Today's Update: Friday, May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024
Dear Student Life team,
Happy High Five Friday, everyone.
I want to start today’s message by thanking all who assisted with Commencement-related activities at the end of spring semester. This includes the various Commencement Week events, year-end celebrations and student support. I want to extend a special note of appreciation to everyone who assisted at the full Commencement ceremony in Ohio Stadium on Sunday, May 5. An event of this size and magnitude is always a significant task – Ohio State is one of the only universities of our size that has a single ceremony where actual diplomas are distributed. Sadly, this year’s ceremony also involved the tragic death of a graduate’s family member. I want to thank everyone who responded in the moment, throughout the day and into the following week and beyond. From on-site incident response and supporting the student and their family, to providing counseling services and so much more, I continue to be grateful for the extraordinary care and support the Student Life team and our campus partners show in times of crisis.
I am proud to share that we have a few new Student Life award winners. Brandon Horton, wellness coordinator for Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention, was named the Student Personnel Assistantship (SPA) Supervisor of the Year. Mackenzie Hogan, program coordinator for the Collegiate Recovery Community, was the recipient of the Emerging Professional Award. Avery Ruff also came away as one of the winners of the Dr. Bob Rodgers Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Congrats to you all!
This year, the Greek Programming Board (GPB) within Sorority and Fraternity Life was able to have Coca-Cola refresh various Greek Week events. With some tight marketing timelines and many donated items to move on and off campus, numerous staff worked together to support GPB and help make this year's Greek Week successful. High fives to Kristin Smith, Christy Muhoberac, Rachel Conners, Johna Walls, Travis Barnhart, Becky Groody, Tracy Stuck, Adrienne Gladish, Aubrie Smith, Paul O'Leary, Joe Hast, Drew Stark, John Cronin, Danny Glassmann, Angela Britton, Brittany Crall, Elizabeth Rowles and the SFL Team, including Will Cangialosi, Hunter Hartwig, Cristina Vega, Teri Cugliari, Kim Monteaux De Freitas, Gabi Nunez, Eddie Labid, Elise Nelson and Liz Westrick.
High five to members of our Buckeye Careers team for being elected to the Executive Team for the University Career Services Committee (UCSC), including Jennifer Chilman (Chair), Mollie Workman (Treasurer) and Taylor Koon (Secretary). These individuals have provided leadership in facilitating cross-collaboration, professional development and networking among career services professionals across Ohio State.
A high five also goes out to our Summer 2024 Buck-I-SERV Trip Advisors - Erin McAlhaney (Colorado: Easterseals), Anna Wagner (Honduras: Montaña de Luz), Madi Barnes (Oklahoma: Cherokee Nation), Kristen Van Gundy (Guatemala: Constru Casa), Michelle Miranda (Uruguay: Rizoma Field School) and Tonya Dawson (Uruguay Rizoma Field School). As trip advisors, they provided instrumental support and guidance to student participants and leaders, and our trips wouldn’t be possible without them!
I’m also proud to share that the final numbers are in, and our friends at the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences on the Wooster campus won the Regional Blood Battle last fall. All the blood/plasma collected goes directly back to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. A high five to everyone who donated, helped at the events or shared out the link to donate. We are truly Buckeyes helping Buckeyes!
A nominator gave a big high five to Ian Trautman, Hannah Warner and all of our partners in Financial Management for supporting the Student Life team across all our purchasing needs. They said that whether it’s a small item or a larger order, they always put in 100% to support us in all we need!
Thank you to everyone for all your hard work and have a Scarlet and Great weekend.
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University