Today's Update: Friday, December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

Dear Student Life team,

Happy High Five Friday. 

High Five to you if you were able to attend yesterday’s Scarlet and Great Gathering. I was excited to hear about the food and clothing donations, as well as the wonderful notes of encouragement that so many of you wrote for patients at the Spielman Clinic. Thank you all for your kindness! I hope you enjoyed creating your own “adventure in December.” Watch for more Gatherings coming in spring semester.  

Speaking of donations, High Fives to everyone who donated toys to our drive that will benefit the United Schools Network, including Student Health Services who donated an entire moving cart full of toys.  

Obviously, I don’t know the names of everyone who dropped off toys, either at the Gathering or in the bins over the past couple weeks. Please know that I am grateful, and I’m sure the students and their loved ones at the United Schools Network are going to have a better holiday because of you.  

Traditions are important this time of year, and Student Health Services Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine department has a tradition that dates back more than 30 years. Since 1993, they have posed for what they call their annual staff “pyramid picture.” High Fives!  

High Five to Ryan Lovell for helping a colleague fix a flat tire in the parking garage. Ryan also gets a High Five, along with Tracy Stuck, Kailee Bell, Isabel Biasella, Natalie Hornback, the Ohio Union events and catering teams, and Kellie Uhrig, for helping out with the Fall Sizzle event on Wednesday evening.  

I’m sure you know that gratitude is very important to me in both my personal and professional life. High Five to the Leadership and Community Engagement team for doing a gratitude exercise recently. They used bright paper to write what they are grateful for, which included family, tacos and being part of a supportive team. The notes were turned into a design that is now on the office door of Kristen Rupert Davis in the Ohio Union.  

There won’t be a High Five Friday message next week. I’m planning on spending some quality time with my family. May your winter break be peaceful, joyous and relaxing. 

In other words, have a Scarlet and Great Winter Break – and GO BUCKS!   

 

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