Today's Update: Friday, October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

Dear Student Life team,

Happy High Five Friday. 

I promised I’d be back after fall break. High Five to you if you managed to spend even a little time recharging last week. 

I need to start with a bittersweet High Five this week. Beth Fines is leaving our Student Life family to become the Managing Director of the Innovation Hub at Purdue University. She joined Student Life in 2012 and has served in a variety of roles within Residence Life and STEP. She will be missed, so thank you for all you’ve done and High Five, Beth.  

High Fives to everyone involved in this week’s Kindness events. Hundreds of volunteers packed 175,000 meals at French Field House Tuesday night, then on Thursday those meals were distributed to food insecure areas of southeast Ohio. Our folks met up with a group from West Virginia University who mirrored the project in their state. In all, more than 300,000 meals were distributed to non-profits on both sides of the Ohio River. High Fives to ALL the people involved, including hundreds of volunteers. I want to share special thanks to the following organizers – and if I miss anyone, please let me know for next week: Tracy Stuck, Daren Lehman, Aubrie Smith, John Cronin, Jenn Miller, Drew Stark, Sean Stewart, Tyler Wynkoop, Dave Isaacs, Kailee Missler, Stephanie Lingofelter, Travis Barnhart, Josh Bodnar,  Candyce Williams, Adrienne Gladish, Dave DeAngelo, Rob Lyons, Rob Jech, Beth Fines, Danny Elswick, Kim Traverse, Sam Bradway, Bridgett Keener, Tyler Eskew, Jeremy Gabis, Molly Hall, Kurt Schooley, Ali Talcott, Spenser Herkelman, Phil Julson, Godfrey Ludaway, Nick Pangio, Colette Tornik, Chrisse Edmunds, Matthew Altendorf and Teri Cugliari. 

The team in Willie J. Young Sr., Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement suggested High Fives for the people who helped with the refresh of their space on the third floor of the Ohio Union, saying. “Everyone went above and beyond to accommodate needs, worked at record speed and gave the space a much-appreciated refresh!” High Fives to John Cronin, Steve Cihon, Drew Stark, Bridgett Keener, Mike Dragon, Sean Miller, Jeff Pelletier, Clint Daugherty, Adrienne Gladish and Megan Haddock. 

High Five to Counseling and Consultation Service’s (CCS) Kaylee Enscoe for organizing the recent RECESS event. More than 2,000 students attended. Collaborators for the event were Student Wellness Center, SLDS, Rec Sports, Suicide Prevention, Office of International Affairs, SL Dining Services, Buckeye Campaign Against Suicide, Mental Health Navigators, Buckeye Paws, Pet Partners, Buckeye Wellness and Student Life Marketing.

Speaking of CCS, High Fives to Harry Warner and Shivani Edwards for their advocacy and support of Wellness Coaching. Thanks to their collaborative nature and referrals, and to the Student Wellness Center staff of Ari Camel, Roger Perkey, Jordan Helcbergier and Rachel Moreland, the program reached a new three-year record of monthly sessions. 

High Fives to the Disability Services team members who proposed and presented at the recent Ohio Association for Higher Education and Disability Conference, including Jodi Tobin and Lisa Vogt (Generational Diversity: How to Communicate Effectively and Inclusively) and Heidi Hartley (Education Reimagined: The Role of Mindfulness). 

The Disability Services interpreter and transcriber team recently hosted a meet-and-greet opportunity for deaf/hard of hearing students on campus during fall break.  High Fives to Emily Ott, along with colleagues Tiffany Hedges, Carly Taylor, Jodi Tobin and Bennett Whitaker. 

Student Life did a presentation to Ohio State’s Alumni Advisory Council this week on the topic of student mental health. High Fives to those who were involved including Brendan Greisberger, Erica Regan, Andre Love, Jacob Chang, Micky Sharma and Shawnte’ Elbert, along with campus partners Darcy Granello (Suicide Prevention Program), Dave Kasick (Wexner Medical Center) and Leslie Beary (Ohio State-Marion). Also, thanks to Travis Barnhart for always making our slides look snazzy. 

High Fives to Julie Wagner, Adrienne Gladish, Zia Ahmed and the Dining Services team for going to great lengths to make special moments possible for some potential corporate philanthropy partners we hosted this week. 

Student Life Facilities Operations suggests a High Five to their Human Resources Business Partner Katie Camp for “making each individual feel like a top priority. She never hesitates to take time out of her day to listen, truly understand, and give outstanding advice. Without her guidance, most of us would be lost.” High Five, Katie. 

My last High Five for this week is making my mouth water. A Student Life team member wants to be sure Dining Services Assistant Chef Alissa Vitale is recognized for the desserts in our Traditions locations. “They currently have a cranberry crumb bar that tastes like heaven in your mouth! I can’t wait to taste what is next!”

Have a Scarlet and Great weekend everyone, and Go Buckeyes! 

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD

Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University