. “Neuromodulation holds the promise of transforming the and to play a role in training the students who will further treatment of chronic neurological disorders much like cardiac this research, is highly gratifying,” says Rezai. pacemakers revolutionized the treatment of heart disease.”
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu … our food would not be What does it mean to have Ohio State lead as nutritious the world in producing safe eggs?
“Three to four generations of students that can cause severe illness, especially for people with and safe. have brought us to this moment in time,” compromised immune systems. reflected Dr. Ahmed Yousef, Virginia H. and Frank E. After years of trial and error, Yousef and his students Bazler Professor in Food Safety at Ohio State. Yousef came patented a method of decontaminating egg shells. “We to Ohio State in 1991 “because it was one of the only then worked to go deeper and deeper into the egg, and we universities willing to take on the risk of developing an have now patented a technology that can penetrate the elaborate food safety program,” he said. Yousef’s ensuing shell and decontaminate the entire egg.” research clearly demonstrated a risk worth taking. “Our goal now is to transfer our work from the lab Approximately 12 years ago, Yousef explained, to the market,” Yousef concluded. “Food safety is a global a consortium of Ohio-based egg producers had the issue that is not going away, and Ohio State is on the foresight to fund research at Ohio State that would lead to forefront of developing technologies and solutions to freeing eggs of Salmonella serotype enteritidis, a bacterium address this critical issue.”
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu … we might be no closer to What does Ohio State mean to the future reducing our of energy production?
There are many ways to produce biofuels. from Ohio State’s William G. Lowrie Department of dependence on Every major university is working on it. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Battelle But Ohio Eminent Scholar of Microbiology Dr. F. Robert Memorial Institute, the world’s largest contract research Tabita has spent the better part of his lifetime and more organization, headquartered in Columbus. While Ohio fossil fuels. than 15 years at Ohio State advancing a theory that State researchers are working on producing butanol at butanol, a highly efficient gasoline alternative, can be the test-tube level, Battelle is helping figure out how to produced by genetically altering soil-dwelling bacteria that increase quantities to an industrial level. digest carbon dioxide and hydrogen. “Our process has tremendous potential for producing Tabita is the principal investigator of a $4 million fuels that are more efficient and higher energy than project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. One ethanol and other biofuels,” Tabita said. “It will take several of only 37 “transformational research projects” to receive years to create a system that ultimately produces enough this type of national funding, the project is a cross- butanol to be cost effective, but I believe we have the talent disciplinary effort involving Tabita’s team, colleagues at Ohio State to turn this important idea into a reality.”
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu “… many of the leaders this world so desperately needs would go
undiscovered.” —E. Gordon Gee, President
to play on the world stage in ways we cannot otherwise. You are ‘the people.’ By investing in Ohio State People invest in strength, and Ohio State is stronger through the But for Ohio State campaign, you, our than ever. Our students are better-prepared and more alumni and friends, represent the possibility that exists ambitious than ever. We have attracted faculty stars from when people believe in an enduring mission. With your neurology to materials science to history to English. help, there is no predicting the magnitude of our impact Our research expenditures have reached a record on people’s lives. It is truly without limit. What does Ohio State mean to you? $829 million, and we received more financial support Whether Ohio State is your alma mater or your from more individuals than ever before in the past year. employer, your business incubator or your partner, your It is Ohio State’s time, and the But for Ohio State medical center, your cultural outlet, or the place where “The Ohio State University is about the humanities, the arts, the social sciences, business, campaign will enable us to harness the power of your your children are being educated, you have your own changing people’s lives. It is that simple. education, and so many other fields of study. Because generosity to become a more agile, more responsive ‘But for Ohio State’ story to tell. Give it legs. Give it Improving lives of people in our local communities. of our comprehensive campus in Columbus as well as university that serves our community and our global support. Give it wings by joining our exciting effort to Making a difference here and around the world by our fine extended campuses across the state, Ohio State society with unrestrained vigor. Our future, your future, lead boldly into the future.” creating ideas that can be translated into opportunities. is in an excellent position to foster the cross-disciplinary will be unprecedented. Unparalleled. We have the capacity, the leadership, the talent, the intersections that allow us to be leaders at a time when But for Ohio State … I would not be in the position to research agenda, and the ambition to reveal ideas and leadership is sorely needed. My wish is for this great consider my role here as both a calling and a blessing. I solutions that can have enormous impact for hundreds university to reach beyond our already high attainment am enthusiastic and energized by the passion I see in the of millions of people. And our students are partners in and become the country’s most vibrant, most engaged, eyes of our students and professors. We are a university that endeavor. most forward-thinking public institution. that puts students first, that celebrates and facilitates There is a magnificence about this place. I believe The But for Ohio State campaign is about the the achievements of a remarkable faculty, that casts its we have the best students in the world and the best difference between good and great. Our ability to garner research and scholarly agenda with a profound concern faculty in the world—in engineering, medicine, science, private support from alumni and friends will allow us for the good of the people.
giveto.osu.edu But For Ohio State … What does it mean to you?
On the massive intellectual platform that is The Ohio State “Ohio State University, with all of our diversity and capacity and opened the accomplishments, stands potential. Boundless possibilities exist for how we can fulfill our mission as a public, land-grant institution. For Ohio, we are the educators of bright world to me. students, an economic engine, the health care epicenter, The university the innovation core, the human resource, and the gave me the heart of culture. For the nation and the world, we are a chance to wellspring of ideas and solutions and leaders. But for Ohio State … certain cancer treatments learn, to might not be common practice, the ways marine corals grow, and to adapt to warmer oceans might remain a mystery, and find myself.” we might not have been the first scientists to witness —Terry D. Etling, Class of ’66 and document a supernova. Thousands of farmers and gardeners might never have Retired Government Executive increased their yields, and hundreds of thousands more people around the globe might have continued to go hungry. School children in South Korea and the U.S. might not benefit from international partnerships that promote science literacy. Despite the economic downturn of the last few years and a steady decrease in public funding, Ohio State is in excellent financial shape. Private giving and research awards have both increased, and our credit rating is among the strongest. Ohio State is an excellent investment.
giveto.osu.edu “Ohio state has shaped who i am today and who i will become.” —Samantha J. Boch, Class of ’12
To fulfill our potential as an institution, however, we seek a greater private commitment than ever before. The Ohio State University is poised to magnify the tremendous and diverse talents of our students, faculty and staff, alumni—and Buckeyes everywhere—to deliver to Ohio, the nation, and the world both leaders and answers … with your help. The But for Ohio State campaign is your opportunity to help Ohio State deliver on its promise to create a better tomorrow for people everywhere.
Remembering Our Founding Mission: Placing Students First Whether we are building a new residence hall, “Ohio State is where I started introducing a program, hiring a faculty member, or my career, and it is the place funding a research initiative, everything we do at Ohio WHERE I really became an adult.” State is about students. But for Ohio State students … —The Honorable Marcia L. Fudge, Class of ’75 Ohio State would not be supplying the state, nation, and U.S. Congresswoman for the 11th District of Ohio world with the well-prepared, ambitious leaders society so desperately needs.
giveto.osu.edu “Ohio State taught me that I had the perseverance, even as a first-generation college student, to be successful.” —Tamala Longaberger, Class of ’84, Chair of the Board and CEO, The Longaberger Company
Ohio State students hail from every background Through the But for Ohio State campaign, we can and tradition, most states, and every continent but help promising undergraduate and graduate students Antarctica. They arrive clothed in scarlet and gray, full of afford Ohio State, and more students will have access enthusiasm and ideas, ready to become highly engaged to a life-changing array of cross-disciplinary academic both in and out of the classroom. They benefit from an opportunities. We will be able to offer an even more robust intentional and comprehensive learning environment cocurricular program, better living and learning facilities, where curricular and co-curricular learning experiences and vibrant study abroad opportunities. With your help, hold equal sway. We help them explore their roles as we hope to be in an even better position to attract and citizens of a larger world—and as people who can use assist students—and to continue to provide the kind of their skills and talents for the common good. superlative journey that results in extraordinary outcomes.
Student Points of Pride • In 2009/2010, Ohio State students volunteered 638,112 hours. • Ohio State students are active in 1,077 student organizations. • Ninety-three percent of our first-year students return for their sophomore year. • Ohio State ranks among the nation’s top 20 universities both for international student enrollment and the number of students who study abroad. • Ohio State’s regional campuses offer open admission to all Ohio high school graduates and lower tuition than the Columbus campus. • Ohio State was named to Forbes Magazine’s list of “America’s Best College Buys.” • Ohio State’s 2011 enrolled class (Columbus) set record high in the percentage of students graduating in the top 10 percent of high school classes (54).
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu “I owe a lot of my career success to the chemical engineering faculty at Ohio State, most importantly Professor Slip Slider. If not for Ohio State and Slip Slider, I would not have accomplished what I have in my career and life.” —William G. Lowrie, Class of ’66, Retired Deputy CEO, BP Amoco plc
Raising Our Sights: Elevating Faculty With their proximity to brilliant minds in myriad and the Academic Enterprise fields, Ohio State faculty members accelerate discovery. Fourteen Ohio State colleges are working together to For these reasons and many others, Ohio State alleviate poverty, and twelve are focusing on a safer has become a destination for world-class scholars, international food supply. Experts from the basic sciences, researchers, and physicians. The appeal of brilliant veterinary medicine, nutritional sciences, engineering, and colleagues with whom to collaborate, outstanding medicine are joining forces to end cancer. People from students, state-of-the-art facilities, and a track record across the academic spectrum are bringing their diverse of success brings top faculty members from all over perspectives to the table to offer comprehensive solutions. the world. They inspire and mentor students, discover In addition, they are patenting their discoveries, launching important treatments and cures, advance the arts and new companies, and increasing Ohio State’s international culture, and work to solve global challenges related to footprint through partnerships with state, national, and the environment, transportation, energy, food safety, and global institutions and companies. health and wellness. Through their accomplishments, the university secures its place among the nation’s best public institutions. To perpetuate our dynamic academic enterprise and to attract, honor, and retain veteran talent as well as rising faculty stars, we must rely on private gifts. Endowed professorships, chairs, and programs will give us the means to advance our mission and shape a new, bold academic model.
giveto.osu.edu “But for Ohio State, I would not have gone to college. A lot of people cared over the decades about building the institution, and I was the beneficiary of things that happened almost 100 years before. It was an important institution in my life.” —Leslie H. Wexner, Class of ’55, Founder, Chairman, President, and CEO, Limited Brands
Planning Decades Ahead: Creating Columbus campus and maintaining close connections Modern Learning Environments across the academic enterprise elsewhere in Ohio. Through the decades since our founding, Ohio State has The idea and its follow-through work. The worked proactively to provide students, staff, faculty, right facilities and the right spaces—in the right and administrators with buildings and facilities that places—have allowed for brilliant ideas to incubate do more than serve their needs. Whereas other large and take flight. institutions tend to have colleges and schools separated As we expand our learning environments over the by miles—and often disciplines—Ohio State fosters next several decades, however, we believe we can improve interdisciplinary collaboration by locating academic on our institutional strength by rethinking and reshaping disciplines in close proximity to one another on its the traditional facilities paradigm. When planning for and building the new Ohio Union, for example, which opened in 2010 as a physical steward of the Scarlet and Gray tradition, we considered every audience, every activity. Called “the living room of campus” by many, the Ohio Union enhances the university experience through quality programs, flexible spaces, and an inclusive, inviting environment. The new Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building is another example, conceived as a “community” of engineers, scientists, and others who will work collaboratively to build new strengths, reveal new solutions.
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu “a I w s a first-generation college student from the Appalachian region, and Ohio State allowed me to have a rewarding career and a successful, happy life. I couldn’t have done it without the opportunity for the great education that this university afforded me.” — Denis G. Simon, Class of ’69, Senior Executive Vice President, Challenger, Gray, and Christmas
B y considering social, intellectual, cultural, recreational, and academic needs, we can magnify both the purpose and the outcomes in each new space, be it residence hall, medical facility, laboratory, or academic complex. And with each new space, we will remain committed to environmental responsibility—employing state-of-the-art “green” principles by using sustainable building materials and minimizing environmental impact through reduced energy usage. The But for Ohio State campaign will help The Ohio State University become the national model for innovative campus design.
Taking Risks: Emboldening Our Research Agenda Ohio State’s multidisciplinary Byrd Polar Research Center “There is something magical is recognized internationally for its contributions to polar about Ohio State. … It is like and alpine understanding. Our Institute for Energy and family and home.” the Environment brings diverse academic experts together — The Honorable Robert M. Duncan, Class of ’48, ’52 to find environmentally sustainable solutions to today’s Retired federal judge, first African American global energy problems. University-industry partnerships, to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court such as an Ohio State-Battelle innovation center and the
giveto.osu.edu “When I received my scholarship through Fisher, my entire college experience changed.” —Brittany Goad, Class of ’10
National Center for the Middle Market (the result of a Being Agile: Driving High Impact Innovation partnership between Fisher College of Business and GE But for Ohio State … so many questions would be Capital), have the capacity to leverage two powerhouse left unanswered, so many opportunities would be left organizations to find solutions in engineering, medicine, unexplored. Yet, because of the incredible human capital at agriculture, information technology, and education. this great institution, new ideas find a place to grow, new These and several other centers, institutes, and facilities initiatives become national models. at Ohio State represent what is possible when people from a variety of academic disciplines join forces to solve big problems. The deliberate decision to promote cross- disciplinary collaboration has resulted in well-funded programs and initiatives. Ohio State is one of the top ten institutions nationally in terms of industry-sponsored research expenditures, with large awards from major corporations as well as federal funding organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. At Ohio State, we are not afraid to take risks, to test bold hypotheses, or to rethink traditional approaches to problems. With additional private support, we will be able to bring a wider spectrum of research opportunities to Ohio State—and consequently offer more solutions to those we serve locally and around the world.
giveto.osu.edu “Because of Ohio State, multiple generations of my family—my grandfather, my parents, my six brothers and sisters, and now their children—have been given the opportunity to live the American dream.” —Christine A. Poon, Dean, Fisher College of Business, Wa Ding Thom, Class of ’21, grandfather
The impact of Ohio State is immeasurable, ranging from the more than half a million living alumni making their mark around the world to the thousands of patients we serve each year at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Thousands of fans are moved to tears when the Best Damn Band in the Land marches down the ramp at home football games. And thousands of students find their calling and launch meaningful lives of service and impact—because of Ohio State. We are innovators of new technologies and medical procedures. We dare to ask new questions and to celebrate the synergy and solutions that result when people from seemingly unrelated disciplines join together for a common cause. We are fostering powerful social justice programs and encouraging the creation of new musical compositions and works of art and literature. Undesignated funds contributed to the But for Ohio State campaign provide Ohio State leaders with the means to dream—and to think boldly not only about the possibilities our future holds but also about the leadership role Ohio State will play in that future.
giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu giveto.osu.edu … tomorrow’s What does Ohio State mean to Ohio, the nation, the world? leaders might But for Ohio State, students from Ohio and each resounding cry of “O-H-I-O!”—leaders for a far beyond would not have access to one world in need. be less equipped of the most massive intellectual platforms in the world. These students, and their futures, offer the most Upon that platform, they craft lives of meaning. compelling reason for giving to Ohio State. They are the What is more, they become Buckeyes: people who future. Imbued with the pride of the Scarlet and Gray and to champion combine Midwestern values with unbridled ambition, equipped with an Ohio State degree, they can—and will— people who stand on principle and develop into leaders make the world a better place. who now dwell on every continent and make a difference Private philanthropy is critically important to this wherever they go. When their talent and determination great public university, today more than ever, if we are the future. combine with the academic and cocurricular opportunities to continue on our trajectory without additional public they have at Ohio State, they will redefine success. They will funding. Invest in something that matters. Give generously heal us. They will boost our economy. They will reshape to the But for Ohio State campaign. For Ohio. For the the business world. They will reimagine the arts, inspire the nation. For the world. next generation of school children, deliver viable answers to But for Ohio State … the biggest of questions. As only Buckeyes can. We invite you to finish the sentence by becoming part But for Ohio State, students might not have the of the Ohio State story yourself. How would you answer? opportunity to become—with each lesson, each degree, What does Ohio State mean to you?
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The Ohio State University Foundation 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221 (614) 292-2970 giveto.osu.edu