Today's Update: Friday, March 13, 2026
March 13, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
Happy High Five Friday!
ACUI (the Association of College Union International) has recognized Jeff Pelletier with one of their highest honors, the Legacy Leader Award, which acknowledges an individual’s impact on the field of college unions and campus community-building through their spirit and character. Jeff has served in many ACUI leadership roles over the years including as association president and as an at-large board member. High Five, Jeff.
High Five to a number of people at the Marion campus for a very successful RUOK? Day last week, including Ellen Farrell, Carlyn Bower, Dawn Hockensmith and students Liv Frazier, Brielle Stone, Megan Judson, Katy Beck and Allison Leist. Highlights include the efforts of a number of community and Ohio State partners (including Student Life’s Suicide Prevention Program), the Planting Seeds of Hope and Kindness Rocks tables, as well as walking tacos provided by the Alumni Association.
Another tremendous success was the Wooster Carnival, bringing joy, connection and a sense of community to the Wooster CFAES campus. It featured a ridable mechanical football, a DJ and line dancing, a giant inflatable quarterback challenge, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and a (completely demolished!) BBQ buffet. High Fives to Kelly Kyser, Andrew Michel, Jon Witter, Carri Gerber, Kathy Lechman, Jill Gallion, Kathryn LeMasters, Kylie Ramirez, Liz Helterbrand, Jalyn Goddard, Schaad Schaad, Penny Nemitz, Warren Flood, Kathy Yoder, Lori Nicholson, Dee Dee Snyder, Malainy Boes, Gabby Farmer, Gavin Hunt, Grace O'Dell, Hunter Snell, Luke Dwertman, Donta Ingram and Bailey Devine.
High Fives to Julie Schultz, Aliya Beavers, Chrisse Edmunds, Tori Rehr, Alex Green, Marjorie Freggens, Taylor Koon and Rachel Stefancic for leading the “Applying the Student Life Learning Goals and Outcomes” workshop last week. The content effectively highlighted the many ways each of our departments support student well-being and success and offered an important reminder that every staff person contributes to our collective impact.
Rec Sports recently hosted the Ohio Special Olympics Winter Games. High Five to the entire team, especially those who went above and beyond in support of this multi-day event, including Dave DeAngelo, Scott Holmes, Alex Jimenez, Faith Nelson, Zach Snyder, Peter Miller, Nabil Shehata, Christine Thompson, Jacob Rehfus, Malina Gugle and Kaylee Savage.
High Fives to Michelle Norris and Ana Berrios in Buckeye Commons. Their conference proposal has been accepted for the upcoming Ohio Career Development Association’s Annual Conference.
Dining Services’ Amber Morse gets a High Five for her compassionate support of a student employee, who wrote to say how much they appreciated Amber checking in and being understanding, and called the support “so needed.” It was a wonderful example of the importance of creating a space where a student feels safe enough to be honest, even when they’re struggling.
Two Housing and Residence Education team members get High Fives for their ability to assist parents of students who need support. Jennifer Whatley deserves a High Five for what a colleague says is her “integral part in connecting with the parents, showing respect, warmth and kindness. Jennifer is a light a difficult time.” Traci Woodard also gets a High Five for, in the words of a colleague, how she “can create connections with families that others may struggle to create. She also can diffuse a tense moment to have the family feel heard, and to help clarify the key element of the concerns.”
High Five to Busch/Halloran Hall Director Christian Thompson for being an advocate for mental health awareness and resources in his residence hall community as well as partnering for a campus-wide event. He’s also active in the Columbus community in helping others prioritize their physical and mental health.
No High Five Friday message next week because of Spring Break. It means I’m wishing you an extra week of Scarlet and Greatness, and an extra week of Go Bucks!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University