9-18-98

GLENN INSTITUTE TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND PUBLIC POLICY

	COLUMBUS -- A new institute committed to enhancing public 
service and public policy at all levels of government will be 
established at The Ohio State University and named in honor of 
U.S. Senator John Glenn.  

	The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public 
Policy is designed to provide expanded academic and service 
experiences for students, and practical educational opportunities 
for citizens and policymakers.  Faculty research concerning 
pressing American problems will be shared with government 
officials through institute programming.

	Glenn and University President William E. Kirwan announced 
establishment of the institute today (9/18) before an audience of  
students, faculty, staff and members of the public.  Glenn told 
the group, “Because the vitality of our democracy depends on the 
active participation of citizens, each generation has a 
responsibility to instill in its successors a strong commitment 
to public interest and public service.  Education is critical to 
sustaining this tradition.”

	Glenn’s collection of papers, which he has donated to Ohio 
State, will be used as an institute resource in linking public 
service objectives with research and teaching activities.  

	Glenn already has been appointed as a University Honors 
Distinguished Fellow and an adjunct professor in both the School 
of Public Policy and Management and the Department of Political 
Science.  He has said that after his retirement from the Senate, 
he wants to work with Ohio’s youth to encourage and foster public 
service and to decrease young people’s cynicism about politics.

	“If we are to achieve our potential in communities, states, 
and the nation, we must all be participants in public life and 
not just turn over the reigns of democracy at all levels of 
government and public institutions to a dwindling few who may or 
may not be the best qualified,” Glenn said.

	Creation of the institute reflects the commitment that Glenn 
and the university have made to promote pride in public service 
and to cultivate scholarly contributions to the development of 
public policy.

	A series of institute initiatives to enhance participation 
in public service is planned to reach students in their 
classrooms and residence halls, and in the campus and surrounding 
communities.

	Organizers are considering a variety of academic 
initiatives, including creating an undergraduate major in public 
policy; establishing a public ethics program; designing student 
leadership development experiences; partnering with groups and 
entities in Ohio and across the United States to improve 
citizenship training for precollege youth; and hosting a 
distinguished public servant in residence.

	Development of a public service living and learning center 
is under consideration as one way for institute programming to 
reach students outside the classroom.

	Expanded public service internship opportunities in Columbus 
and Washington, D.C., will be facilitated through the institute.  
The university also hopes to contribute to the quality of 
governance through training seminars focusing on the mechanics of 
public service, targeting such audiences as newly elected public 
servants or mid-career officials.

	Finally, the institute will serve as a vehicle through which 
Ohio State research on critical issues facing the country can be 
disseminated to appropriate audiences in a variety of settings.  
Public outreach also will extend to the sponsorship of 
conferences and symposia, including one major annual national 
conference on subjects central to Glenn’s career.

	“We expect to have a particularly broad reach with this 
institute because it involves students, faculty, citizens and 
public officials in the pursuit of a stronger American 
democracy,” Kirwan said.  “By stimulating student interest in 
public leadership and sharing results of university-based policy 
research, the Glenn Institute will be a truly national resource.”

	The university will provide funding for the institute and 
will also seek grants from state, federal and private sources.  A 
$20 million fund-raising goal for the Glenn Institute has been 
incorporated into Ohio State’s $1 billion Affirm Thy Friendship 
Campaign, now under way.

	“We will be asking for support from our many friends who 
care about student careers in public service and good public 
policy and who wish to honor Senator Glenn’s career and 
commitment to the future in a meaningful way,” Kirwan said.

	Program planning for the institute has begun, with a major 
national conference to be held this spring.  For the time being, 
the institute will be housed in Stillman Hall on the campus, with 
eventual plans to move it to a permanent location.

                               #

Contact: Herb Asher, counselor to the president, (614) 292-0803.