The Investiture of President Drake

"Improving access to higher education has always been an important part of my motivation as a university leader, and it will continue to be," President Drake said in his university address last October.

On Tuesday, March 31, Dr. Michael V. Drake will be officially honored as President of The Ohio State University. Six students, however, have already had the opportunity to thank him for the support they have received through The President Drake Scholarship Fund.

President Drake's Scholarship supports a student at each Ohio State branch Lima, Marion, Wooster, Mansfield, Newark and Columbus- regardless of major or hometown.

"I chose to make the long journey from Jupiter, Florida to Columbus, Ohio because I have always felt a special connection with The Ohio State University," said Casey Melnick, a first year student. "Ever since I was little, it has been a dream of mine to attend The Ohio State University. This dream, however, would never have been possible without the support I received from scholarships like The President Drake Scholarship."

Speaking of Ohio State's roots as a land-grant agricultural and technical college, President Drake said, "[our] purpose was to bring a college degree within the reach of all people, including the sons and daughters of the farmers and working people - the backbone of our societ."

One of his scholarship recipients, Nathan Blevins, is a first-year agronomy student at Ohio State Wooster, who plans to own his own agricultural firm after graduation. The President Drake Scholarship allows Nathan to work 20 hours a week, instead of more, on top of his 17 credit hours.

President Drake remarked, "For so many, a college education is a bridge to the middle class and beyond, as well as a bridge to a better quality of life."

In a thank-you note to him, Leigh Lehman, a first year student at Ohio State Lima said, "It is people like you that make my journey that much easier, making it possible for me to eventually support my daughter appropriately."

President Drake's investiture will be an academic ceremony to provide an opportunity to welcome a new chapter of Ohio State's history, one that has already started with student support.