Today's Update: Friday, August 23, 2024

August 23, 2024

Dear Student Life team,

Happy High Five Friday. 

I want to start off by relaying a High Five from the university Board of Trustees to everyone who assisted with the coordination of housing occupancy, preparation for student arrivals and Move-In. They specifically asked me to let our team know how much they appreciate the hard work that has gone into the start of the semester. High Five, team!  

I’ve said many times that it takes a village to roll out the Scarlet Carpet for our new and returning students each fall. Our next High Fives go to those who helped out across campus during the four days of Move-In, and this gives you an idea of how large that village really is. And this doesn’t even include all the Ohio State alumni who joined us, nor all the OWLs and other students involved. We literally could not do Move-In without this assistance.  

High Five to Move-in helpers Amanda Johnson, Chinwe Dabo, Dylan Delay, Holly Heffernan, Markisha Tatum, Mason Nojonen, Megan Haddock, Samantha Dible, Aaron Southerland, Aaron Springs, Abby Dadich, Abby Richard, Adam Keller, Adam Poland, Ahmed Hosni, Aisha Echols, Al Stazzone, Alex Green, Alex Thomas, Ali Daoud, Alice Ryan, Ally Meyer, Ally Schafer, Aly Ellefson, Amber Morse, Amelia Taggart, Amy Burgess, Andrea Mitchell, Andrew Crow, Andrew Ephlin, Angie Andujar, Angie Wellman, Anne McDaniel, April Adkins, Arisa Yaaqob, Artem Yakubovskyi, Ashley Richardson, Aubrey McKee, Ayat Munther, Barbara Harvey, Beth Ullum, Bo Zhang, Brendan Condon, Brian Fitts, Brian Olmstead, Brittney Martin, Brooke Olson, Carly Taylor, Carol Bechtel, Carrie Bremer, Carrie Hyde, Cathy Black, Chandra Carnes, Chelsea Black, Cherrelle Rowser, Chris Antjas, Chris Coleman, Chris Leonard, Chris Potts, Chrisse Edmunds, Christy Muhoberac, Cindy Kalis, Claire Simon, Claudia Bonham, Colette Moreland, Cortney Brewer, Courtney Griggs, Dan Crowley, Daniel Sayer, Danny Glassmann, Dave DeAngelo, Deb Krantz, Deb Sellars, Debbie Wakefield, Dilna Cama, Doug McGrew, Eddie Labid, Eddie Sanfrey, Elijah Balogh, Emmie Cesar, Molly Calhoun, Eric Stucke, Erica Brown, Erica Szeyller, Erin Lisko, Evan Gardiner, Gabi Bockelman, Gabi Nunez, Geoff Bennett, Gideon Miller, Greg Arline, Hannah Klopfenstein, Hannah Warner, Hunter Hartwig, Isaiah Pryce, Jack Chan, Jack Pendleton, Jacob Armstrong, Jacob Glorioso, Jada Clawson, Jake Friedman, James Skidmore, Jamonae Scarborough, Jason Holbrook, Jason Working, Jayden Messer, Jean Rae, Jeff Susie, Jen Pelletier, Jen Vandemark, Jenna Sparrowe, Jennifer Chilman, Jennifer Finch, Jennifer Flowers, Jennifer Kephas, Jennifer Son, Jenny Osborn, Jeremy Gabis, Joanna Richardson, Jodi Tobin, Joe Brately, Joel Sedziol, John Faul, John Kuilan, Jon Walden, Jordan Smoot, Julianne Charles, Julie Forejt, Julie Schnell, Julie Schultz, Jv Velasquez, Kaden Russell, Karen Narwicz, Kathy Grant, Katie Urban, Kayla Millender, Kelli Grice, Kelly Bonice, Kelsey Cartnal, Kevin Bledsoe, Kim Moss, Kim Traverse, Kirby Bell, Kisia Collins, Kori Montgomery, Kristen Hill, Kristen Swope, Kristen Van Gundy, Kristin Knisley, Kristin Poldemann, Kristin Smith, Kyla Gibson, Kyle Beck, Kyle Kellogg, Lacey Gosnell, Lauren Stazen, Leah Halper, Leanne Stearns, Learry Miller, Lindsey Shaw, Lisa Bannister, Lisa Vogt, Lizzy White, Madi Barnes, Malcolm Bello, Maly Osman, Mandy Mallott, Marci Shumaker, Marjorie Freggens, Martin Blenkinsopp, Mary Decenzo, Matt Gilkerson, Matt Hansen, Matthew D'Oyly, Maureen Cahill, Maya Bygrave, Meagen Rinard, Megan Cavanaugh, Mel Anderson, Mercedes Wallace, Meredith Hilke, Michael Horejsei, Michael Rengers, Micky Sharma, Mike Jones, Mindy Clagg, Nancy Thompson, Natalie Jordan, Nathan Fields, Nathan Nguyen, Nicholas La Torre, Nichole Russell, Nick Arabian, Nick Jennings, Niko Jimenez, Noah Gilbert, Oliver Dye, Oliver Reyes, Olivia Nelson, Parker Lathem, Paul Newell, Paul O'Leary, Phil Amerine, Phil Smith, Rachel Conners, Rachel DeMooy, Rachel Stefancic, Rahul Ponappa, Ramy Farid, Rashida Bowman, Ray Dennison, Rebecca Kapusta, Rebekah Gayley, Re'Nesha Weston, Riana Stallworth, Rick Kirk, Rob Grogan, Robbyn Ireland, Robin Ford, Rochelle Toth, Rose Tyler, Ross Quellhorst, Ryan Benroth, Ryan Garcia, Samantha Bradway, Sandra Riley, Sara Lytle, Sarah Geisler, Sarah Harrison, Sarah Moyer, Sarah Peters, Sean Anderson, Seth Rhodes, Shina Drummond, Shivani Edwards, Skylar Albright, Skylar Getty, Spencer Ardo, Stacey Renker, Tara Nord, Taylor Allen, Taylor Koon, Ted Tobler, Teresa Yu, Teri Cugliari, Thyrone Henderson, Tim McGranor, Tina Bogac, Todd Henderly, Tom Ekegren, Tom Novotny, Tom Reeves, Tracy Stuck, Travis Barnhart, Trecie Shuler- Palmore, Ty Pavia, Vance Barnes, Vanessa Brown, Walter Smith, Warren Lor, Wendy DeBrosse, Will Cangialosi, Xheis Gjata, Zach Howman, Zach Redecker and Zak King. 

Several people wrote me notes to highlight individual efforts during Move-In, including Tracy Stuck for coming in over the weekend to help monitor dumpster capacity and keep our contractor on the move and efficient. High Fives as well to the Morrill Traditions team who did a great job and had a great time at Lincoln and Morrill, and to Hall Director Nick Aichele for his overall support of Move-In at Morrill.

The weather forecast for two of the Move-In days was questionable with a threat of dangerous lightning. High Fives to the Risk and Emergency Management team for keeping on top of changing conditions, and to Anita McCoy and Johna Walls for the idea and design of social media graphics to keep students and their families instantly up to date. 
 
Last, but far from least, a massive High Five to Aubrie Smith who does a miraculous job organizing and orchestrating all things Move-In!  

We’ve had a number of events during Welcome Week, including the Student Involvement Fair rescheduled for this Sunday. I’ll be sure to High Five more individuals in th coming weeks, but in the meantime, High Five to everyone who played a role in getting this year off to a Scarlet and Great start.  

Dining Services wants High Fives for Mark Arthur and Bert Stebens for “the time energy and effort the past weeks they put in to make sure a new Dining operation on campus was able to have the proper network and connection to accept orders and process transactions in time for the semester.” 

Another High Five nomination from Dining Services goes to those who helped fix the Curl dish machine including Lisa Selfinger for ordering the parts and the team of John Ellingson, Dan McKay and Alex Cates for making the replacement in record time. 

Just like any Buckeye family, Student Life has extended family members who may technically be a part of another unit, but they are Student Lifers at heart! This High Five comes from Lynne Deshler, our colleague from Advancement who oversees the Parents Advancement Council. Lynne gives High Fives to Zia Ahmed, Qiana Smith and Cheryl Lyons for always being so helpful in finding information and referring families throughout the past several weeks. I also want to give Lynne a High Five for being an amazing partner! 

I’ve heard from several departments about the extraordinary job Student Life Marketing has done getting materials thoughtfully designed and ready for the new year. High Fives!  

High Fives to Shannon Mullally and Jenn Schoolcraft who thoughtfully put together and executed a wonderful living-learning community teambuilding event for almost 1,000 students.  They worked hard to shift the event indoors and it paid off in helping build some early connections for those students. Kudos also to the Learning and Involvement Team and Residence Hall Staff for their support of the program. 

Julius Mayo gets a High Five for ensuring a strong kick-off to the 28th year of MUNDO at Ohio State.

We needed to adjust beds in Lincoln Tower at the last minute just before Move-In, and a number of people jumped in to help out. High Fives for great teamwork to Andrew Crow, Qiana Smith, Jeremy Gabis, John Cronin, Mike Brecht, Martin Dentu, Alex Cates, Ralph Cottrill, Dan McKay, Hanif Yeboah, Mark Hoy, Kirk Winters, Kasey Resendes, Tom Roush, Tyree Watson, Eric Craft, Tafaru Garuba, Lauren Meng, Jeremiah Jones, Derrlye Sloan, Bridget Hildreth, Jeremiah Odoi, Joey Blain, John Ellingson and Nathan Whiteside.

I told you it takes a village, and this is the best village in the world! 

Have a Scarlet and Great weekend!

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD             
Senior Vice President for Student Life              
The Ohio State University