Awards
Awards
The Distinguished Service Award, the How Firm Thy Friendship Award and The Scarlet and Gray Link
The Alumni in Government Awards consist of two awards — the Distinguished Service Award and the How Firm Thy Friendship Award — and are presented annually at the Alumni in Government Luncheon at the Ohio Statehouse. Hosted by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, in partnership with the Office of Government Affairs, this luncheon welcomes and recognizes Ohio State alumni and partners engaged in public service to the State of Ohio.
The Scarlet and Gray Link is an annual award that recognizes an individual, nonprofit organization, business, civic leader or community-based organization whose sustained commitment, collaboration and exemplary leadership has significantly strengthened community relationships between The Ohio State University and the greater Columbus region. This award is presented as part of the annual Buckeyes in the City event.
Awards description
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to two alumni annually whose work in the public sector has provided extraordinary benefit to Ohio citizens and whose service exemplifies Ohio State’s motto: Education for Citizenship.
Honorees, who are nominated and selected by previous recipients of the award, are alumni who served in the public sector for at least 4 years, and are currently employed in the public sector or not currently employed in the public sector, but have continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to public service. Individuals currently holding elected office are not eligible.
The How Firm Thy Friendship Award honors one alum who exemplifies the enduring spirit of Buckeye loyalty through extraordinary service, leadership, and impact. Recipients of this award demonstrate a distinguished record of giving back to The Ohio State University—strengthening its programs, people, and future through sustained engagement and thoughtful advocacy.
Honorees embody Ohio State’s land-grant mission by advancing access, education, and opportunity within their fields and communities. Through a servant-leadership approach, they elevate their profession, inspire colleagues, and model the values at the heart of the Buckeye community. Their public sector work reflects a deep commitment to using their talents for the greater good and to serving as agents of positive change wherever they live and lead.
In celebrating these individuals, the How Firm Thy Friendship Award recognizes alumni who, through time and change, demonstrate unwavering devotion to Ohio State and to the communities they serve...reflecting the very best of the university’s legacy.
This award honors those who exemplify the university’s land-grant mission by fostering meaningful partnerships that advance the well-being, prosperity and vitality of Columbus and its surrounding communities. Recipients demonstrate a record of building trust, creating opportunities for collaboration and generating measurable impact through initiatives that connect the university’s teaching, research, service, healthcare, outreach or economic development activities with community priorities and needs.
The award, which is presented at the annual Buckeye in the City reception, celebrates exceptional efforts to bridge the university and the broader community, resulting in lasting benefits for residents, students, faculty, staff and regional stakeholders.
The award seeks to recognize individuals or organizations that have:
- Strengthened relationships between The Ohio State University and the greater Columbus region
- Advanced mutually beneficial partnerships that create measurable community impact
- Demonstrated sustained leadership in fostering collaboration across sectors
- Enhanced civic engagement, economic development, educational opportunity, health outcomes, cultural enrichment and community well-being
- Served as a model for productive university-community engagement
2026 Award winners
Distinguished Service Award
Betsy Luper Schuster
Administrative Appeal Examiner
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Distinguished Service Award
Jill Schuler
Senior Director of Operations
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
How Firm Thy Friendship Award
Kimberly Burns
Assistant Secretary of State
Office of the Ohio Secretary of State
The Scarlet and Gray Link
Michael B. Coleman
2017-2025 Recipients
2025 Goran Babic & Kevin Miller
2024 Heather Blessing & Vincent Keeran
2023 Ursel McElroy & Craig Fleck
2022 Amanda Blackford & Molly Rafeld
2021 Judi French & Kim Murnieks
2019 Lori Criss & Jonathon McGee
2018 Raymond Di Rossi & Gary Mohr
2017 Matthew Damschroder & Damian Sikora
2025 Matthew Peters
2024 Kara Wente
2023 Brittney Colvin
2022 Charles See
2021 Jim Bennett
2019 Alisha Nelson
2018 Emerald Hernández-Parra
2025 Trudy Bartley
2006-2016 Recipients
2016 Michelle Chavanne & Dana McDaniel
2015 Jonathan Allison & Charles Moses
2014 Mary Mertz & Dennis Papp
2013 Tony Bledsoe & G. Michael Payton
2012 Jennifer Parker & Thomas Sherman
2011 Tracy Plouck & Thomas Stickrath
2010 John Barron & Lisa Patt-McDaniel
2009 Paolo DeMaria
2008 Janenne Allen & Thomas Walsh
2007 Matthew Schuler & Veronica Sherman
2006 Andrew DiPalma & Brian Perera
2016 Merle Madrid