2022 E. Gordon Gee Spirit of Ohio State Award
Alumni Club of Indonesia
The Alumni Club of Indonesia, winner of the E. Gordon Gee Spirit Award, did not let a global pandemic dampen their enthusiasm. They instead became more creative and productive. In 2021 alone, Buckeyes in Indonesia held an impressive 14 club events, the most engagements of any Ohio State alumni club or society either domestically or abroad.
“We knew how important it was to our members to maintain their business and social connections, and our whole team came together to make that happen,” says Johnwei Muljono ’89, president of the club, which has about 300 members.
The club took its events online, hosting webinars, an education fair, a conference on the digital economy and talk shows on geopolitics and parenting. They sponsored online game watches to cheer on the Buckeyes. They even raised $20,000 to buy personal protective equipment for health care workers to support their response to the pandemic.
“We are all volunteers, and we give our time because we have this passion to deliver something meaningful and sustainable,” says Muljono.
Since the club’s founding in 2016, the self-proclaimed Indo Buckeyes have focused on business, educational and social activities to engage alumni and to promote Ohio State to Indonesian students and the country’s leaders.
“We all are very proud of our connection to Ohio State, and many of us came back from Columbus to help build our country,” Muljono says. “We want to carry forward that foundation as we engage the younger generation in Indonesia.”
“The Alumni Club of Indonesia illustrates a devotion to alma mater in a way that few others can match. Their collaborative spirit, humble approach and continual pursuit of excellence embody what makes this university and alumni club so special.”
To that end, the club worked closely with government leaders in Indonesia to get Ohio State listed as a “university of choice” for students wanting to study abroad. “That is an important distinction because the government will only give scholarships to students attending a university of choice,” he says.
In 2022, the club resumed in-person events, starting with a Tech Expo featuring the founders of five start-up technology firms, all Ohio State alumni, and the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. In November, the club will host Columbus Night, a celebration of music, dancing and fashion for Indo Buckeyes and their friends.
This award recognizes people and programs who demonstrate a devotion to Ohio State and promotes school spirit with integrity and honor in an effort to elevate the university and its history.