Mount Leadership Society Celebrates 25 Years
October 17, 2024
How do you honor the memory of someone who devoted themselves to improving the quality of life for others?
This was the question pondered in 1997 after the tragic passing of Ruth Weimer Mount in a traffic accident. Ruth, the first Dean of students at Ohio State and extraordinarily committed mentor to students, dedicated herself to service and leadership.
The answer was to create Ohio State’s first scholar’s program, a living, learning community that would carry on Ruth’s legacy for future generations of Buckeyes. The first Mount Scholars class started 25 years ago in the fall of 1999.
Today, two and a half decades and 2,626 scholars later, The Mount Leadership Society continues to grow and thrive, creating opportunities for students to learn leadership skills and engage in service projects.
Program Coordinator Kathy Krajnak has guided Mount since 2000. “Being surrounded by leaders advocating for change brings me a sense of hope that many do not get to see, and I know we have the ability and desire to overcome the problems of our world.” Kathy said. “The next generation of leaders will do just that.”
The two-year program encourages students to work toward positive social change. In their first year, Mount Scholars learn leadership skills and participate in service opportunities. The second year, called the Year of Service, focuses on citizenship.
However, the Mount experience doesn’t end here. Third- and fourth-year students can continue their journey by taking on roles as Post Mounts, guiding younger members and establishing connections with alumni.
Fourth-year Ohio State student Grace Leedy is active as a Post Mount and says her life was changed by being a Mount Scholar. During her Year of Service, Grace taught English to refugees and immigrants in the Columbus area. “It instilled my sense of wanting to serve even more and solidified that this was something that I want to stay connected with my whole life to serve the community,” Grace said.
Ruth Mount believed in creating and nurturing relationships. The program’s motto is “Together for Good,” which not only embodies the service elements of the program, but also the lifelong connections that are made. “Mount impacts the lives of young leaders, helping them find the passion and voices needed to change the world for the better,” Kathy said.
Mount’s impact does not end at graduation. Ohio State alum Zach Blau ‘07 has a lifelong passion for volunteer work and service. Blau has stayed loyal to the same employer for 16 years, drawn by their community connection and impact. “They have similar values to the Mount program and myself. The company does well by doing well for the community. And that's why I stay there.”
A celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Mount Scholars program will be held on campus October 25-27. Included will be a display of artifacts commemorating two and half decades of devotion to service and leadership.
One of the hallmarks of the program is tradition, creating activities and events that combine to build the skills of the scholars, empowering their sense of commitment and preparing students for the future.
Today, 25 years after its creation, the Mount Leadership Society continues to stand “Together for Good.” Ruth Weimer Mount would be proud.
Learn more about the Mount Leadership Society.
Amanda Bovenzi ‘25
Office of Student Life