2020 Josephine Sitterle Failer Award

My experience with the Office of Student Life started through Amy’s volunteer work. When we learned about BuckeyeThon, it was my awakening. To see a student-led fundraising event run with such energy, efficiency and passion was inspiring. From that night on, more opportunities came about to meet, work with and get to know the students on an individual basis.

What I found was a group of smart, diverse and engaged students who want to make a difference at the university and in the world. Even with our current health crisis, I’ve found the students are undeterred, excited and hopeful. They are looking ahead to the next step, moving on with their careers and paying it forward. All of them are thrilled with their time at Ohio State and their education. The university has really branched out into the community, which is all for the better.

While Ohio State was a very different place when I was a student, it had incredible resources, even if you had to dig a bit. I was able to design a curriculum around Islamic studies of art history, history, philosophy and languages. Forty-some years later, I would make the same choice. In today’s world, I have more insight and understanding of what is going on. An undergraduate degree can prepare you for careers in hard sciences, business or other disciplines, but more importantly, it can also give you a foundation of curiosity for lifelong learning.

Actually, I found out on a Zoom call! I was pleased and flattered to receive this honor, and the fact that my wife also received the same award last year is really incredible. I don’t expect recognition like this, and being familiar with what it was, I was overwhelmed.