Today's Update: Friday, September 2, 2022

September 2, 2022

Dear Student Life team,

Happy High Five Friday. 

You probably know how excited I am for tomorrow’s game, not just for the football but the whole Buckeye experience in the ‘Shoe. A big part of that is TBDBITL, and I want to congratulate Zarek Ahmed, Zia’s son, for being one of the newest members of the band. Can’t wait to watch him perform! 

I want to give an early High Five to Dr. Aliya Beavers who will be joining our team as the Director of the Center for Belonging and Social Change (CBSC) beginning on Monday, September 12. Dr. Beavers (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Director of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. And High Five to Angie Wellman and the entire Center for Belonging and Social Change team for their hard work and dedication throughout this important transition period. 

I’ve signed on to be a university co-chair of this year’s Buckeyes for Charity campaign, and I want to give High Fives to D’Arcy Oaks, Jasmine Stephenson and Xavier De Freitas for agreeing to be our Student Life leads on this important drive. If you’d like to help in your department, just let one of those three know. They will appreciate the help.  

Last week I promised to name the people who helped make Move-In so successful. The length of this list just confirms the Scarlet and Great dedication of our Student Life team. High Fives to Adam Keller, Aisha Echols, Alex Thomas, Alexa Benear, Ali Talcott, Allan Leary, Andrew Crow, Andrew Miller, Andrew Sells, Andy Fox, Angie Wellman, Anna Wagner, April Adkins, Ashly Horton, Ben Moore, Benjamin Raines, Brad Seaholm, Brendan Greisberger, Bridgett Keener, Carla Smith Jones, Chelsea Black, Cheryl Lyons, Chinwe Dabo, Chris Antjas, Chris Wandel, Chrisse Edmunds, Christina Szuch, Christine Thompson, Christy Blessing, Chrystal Zimmerman, Colette Tornik, Cristina Vega, Dan Huffman, D'Arcy Oaks, Daren Lehman, Dave DeAngelo, David Reed, David Wirt, Dilna Cama, Domonique Dunn, Donovan Golich, Elissa Rodriguez, Em Manier, Emily Murphy, Erica Regan, Erick Moyers, Estrella Jacobsen, Evelyn McBride, Gabi Bockelman, Garrett Boysen, Hannah Warner, Hannah Worley, Heidi Hartley, Hunter Hartwig, Indra Levya Cook, Iv Pavisic, Jasmine Stephenson, Jeff Pelletier, Jen Pelletier, Jennifer Chilman, Jeremy Gabis, John Kuilan, John Link, John Price, Johnna Walls, Jon Plante, Jordan Alexander, Josh Oconer, JR Rathjens, Julie Schnell, Kailee Missler, Kala McClure, Karen Narwicz, Karl Cavin, Katie Camp, Katie Meisky, Kelly Bonice, Kelly Smith, Kim Monteaux De Freitas, Kim Traverse, Kirby Bell, Konner Barr, Kori Montgomery, Kristen Rupert Davis, Kristin Hill, Krystal Reeb, Kurt Schooley, Lacey Gosnell, Lacie Noland, Laura Przytulski, Leah Halper, Leanne Stearns, Lisa Pfeifer, Lisa Wang, Lucy Hennon, Madison Eagle, Madison Jo Yee, Mariana Weflen, Marjorie Freggens, Mary DeCenzo, Matt Couch, Matt Hartman, Maureen Cahill, Megan Haddock, Mercedes Wallace, Micky Sharma, Mitchell Miceli, Mollie Workman, Molly Hall, Morgan Blumenfeld, Morgan Hammonds, Nancy Thompson, Nicholas La Torre, Nikki Skunza, Patrick Creedon,  Paul Wojdacz, Preston Tartt, Qiana Smith, Rachel Conners, Rachel DeMooy, Radha Elevarthi, Rae Hofmeister, Rebecca Delo, Rob Jech, Rochelle Toth, Ross Meloro, Ryan Lovell, Ryan Wilhelm, Sam Evans, Samantha Bradway, Sarah Peters, Shivani Edwards, Stacey Renker, Steph Lingofelter, Stephanie Fowler, Susan Hagos, Tanisha Jenkins, Teri Cugliari, Thyrone Henderson, Tierra Heath, Tiffany Quattlebaum, Tom Reeves, Tracy Stuck, Will Cangialosi, Zach Talstein and Zarek Bell.  

Dining Services nominates Emily Gerrick for a High Five. She is their Talent Acquisition Specialist and has been a huge help at the beginning of this semester. They say, “She communicates clearly, quickly and effectively, is always available to answer questions and puts out positive energy which is always appreciated during our busiest time of the year. Emily is doing great and we wanted to recognize her efforts.” High Five, Emily!  

Leah Wheeler of Housing and Residence Education gets a High Five for the tireless and countless hours put into the Ohio State Welcome Leaders (OWLs) and RLEAD programs. Both early-arrival programs that she oversees provide students with an immediate hands-on experience to help them connect, build community and gain leadership skills.  

High Fives to Cheryl Lyons and Kelly Bonice for hosting the regional campus student disability services directors in Columbus for an informative and productive meeting.  

Counseling and Consultation Services nominates Anne Schira of the Office of Legal Affairs. “She is responsive and supportive.  She provided invaluable consultation for time sensitive concerns.  She’s a great collaborator.” High Five, Anne!  

High Fives to the team at Student Health Services, especially Courtney Wiseman and Sharon Edwards. SHS got a lovely thank you email from a student’s parent. 

“I just wanted to send you an email thanking you for the wonderful care my daughter received at the Student Health Center. Your staff was accommodating, kind and extremely competent in attending to everything she needed. I feel over the recent years, so many individuals have forgotten what kindness is supposed to look like. Every individual (she encountered at SHS) has restored my faith that kindness and competency do still exist. Thanks again for everything you do!” 

On that heart-warming note, have a Scarlet and Great Labor Day weekend. And Go Buckeyes!  

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD

Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University