2025 Ralph Davenport Mershon Award
Roberto Abramson ’77 MBA
This Buckeye has spent 50+ years building Ohio State's presence in Brazil, helping recruit the next generation of international students from 4,900 miles away.
More than 4,900 miles separate Columbus, Ohio, from Recife, Brazil, but business consultant Roberto Abramson ‘77 MBA has maintained a lifelong connection to the university he loves.
As co-founder and president of the Ohio State Alumni Club of Brazil, Abramson connects Brazilian Buckeyes through webinars, game parties and networking groups. He also works closely with the Ohio State Brazil Gateway team to create business and educational opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and researchers in both countries.
Abramson’s ties to the institution run deep. His father, Isaac Abramson ’46 MS, was also a student at Ohio State. “I grew up hearing of my father’s experiences at Ohio State, so when I wanted to pursue graduate studies, I chose Ohio State,” he says.
After earning his MBA, Abramson returned to Brazil and launched a career as a chief executive officer and marketing consultant. For more than 45 years, he has shared his expertise and connections, strengthening Ohio State’s presence in Brazil.
In 2020, Abramson founded the Alumni Club of Brazil. “We are a small but vibrant group,” he says. “We have grandparents like me and young people who share the same feeling– we all love and miss our alma mater. Our club members praise the Buckeye spirit as a lifetime mark in our hearts.”
“The time and attention Roberto Abramson dedicates to expanding Ohio State's presence in Brazil is an example of leadership and service to the university on an international scale.”
Brazilian Buckeyes are located all over the country, which is slightly larger in mass than the United States, but distance hasn’t deterred Abramson and his team. They created a WhatsApp group and host webinars on topics ranging from business to music history. Abramson, also a talented musician and composer, recently entertained alumni with a presentation on bossa nova, a Brazilian musical genre blending samba with cool jazz.
Each year, club members gather in São Paulo for the Ohio State versus Michigan game. “Everyone wears clothes with the Ohio State logo,” Abramson says. “We enjoy beers and snacks, and we scream after each Ohio State touchdown with as much excitement as if it were the World Cup.”
The club members’ passion extends to creating new Buckeyes as well. They help recruit students and have raised scholarship money for Brazilians pursuing Ohio State programs. As for Abramson, he’d like to continue a family tradition that began 80 years ago. “I hope to see my two youngest children study at Ohio State one day,” he says.
Presented to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to The Ohio State University.