University leaders celebrate student-athletes’ classroom success

University leaders celebrate student-athletes' classroom success

President Carter also lauds Ohio State's across-the-state impact, bright future with new University Hospital

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Thursday heralded the success of Buckeye athletes - not just in sports.

Ohio State and its 36 varsity teams are experiencing the best-ever combination of academic and athletic success, Ross Bjork, the Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, told trustees on Thursday in the Athletics committee meeting.

The NCAA recently released a new report on graduation success rates, which tracks the graduation rate of students receiving sport-based financial aid over a six-year period. Twenty-three teams had a rate of 90% or better, while 15 Buckeye teams had a perfect score.

"We're just really proud of the academic profile," Bjork said.

President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. told the full board meeting later in the day that this kind of success speaks to the culture that Bjork, coaches and staff are setting where the "student" part of "student-athlete" continues to be emphasized.

"We're very proud of our tradition of excellence on and off the field," Carter said.

Ohio State's excellence isn't confined to fields, courts and classrooms. It is spread across Ohio's 88 counties.

A new university impact reportshares accounts of the incredible work being done by the Buckeye community, telling a comprehensive story that helps to "bring greater visibility to our work and ensure that Ohioans have awareness of the ways Ohio State touches their lives," the president said.

University officials also highlighted key projects in an annual review of major campus building projects, including the new University Hospital, in the Master Planning and Facilities committee meeting this week. The hospital is scheduled to open in early 2026 and its construction included more than 7 million hours worked by tradespeople, with a peak of 1,200 workers on site.

Construction began on the hospital in September 2020 and finished on time and on budget.

Carter extolled the largest single-facilities project in Ohio State history.

"While I'm excited to cut the ribbon, I'm far more excited about the transformational work that will take place inside this incredible new space," Carter told trustees. "The advances in cancer care, women's and infant health, stroke care, organ transplantation and other areas will change and save untold lives across Ohio and beyond."

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Executive Master of Health Administration degree established
Trustees approved the creation of an Executive Master of Health Administration degree program in the College of Public Health. The program is an extension of the accredited full-time, residential, early career Master of Health Administration program and would extend the reach of the program to more experienced mid-career professionals.

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

East Hospital elevator renovations
Professional services totaling $1.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

East Hospital fire suppression system
Professional services and construction totaling $7.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Newton Hall air handling unit replacements
Professional services and construction totaling $12 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Veterinary medical academic building library redesign
Professional services and construction totaling $4.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Dental simulation space modernization
Construction totaling $16 million, to be paid for with university debt, university funds and state funds.

Ohio Stadium, Woody Hayes Athletic Center audio and video upgrades
Construction totaling $6.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds and university debt.

Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell
Construction totaling $4.7 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved degrees and certificates to be conferred on Dec. 21, 2025, to people who have completed the requirements.

The board also revoked a doctor of philosophy degree and a bachelor of arts degree after the appropriate bodies and administrative officers of the university complied with applicable procedures.

Resolutions in Memoriam

• Ann D. Christy, who died on Oct. 3, 2025, at age 63. She was associate dean and professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Clyde C. Goad, who died on July 21, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the former Department of Geodetic Science and Surveying.

• William "Bill" E. Henderson, who died on Aug. 13, 2024. He was associate professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Paul R. Hothem, who died on July 7, 2025. He was assistant professor emeritus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• James "Jim" Gottling, who died on Oct. 29, 2025, at age 92. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering.

• Jacqueline E. LaMuth, who died on July 28, 2025. She was associate professor emerita in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

• Brian G. McHale, who died on July 27, 2025, at age 73. He was professor emeritus in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Helen Deacon Swank, who died on Aug. 6, 2025, at age 93. She was professor emerita of voice in the School of Music in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Desh Pal Singh Verma, who died on Oct. 10, 2025. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Molecular Genetics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Thomas A. Willke, who died on Aug. 21, 2025, at age 93. He was a founding member of the Department of Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Report on low enrollment courses and duplicate programs approved
Trustees approved submission of the report to the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Ohio Revised Code requires each state institution of higher education to evaluate courses and programs based on enrollments and duplication with other state institutions of higher education within a geographic region.

Chatham Lane property purchase approved
Trustees approved the purchase of 2.646 acres at 941 Chatham Lane in Columbus at a price of $3.55 million.

Golf course dues and fees approved
Trustees approved golf course membership dues and fees for calendar year 2026. The Ohio State University Golf Club Green Committee and Athletics administration propose raising membership dues and initiation fees to cover rising costs, maintain financial stability, and fund club improvements in 2026.

Revisions to the interim policy on faculty appointments, faculty workload, tenure and retrenchment
The board approved revisions to the interim policy to align with the Ohio legislature's faculty workload policy requirements.

Amendment to the rules of the university faculty approved
The board approved an amendment to the rules of the university faculty as approved by the University Senate. The amendment would change the process for reviewing complaints pertaining to research compliance to ensure that faculty with relevant research experience perform these research compliance investigations.

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following faculty appointments and reappointments:

Appointments

• Elliott Bendoly as professor (The Richard M. Ross Chair in Management) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Laura Flannigan as assistant professor (The Warner Woodring Chair in History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Larry Garvin as professor (The Leon M. McCorkle Jr. Professorship in Commercial Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Anna Gawboy as associate professor (Colleen McMahon Professorship in Music) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Kurt Gray as professor (Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Psychology) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Dec. 4, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Roger Goddard as professor (Novice G. Fawcett Chair in Educational Administration) in the College of Education and Human Ecology for a term running from Sept. 15, 2025, through Sept. 14, 2030.
• Jennifer Gold as professor and chair (The Harry C. and Mary Elizabeth Powelson Professorship of Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Dec. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Maryanna Klatt as professor-clinical (Endowed Chair in Integrative Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Joseph Kwon as professor (Richard M. Morrow Chair in Polymer Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Robert Lount as professor (Irving Abramowitz Memorial Professorship) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Olan Munson as assistant professor (Dr. Chris Lee Endowed Professorship in Korean) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Michael Murphy as assistant professor-clinical (Smathers Designated Professor at the Moritz Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Efthimi Parasidis as professor (The Kara J. Trott Endowed Professorship in Law in honor of Prof. Morgan E. Shipman) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 15, 2025, through Nov. 14, 2030.
• Erik Porfeli as interim dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology for a term running from Jan. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, or until a permanent dean is appointed.
• Paul Reitter as professor (The Ohio Eminent Scholar in German) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Blaine Saito as associate professor (The Lawrence D. Stanley Professorship in Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Colleen Settineri as professor-clinical (The Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Professorship for the Administration of Justice and Rule of Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 15, 2025, through Nov. 14, 2030.
• Abraham Schneider as professor (The George C. Paffenbarger Alumni Chair in Dental Research) in the College of Dentistry for a term running from Nov. 3, 2025, through Nov. 2, 2030.
• Bennett Tepper as professor (John A. Russell Chair for Communication Excellence) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Andrew Van Buskirk as professor (The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation Professorship in Business) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2030.
• Xiaoguang Wang as assistant professor (The H.C. 'Slip' Slider Professorship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Lin Zhu Newsad as assistant professor (Elizabeth McKeever Ross Professorship Fund) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Reappointments

• Yigit Akin as associate professor (Carter V. Findley Chair of Ottoman and Turkish History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Arnab Chakravarti as professor and chair (Klotz Family Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Jeffrey Chalmers as professor (Helen C. Kurtz Chair in Chemical Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
• Daniel Chow as professor (The Frank E. and Virginia H. Bazler Chair in Business Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 16, 2025, through Nov. 15, 2030.
• Louis DiMauro as professor (The Dr. Edward E. and Sylvia Hagenlocker Chair in Physics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.
• Edward Foley as professor (Charles W. Ebersold and Florence Whitcomb Ebersold Chair) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 16, 2025, through Nov. 15, 2030.
• John Fulton as professor (The Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering Endowed Professorship) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2029.
• Jingyin Huang as associate professor (The Alice Louise Ridenour Wood Chair in Mathematics) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 15, 2030.
• Dorothee Imbert as professor and director (The Hubert Schmidt Chair in Landscape Architecture) in the College of Engineering for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
• Alan Michaels as professor (The Edwin M. Cooperman Endowed Chair at The Michael E. Mortiz College of Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Feb. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2031.
• Erin Moore as assistant professor (Dr. Carl F. Asseff Professorship in Anthropology and History of Medicine) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2024, through June 30, 2030.
• David Nagib as professor (Dr. Harold "Hal" Miller and Betty J. Miller Endowed Chair in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2027.
• Rita Pickler as professor (FloAnn Sours Easton Endowed Professorship in Child and Adolescent Health) in the College of Nursing for a term running from Oct. 1, 2025, through May 15, 2028.
• James Rocco as professor and chair (The Mary E. and John W. Alford Research Chair in Head and Neck Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
• Bruce Weinberg as professor (Eric Byron Fix-Monda Endowed Chair) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Dec. 4, 2025, through Aug. 14, 2026.

Trustees also approved the appointment of John Horack as vice president, Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, for a term running from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2027, and Rob Lowden as vice president and chief information officer starting Aug. 1, 2025.

East Hospital Level III Trauma Center verification approved
Trustees approved the triennial review of a Level III Trauma Center at East Hospital.

Amendments to bylaws and rules and regulations approved
The board approved amendments to the bylaws of the medical staff at The Ohio State University Hospitals, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, and amendments to the bylaws and rules and regulations of medical staff at Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

FY25 Progress Report on the Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency in Higher Education recommendations approved
The board approved the progress report as required each fiscal year by the Ohio legislature.

University Foundation Report approved
The board approved, as of Oct. 31, 2025, the establishment of: one endowed chair as part of the Provost's Endowed Chair Matching Program: the Eric Byron Fix-Monda Endowed Chair; two endowed chairs: the Seth Andre Myers Chair in Global Military History and the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Psychology; one endowed chair fund as part of the Provost's Endowed Chair Matching Program: the Horticulture and Crop Science Chair Fund for Future Molecular Plant Scientists - Bridging University Research and High School Classrooms; three endowed professorships: The William E. and Charlotte Curtis Hunt Professorship in the Department of Neurosurgery, The Daniel H. Reigle Endowed Professorship in Sarcoma Research and Care, and the Elizabeth McKeever Ross Professorship; five scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 34 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 13 named endowed funds.

Naming of spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The registration room in The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute as The Herbert J. Block Memorial Tournament Patient Registration.
• The turfgrass innovation lab in the Secrest Welcome and Education Center at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Wooster campus as the James L. Prusa Turfgrass Innovation Lab.
• The Capstone Room A (room W258) in Scott Laboratory as the Kimmet Family Capstone Room.
• The CARE Student Lounge in Hitchcock Hall as the Minnie M. McGee Academic Success Hub.

Trustees also approved the naming of the following internal spaces:

At University Hospital:

• Lampert Family Auditorium
• The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation Visitor Lounge (Rooms 14000, X1403L, 14040)
• Gift in memory of William and Peg Armbrust by their grateful son, Douglas W. Armbrust, MD '67 (Room 17582)
• Jane's Room (Room 23420)

At the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex:

• Dr. Charles H. Ingraham Memorial Lobby
• VAL-CO Broiler Room (room D113)

At Engineering Research and Education Laboratories:

• Douglas "Ben" Herr and Jane Maliszewski Impact Engineering Lab (room 4260)
• Douglas "Ben" Herr and Jane Maliszewski Impact Engineering Collaboration Space (room 4319)
• The George and Gretchen Smith Lab (room 1230
• The James L. and Anita Y. Balthaser Lobby (X104L
• The Victor Yin EED Teaching Prep Room (room 1210)
• Smariga Collaboration Space (room 2235)
• The Joseph and Mary Jane Paquin Makerspace Office (room 1320)
• Tim and Susan Sand Conference Room (room 2243)
• The Allan V. Johnson Reception Area (room 6300)
• Bud and Shelley Baeslack Conference Room (room 6215)
• KG and Nivedita Ganapathi IBE Innovation Space (room 3243)
• The Mark Eisenman Family Collaboration Space (room 2227)
• The Ece & Doruk Borecki Family Huddle Room (room 2229)
• The Schavey Family Graduate Office (room 5229)
• The Byrne Family Foundation Collaboration Space (room 1227)
• Lincoln Electric Foundations Lab (room 1240)
• Lincoln Electric Collaboration Space (room 1235)
• Lincoln Electric Conference Room (room 1243)
• Lincoln Electric Huddle Room (room 1229)
• Lincoln Electric Collaboration Space (room 1241)

Trustees also approved the administrative naming of the Engineering Research and Education Laboratories building at the corner of West Woodruff Avenue and College Road.

More Ohio State News