Today's Update: Friday, April 3, 2026
April 3, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
Happy High Five Friday!
Several Parent and Family Relations events were held this past weekend, including the Legacy Dinner and Buckeye Family Day. High Five to Beth Ullum, Adam Specht and Noah Gilbert, and to those who helped out including Matt Couch, Julie Schultz, Julie Jones, Rachel Conners, Lynne Deshler, Gabi Bockelman, Kim Traverse, Christy Muhoberac, Brianna Fuentes, Dianye Jiang, Jamie Steinbock, Kate Brody and Katherine Wenrick.
Speaking of Parent and Family Relations, a second round of High Fives to the team (Beth, Adam and Noah) along with Em Manier and the Student Advocacy team of Kim Pachell, Jennifer Irwin, Andy Fox, Estrella Jacobsen, Julie Jones, Michelle McGregor and Kevin Williams for their great work in honoring our Buckeyes during the Student Remembrance Ceremony. Special recognition to J. Randall Hicks for his support in recording the program and Matt Couch for getting the event started. I was truly honored to attend and take part in this important and moving ceremony, alongside President Bellamkonda.
High Fives to Tori Rehr, Tiffany Quattlebaum and Jess Romer for their recent teamwork on some important fundraising projects. Their work has made us one of the most successful colleges/units at Ohio State in several key areas.
Dining Services is grateful to the Student Life maintenance team for some fast work. Here is how it unfolded: One recent morning at 3 a.m., Matt Hope responded to Traditions at Morrill for high temperature alarms on a walk-in refrigerator. Matt quickly relocated the food to working refrigerators to ensure safe storage. The same morning, the maintenance team of Dan McKay, Jay Jarvis, Alex Cates and Michael Brecht removed the old unit, sourced, purchased and installed the new refrigerator to be prepared for testing. Within a day, the operation was able to use them. No food was lost. High Fives, everyone!
High Five to Sarah Smith, in her first year as our Ohio State-Mansfield Housing Coordinator. Over Spring Break there was a power outage in Molyet Village that left more than 15 students without electricity. Sarah also lost power, but she consistently prioritized the needs of the students, going above and beyond to make sure they had what they needed. Sarah even offered to pick up food and toiletries for student staff who were displaced during this time at a local hotel.
High Fives to the Events and Conferences team for their support of Disability Services testing space needs.
Housing and Residence Education Assistant Hall Directors Sierra Downing and Stella Rockwood both get High Fives for their incredible effort during a busy and challenging weekend of on-call needs and crisis situations. Both managed multiple situations while maintaining a positive approach and putting student safety and support first.
High Five to Chris Shine, a Facilities team member who works in the North Residential District, for stepping up to go above and beyond to help support student needs.
Don’t forget our next Scarlet and Great Gathering is Wednesday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m. in Performance Hall of the Ohio Union. I hope to see you there.
Have a Scarlet and Great weekend, and, naturally, Go Bucks!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University