Vignettes

Walter Hall

In the hard science world of hydrocarbons and polymers, the innovations incorporated into Ohio University’s newest classroom building, Margaret M. Walter Hall, are making the study of chemistry a bit less about chemical bonds illustrated in a book and a bit more about bonds between teachers and students.

Dr. Fritz J. Russ and C. Paul Stocker

Ohio University counts among its most loyal alumni two of these unique individuals. From the mind of C. Paul Stocker, BSEE ’26, HON ’74, came a better telephone. The talents of Fritz J. Russ, BSEE ’42, DENG ’75, advanced computer and laser technology as well as artificial intelligence.

Leon Harris & Nikki Brown

“When you get into a position like mine, you try to identify the kids who want to be somebody when they grow up, and you do what you can to help them make it happen.”

That’s how Leon Harris, BSC ’83, HON ’99, explains his $50,000 commitment to support a minority scholarship earmarked for kids from his hometown of Akron, Ohio, who are interested in pursuing a degree in the College of Communication.

Bill Byham

Dr. William C. Byham, BS ’58, MS ’60, is an expert on assessment in the field of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology. Co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Development Dimensions International (DDI), he earned his BS from Ohio University in 1958 and his MS in 1960. He earned his PhD in psychology from Purdue University in 1962. A founder of the Assessment Center Method – which helps to predict how well people will do in future jobs by simulating future job experiences – Dr. Byham recently assessed the opportunity to make a difference at his alma mater. With his generous $1 million gift, he is ensuring excellence in teaching and research by establishing the Byham Chair in I/O Psychology.

Jeff Chaddock

Just one year after graduating from Ohio University, Jeff Chaddock, BSC ’88, received a call from the Ohio University Phonathon asking him to consider a $50 gift. “When I asked if I could do more (the caller) was a little surprised,” says Chaddock. “When I said a wanted to give $1,000 and that my company would match it two to one, making it a $3,000 gift, he hardly knew what to do with me.” That gift – and Chaddock’s commitment to continue making it every year for the next decade – made him the youngest member of the Trustees Academy (the University’s premier giving society).

Patricia Connor Study Professorship

Dr. Kevin Mattson, the Patricia Connor Study Professor of Contemporary History, believes students should be “asked the broader questions before leaving the institution.” He adds that people from all walks of life should be able to interpret current events and make broad associations. Historians should make history relevant to the public. He says, for example, “What does understanding foreign policy during the cold war tell us about foreign policy as it stands now? This type of teaching and learning is crucial in a state institution that is accountable to the public for showing the relevance of the work you are doing.”

Patricia Connor Study, AB ’48, established the professorship with a $1 million commitment. As a result of her gift, Mattson’s students will be better prepared for the discipline of history.

Dr. Wil and Ann Lee Konneker

Dedicated benefactors to Ohio University, Dr. Wilfred Konneker, BS ’43, MS ’47, HON ’80, and his wife Ann Lee, HON ’80, have committed more than $16.5 million to Ohio University in support of students, faculty, and alumni. Their most recent commitment, a $1 million gift, will support The Cutler Scholars Program.

J. O. Watson, D.O. Endowed Research Chair

Dr. Leonard Kohn is the first J.O. Watson, D.O., Endowed Research Chair – which is dedicated to diabetes and cardiovascular disease research. The chair is providing the cornerstone for a concentrated focus on diabetes at the College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM). Funded by a $1.5 million gift from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, the chair honors Dr. James O. Watson, a founder of Doctors Hospital, Columbus.

The Betty Thomas Film Award

Emmy Award-winning director and producer Betty Thomas, BFA ’69, is committed to helping film students achieve their goals. Her $100,000 gift endowed an award in her name for the College of Fine Arts. Thomas began to fund the Betty Thomas Film Award in 1996 with annual gifts. The permanent endowment, established in 2002, supports female School of Film graduate students.

The Farfel Prize

In 2003, Ursula Farfel, AB ’56, and her husband, Gilbert, established the Farfel Prize in Investigative Reporting. Supported by a $500,000 endowment, the $25,000 prize recognizes the finest examples of investigative reporting by print media in the United States.

The Russ Prize

The Russ Prize was established in 1999 through a multimillion-dollar endowment to Ohio University from Fritz Russ, BSEE’42, DENG ’75, and his wife, Dolores. The $500,000 prize is awarded biennially and recognizes outstanding achievement in engineering that contributes to the advancement of science and engineering and improves quality of life.

Willem J. Kolff, 2003 recipient of the Russ Prize, engineered the first dialysis machine – or artificial kidney – out of sausage casings and part of a Ford automobile water pump during World War II while in Nazi-occupied Holland. He was driven by the experience of seeing a young man suffer through the agony of kidney failure as his body gradually lost the ability to filter out waste.

Eva Pinter

Support for students helps Ohio University fulfill its role in regional economic development.

When Eva Pinter, MBA ’03, came to the Ohio University College of Business in 2002, she based her decision partly on the “good relationship” established by the College’s 14 years of international Joint Student Consulting Projects with the University of Pécs in Hungary. However, cost was a major consideration. 

Gates Scholars

Larry Gates would like to see Chillicothe, Ohio, area residents become so committed to education that their license plates one day bear this message: "Ross County believes in scholarship." If anyone can inspire such a proclamation, it's Gates.

Gates and his wife, Mary, have taken a bold step that illustrates their belief both in the youth of Ross County and the value of higher education. The couple has committed $10 million to create a scholarship fund that will help students graduating from Ross County high schools pursue college degrees.

Urban Scholars

The Urban Scholars Program is designed to increase the university's diversity by enhancing opportunities for Ohio's urban high school students to enroll and succeed at Ohio University. The program provides scholarship support for graduates of urban school districts who demonstrate excellent academic achievement and financial need.

Appalachian Scholars

The Appalachian Scholars Program is a need-based scholarship initiative that seeks high school students from the 29 counties in Appalachian Ohio and provides them with scholarship support to attend Ohio University.

RoboCup

The RoboCup project, supported by alumni gifts as well as NASA, Ohio University’s 1804 Fund, and the Russ College, integrates computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. To prepare, students and faculty play traditional soccer to learn what they need to help the robots do. Biggs says her favorite part of the project was the teamwork.

AEP Professor

Thanks to a $250,000 gift from American Electric Power that established the AEP Watershed Research and Reclamation Professorship in the George V. Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs, students are studying the effects of mining techniques on an aquifer and gaining valuable hands-on experience.