96-05-31 Faculty Spouse Wins Volunteer Award

SOCIETY HONORS DAYTON MAN FOR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER WORK

     COLUMBUS -- Marvin Olinsky's passion for Sierra Leone takes 
him back to Africa each summer to teach basic skills and 
subsistence agriculture techniques.

     For his West African volunteer project, Victory Garden, 
Olinsky, a DAYTON resident, has received the Frances J. Ockerman 
International Award from The Ohio State University's Agricultural 
Circle. The annual award recognizes a staff or faculty member's 
spouse who contributes to international human relations or 
promotes agriculture in the international community.

     Frances Ockerman was married to professor emeritus Herbert 
Ockerman.  Mrs. Ockerman taught English to her husband's 
international students and checked their theses.  The former 
students fund the Ockerman Award with their donations.

     Olinsky is the husband of Christine Olinsky, an Ohio State 
University Extension agent in Montgomery County.  He directs Five 
Rivers MetroParks in Montgomery County.

     For 30 years, Marvin Olinsky has been very much involved in 
Dayton community projects.  He first visited Sierra Leone in 
1993, after learning about the country from a friend who had been 
in the Peace Corps.

     Mrs. Olinsky supports her husband's efforts by raising funds 
for Victory Gardens and encouraging his trips to West Africa.  
She said Mr. Olinsky dreams of spending two or three months there 
each year when he retires.

     The volunteers "have put, not only their hearts and souls 
into the project but physical strength," said Diane Waters, 
chair of the Agricultural Circle.  Victory Gardens teachers show 
Sierra Leone residents how to build latrines, make compost heaps, 
plow fields and harvest crops.

     Last year, Mr. Olinsky and a friend taught agriculture at a 
school for the blind.  In preparation, they attended an ox 
driving school in Michigan.  They also arranged for donations of 
several oxen, which are used for plowing and harvesting.

     The Agriculture Circle organization for women was founded in 
1916 by Frances Vivian, wife of the dean of the College of 
Agriculture and Home Economics, Alfred Vivian.
                             #

Contact: Diane Waters, (614) 292-2001.
         Marvin Olinsky, (513) 279-0282.


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Fri, 31 May 1996 16:17:35 -0400]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.