What it means to be a Buckeye
What it means to be a Buckeye
As told by Adam Knisley, Ohio State Engagement Specialist
At the Engagement Center, the best part of our day is talking to alumni like Rod Myers ’75, who exemplifies what it means to be a Buckeye: being part of a community that fosters connection, never stops learning and gives back, together.
Last fall, Rod called the Engagement Center looking for information on how to join fellow alumni on a trip to Pasadena to see Ohio State play in the Rose Bowl — a life-long dream of his.
When Ohio State was confirmed for the 2021 Rose Bowl, he decided it was the perfect time to fulfill his dream and take the trip to Pasadena. Prior to the game, at Ohio State Alumni Club of Los Angeles events, Rod formed new connections with members of the Buckeye community, including President Kristina M. Johnson, PhD and Gene Smith, former football player and coach who now serves as Senior Vice President and Athletic Director.
“As I got closer to my retirement and was eventually fully retired, I started to take a deeper look at the organizations I was associated with and which ones helped me along the way. I have always loved Ohio State and have always been a huge fan. For me, through Program 60, being able to walk around and spend time on campus really demonstrated the value of supporting The Ohio State University. Going on unique trips with the alumni association alongside others who are also so passionate about Ohio State has made giving back to Ohio State an easy decision.”
Between a great win for the team and new Buckeye bonds in LA, Rod’s trip to the Rose Bowl with The Ohio State University Alumni Association was more fulfilling than he ever imagined.
Since his trip to Pasadena, we've stayed in touch with Rod, learning more about his background and connection to his alma mater. Rod earned his MBA in 1975, but his learning at Ohio State didn't stop there — in 2011, Rod started taking classes through Program 60, which allows Ohio residents 60 and older to take tuition-free courses. His most recent class, Travels to Greece: The Search for a Cultural Ideal, helped prepare Rod for his upcoming six-week trip to Europe with two weeks in Greece. These enriching courses are helping Rod continue his pursuit of life-long learning.
Experiences like these have inspired Rob to pay forward so other Buckeyes can thrive, making gifts to areas like the Fisher College of Business and Thompson Library.
Story collected by Adam Knisley, written and edited by Will Hejduk