Today's Update: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
February 19, 2025
Dear Student Life team,
The university’s trustees wrapped up their full board meeting earlier today, and, in addition to all the other important work they do, I want to call your attention to one item of special significance to Student Life.
The trustees approved the naming of the Reid Family Career Closet in the Younkin Success Center.
The Reids are wonderful people. Jimmy and Allyson met on campus as students and are proud alumni of The Ohio State University. Two of their sons are graduates of the Fisher College of Business. They have a son currently on campus who will be joined soon by their daughter; she was just accepted for fall 2025. They are known as the “Buckeye family" in their New Jersey community and open their home to welcome incoming students and families each August.
That love for Ohio State and our students led them to be good friends of the university and Student Life. Jimmy enjoys coming to campus to interview students for internships and jobs at Lincoln Financial Group, offering feedback on interviews as well. Allyson is passionate about helping students look their best for interviews and will actively assist with the Career Closet. Coming from humble means, Jimmy understands the impact the closet will have on students as they prepare for their careers.
Their support of the Career Closet comes at an important time. In about two months, we will open the doors to the Monda Student Resource Center, and the Reid Family Career Closet will become an integral part of the Center’s mission of helping students who may struggle to succeed because essential needs, such as food, housing or clothing, are not met.
The Career Closet has regularly offered pop-up shops for students to obtain free, gently-used professional clothing, shoes and accessories that enables them to make a lasting impression at a job or internship interview. The Reid’s generosity will now help make the Closet a permanent fixture of the Monda Student Resource Center.
High Fives to Lynne Deshler and Ryan Lovell who have worked behind the scenes to make this meaningful gift possible.
I am Scarlet and Grateful to those who give their time and treasure to support our students, including Jimmy and Allyson Reid, as well as Keith Monda and Veronica Brady. Their support helps our students engage, learn and thrive at Ohio State.
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University