2023 Ralph Davenport Mershon Award
Tom Waltermire ’71
For Tom Waltermire ’71, leadership and service to Ohio State began the day he arrived on campus in 1967, and hasn’t stopped. As an undergraduate, he was president of Ohio Staters and active in student government, which helped build the leadership skills he later deployed in a successful career as CEO of the Geon Company, the PolyOne Corporation and Team Northeast Ohio.
Despite his busy schedule, Waltermire ’71 always makes time for Ohio State. He served as chair of The Ohio State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, a member of the Buckeye Advocates, and he’s a strong supporter of the Young Alumni Academy, a professional and personal development program to empower young Buckeyes.
Question
What drives you to serve Ohio State?
Ohio State is unquestionably the leading comprehensive academic center in the state. It is exceptionally important to the state of Ohio because of the quality we have here. It prepares so many critically important people so Ohio can be globally competitive.
Question
Why did you become active in the Young Alumni Academy?
We all know there are many skills necessary for a successful career and life that aren’t taught in college. Through the academy, we can provide additional training, coaching and mentoring to our recent graduates. We’re helping to build a base of alumni who will thrive personally and be able to contribute in many ways to the university.
Question
Was there a mentor who set you on your path?
I was blessed with two mentors who were strong businesspeople and devoted to the success of the community. One was John Ong, a two-time Ohio State graduate and former CEO of BFGoodrich, and the other was Bill Patient, CEO of Geon. Like my mentors, I believe you should make the community around you better because you are there. I had a good business career, and during and after that time, I’ve devoted myself to advancing Ohio, in particular Northeast Ohio.
Question
How do you seek to inspire and lead others?
I try to inspire people by building effective teams that achieve goals beyond what they thought was possible. You start by allowing yourself to imagine something beyond the status quo, then you find people who believe that success is best achieved through effective teamwork rather than individual action alone. Next, you give people the resources and support they need. The job of an effective leader is to make your people successful.
“For 56 years, Tom’s leadership skills have benefited Ohio State at every level. His service to the alumni association and the university is impressive, and his keen business knowledge has greatly increased their effectiveness.”
Presented to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to The Ohio State University.