Today's Update: Friday, December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Dear Student Life team, 

Happy High Five Friday! 

Now that finals are over, winter break is officially underway. High Fives to everyone who supported students throughout the week, from Reading Day activities to other study breaks and giving space for exam and final project preparation.  

I was thrilled to host the Fall Sizzle event, where we provided a study break(fast) for students on Monday evening. Thanks to everyone who helped plan the event including Stacy Smith, Jen Vandemark and Tracy Stuck, and then to everyone who helped on-site, from Lori Green and her incredible team and several members of FOCUS Team, to a few of my President’s Cabinet colleagues and President and First Lady Carter! Special shout-out to Delanie Householder from the marketing team who took photos so our student photographer could enjoy the event. 

High Fives to everyone who helped out with the OUABreakfast on Reading Day, including Abby Frank, Adam Specht, Akua Nelson, Anna Kvam, Beth Ullum, Brooke Olson, Christy Muhoberac, D'Arcy Oaks, Debbie Wakefield, Erica Brown, Kathie Serif, Kristen Van Gundy, Maia Gardner, Matt Couch, Maureen Cahill, Megan Haddock, Molly Chandra, Noah Gilbert, Rachel Conners, Sean Stewart, Tracy Stuck, Tom Reeves, Colleen Lins, Jeff Pelletier, Ashley Grayson and Candace Floyd. 

High Fives to everyone who helped Student Life Disability Services provide an accessible testing experience for students, including Matt Couch, Chris Antjas, Cortney Brewer, Stacey Renker, Shina Drummond, Lindsey Shaw, Angie Wellman, Julie Schnell, Nancy Thompson, Sarah Juttner, Adam Specht, Paul Newell, Abby Mills, Julie Sanzone, Lindsay Tolchin, Megan Haddock, Holly Wheaton, Emilia Louy, Liam Smyth, Ryan Lovell, Annie Maxwell, Barbara Harvey, Kellie Uhrig, Tanisha Jenkins, Kirby Bell, Teri Cugliari, Akeesha Giddings, Ian Trautman, Jennifer Kephas, Aliya Beavers, Rachel DeMooy, Tiffany Quattlebaum, Dan Huffman, Mollie Workman, Leanne Stearns, Rae Hofmeister, Taylor Koon, Jennifer Chilman, Tara Nord, Tinu Oduloye, Re'Nesha Weston, Maia Gardner, Maggie Wagner, D'Arcy Oaks, Kelly Smith, Alex Thomas, Brandon Balandra, Jen Vandemark, Mackenzie Hogan, Avery Ruff, Meredith Hilke, Tori Rehr, Morgan Hammonds, Rebecca Kapusta, Aisha Echols, Chelsea Black, April Adkins, Zach Howman, Abby Richard, Abigail Frank, Akeesha Giddings, Akua Nelson, Ann Talbot, Anne McDaniel, Ari Grubaugh, Beth Ullum, Blair Lozier, Chrisse Edmunds, Christy Muhoberac, Dan Huffman, Debbie Ward, Erica Szeyller, Hannah Warner, Hillary Carter, Jacob Glorioso, Jaylen Lindsey, Jeremy Hale, Jess Romer, Julie Humbel-Courtney, Julie Jones, Julie Schultz, Kacy King, Katie Stanutz, Kim Pachell, Kori Montgomery, Kristen Hill, Lacey Gosnell, Madi Barnes, Marjorie Freggens, Michelle Norris, Mindy Clagg Nicholas La Torre, Peter Hansen, Thyrone Henderson, Tom Reeves, Tracy Stuck and Wendy DeBrosse. 

High Fives to the BuckID team for celebrating the department’s 30th anniversary this week. Past directors came back to campus and shared beautiful and funny stories that were recorded for the Archives.  

High Five to everyone who contributed to Student Life’s Toy Drive for the United Schools Network here in Columbus. Special thanks to Daren Lehman, Tracy Stuck and student employee Matthew Swearingen for coordinating the delivery of the donation and for helping out someone in need along the way.

The Learning and Involvement Team from Housing and Residence Education gets a High Five for hosting a successful all-day Study Jamz session for students preparing for their finals. About 150 students attended, with some staying, studying and participating in organized study breaks for almost nine hours.  Special shoutout to Shannon Mullally who spearheaded planning efforts. 

High Five to the entire Housing Assignments team (including the student staff) for navigating significant numbers of room changes and a heightened load of calls, emails and office drop-ins as a result of relocating students from Lawrence Tower. High Fives as well to John McGowan, Barb Kefalas, Gabi Bockelman and Qiana Smith as they’ve dealt with many of the impacted residents, Aubrie Smith and team for assistance with getting students moved, hall director staff for ensuring new spaces across the system were prepared and ready for new residents, the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement team assisting students with their transition to living off-campus and offered their care and support, and team members who rearranged schedules to assist in taking calls in the Housing and Residence Education main office.

Special High Fives to everyone on our team who will be receiving a degree at this weekend’s commencement. Congratulations! 

Have a Scarlet and Great weekend, and you know the rest---Go Bucks!  

 

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