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The Ohio State University is proud to lead the celebration of Jesse Owens' legacy on the 75th anniversary of his stellar performance in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

The Jesse Owens 75th Anniversary Celebration will take place April 21–24, 2011, in conjunction with Ohio State’s spring football game and the Jesse Owens Track Classic.

A dinner banquet in the new Ohio Union Archie Griffin Ballroom will gather nationally recognized speakers, prominent corporate and community leaders, members of the Ohio State community, and members of Jesse’s beloved family.

Through this celebration, we will honor the memory of Jesse Owens and his trailblazing life that links us as Americans and inspires us to achieve greatness.

Jesse Owens 75th Anniversary Celebration Schedule of Events

April 12–May 4, 2011
Display of Jesse Owens memorabilia over his lifetime

Thompson Library
First Floor Exhibition Gallery

April 14, 2011
Jesse Owens: Running Between Race

7 p.m.
Buckeye Reading Room, Thompson Library
A talk by Ohio State history professor David Steigerwald, followed by a discussion with undergraduate students

April 21, 2011
Diversity Lecture Series

4:30–5:30 p.m.
Drinko Hall, Saxbe Auditorium
55 W. 12th Avenue (map)

Celebration Dinner

7–9 p.m. Cocktail attire requested
Ohio Union, Archie Griffin Ballroom
1738 N. High Street (map)
Ticket and Sponsorship information

April 23, 2011
Spring Football Game

1:30 p.m.
Ohio Stadium
410 Woody Hayes Drive (map)

Jesse Owens Track Classic

6–10 p.m.
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
250 Fred Taylor Drive (map)

April 24, 2011
Jesse Owens Track Classic

10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
250 Fred Taylor Drive (map)

Jesse understood quite well that an important part of being a role model and a leader means giving back. In that spirit, all proceeds from the Jesse Owens 75th Anniversary Celebration will be used to support two passions of Jesse’s — socioeconomically disadvantaged undergraduate students and the men’s and women’s track programs.

Jesse Owens 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Please note that Thursday’s dinner is now sold out.
Thank you for your interest in supporting scholarships for the Ruth and Jesse Owens Scholars. If you would still like to make a donation, please make a gift to the Owens Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Statue unveiling, 1:30 p.m.
Door opens for main ballroom, 6:30 p.m.
Dinner/Program, 7–9 p.m.
Cocktail attire requested for Celebration Dinner events.

Accommodations

Blackwell Inn

2110 Tuttle Park Place
Columbus, OH
(614) 247-4000
Web site | Directions

Hilton Garden Inn

3232 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH
(614) 263-7200
Web site | Directions

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

3045 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
(614) 447-1212
Web site | Directions

Hyatt Place, Columbus OSU

900 Goodale Blvd.
Columbus, OH
(614) 280-1234
Web site | Directions


Marriott - Fairfield Inn & Suites

3031 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
(614) 267-1111
Web site | Directions

Red Roof Inn — OSU

441 Ackerman Road
Columbus, OH
(614) 267-9941
Web site | Directions

University Plaza Hotel

3110 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
(614) 267-7461
Web site | Directions

Varsity Inn North Hotel

3246 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
1-866-678-8277 or
(614) 267-4646
Web site | Directions


Varsity Inn South Hotel

1445 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
1-866-678-8277 or
(614) 291-2983
Web site | Directions