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2020 E. Gordon Gee Spirit of Ohio State Award

Ohio Staters, Inc group photo

Ohio Staters, Inc.

Ohio Staters, Inc., is celebrated for its long legacy of promoting the welfare and traditions of our Buckeye collective.

By Ross Bishoff

Bailey Conrad is sitting in the Ohio Staters, Inc., office, looking through photos that date back to 1933 when the organization was created.

“Brutus Buckeye stems from us, campus concerts and bowl trips stem from us, a lot of student organizations stem from the ideas of our organization,” says Conrad, a senior biochemistry major and the president of Ohio Staters. “It’s really cool to carry on this legacy.”

Ohio Staters is made up of 36 students and 14 faculty and staff members committed to enhancing the university through projects that promote its welfare and traditions. It is Ohio State’s oldest student service organization, and its members are chosen through a semesterly application process.

Conrad recently explained what it’s like to be part of Ohio Staters and its role within the university community.

Why did you join Ohio Staters?

I wanted to get involved on campus and make an impact. I found Ohio Staters, Inc., on one of my first days on campus and was instantly drawn to its mission. Being from Missouri, not having connections to the school, it allowed me to find my niche here. I love this organization. It allows me to serve the campus community and give back to the school that’s given me so much.

Would you say you’ve personally gained skills by being part of this group of passionate Buckeyes?

I’ve learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration. We are a smaller organization so we depend on each other. We’re students and faculty, so it allows for unique collaborations and perspectives that enable our projects to be their best. As president, I’m able to see how important each component of our team is for the success of a project.

A lot of these projects focus on bringing Buckeyes together. Are there any you’ve especially enjoyed?

One we’ve done for many years is Light up the Lake. Hundreds of students and staff come to Mirror Lake for a big lighting ceremony [in early December]. Everyone sings “Carmen Ohio.” We have different groups perform. It brings us all together before finals week and winter break.

Another was the Script Ohio sculpture [a 20,000-pound granite monument south of Ohio Stadium]. It commemorates the history of the marching band. We had an unveiling ceremony in the fall of 2018 with a lot of band members in attendance, and it was awesome to be part of that.

Are there any we can look forward to?

A new one is Global Carmeny. We’re translating “Carmen Ohio” into different languages and publishing it on a sign in the Ohio Union. It’s a way to promote the university's diversity.

See All 2020 Alumni Award Honorees