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Celebrating mentors

January 26, 2016

Ohio State celebrates National Mentoring Month and those Buckeye mentors who have lasting impact on the lives of others.


The first time Gerard “Moe” Modecki sat across from his mentee, Modecki felt as if he was looking at a version of himself from 40 years ago.

The Fisher College of Business Alumni Undergraduate Mentor Program brought together Modecki (’75, ’76) and Ben Eddingfield, a third-year finance major from Sylvania, Ohio.

Modecki recently retired from a 37-year career with Marathon Oil Corp., while Eddingfield is just building the foundation for his career. They meet every other week to talk about Eddingfield's classes, upcoming interviews and career plans. Modecki was instrumental in helping Eddingfield figure out which summer internship opportunity would best enhance his education. But they also have become friends, bonding over a love of sports and similarities in their family backgrounds.

“Our mentors provide professional guidance and genuinely care about their mentee’s well-being and aspirations academically, professionally and personally,” says Lorraine Pennyman, assistant director of the business school’s Undergraduate Leadership and Engagement Office. “The mentorship program strengthens our Fisher community.”

Already a supporter of scholarships and other university initiatives, Modecki sees mentoring as just another opportunity to give back. He hopes more students take advantage of the global Buckeye community as they embark on their careers.

“You have a network of over 500,000 Buckeye graduates around the world that you can call on and talk with,” he says. “There’s nothing more powerful.”

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Taking 'a positive step'

The Mentor-A-Buckeye program, developed by fourth-year student DaVonti’ Haynes, is gaining national attention.

Learn more about how the program works and what it has meant to alumnus Joe DePalma (’10, ’11), a high school teacher in Dublin, Ohio.