Board of Trustees recognizes national championship win, creates new college, passes 18 resolutions

Jeremy Savitz
Fri, 30 Jan 2015 20:11:56 +0000
Area, Campus, Local, board of trustees, College Football Playoff National Championship, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, John Glenn School of Public Affairs, meeting, osu

Former Sen. John Glenn (left) and his wife, Annie (right), attend the Board of Trustees meeting Jan. 30. The creation of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs was one of 18 resolutions passed at the meeting. Credit: Jeremy Savitz / Lantern reporter

Ohio State’s Board of Trustees kicked off the final meeting of the week with recognition of the national championship win and the work of a former senator and astronaut on Friday.

“I can’t imagine a better illustration of what this university is about than to celebrate a national championship… and Sen. John Glenn,” Board of Trustees Chairman Jeffrey Wadsworth said.

National Championship

OSU co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell addressed the Board of Trustees, along with four players, expressing his thanks to the school, fans, and the board.

“On behalf of Coach Meyer, myself, and the entire football team, we want to thank you guys,” Fickell said. “It was a magical year and quite a run. The adverse things that happened to us is what defined us. Together we can achieve more, (and that) is a true testament to what we achieved this football season.”

John Glenn College of Public Affairs

In addition to the recognition of the national championship-winning football team, the board also recognized the achievements of Glenn, a former senator and astronaut, with a tribute video and the creation of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

The school, since its founding, has reported to the Office of Academic Affairs as a free-standing, tenure-initiating and degree granting unit. The college has more than 550 students and already offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, according to its website.

“The thing that impresses me is not, as important as it is and as much as I appreciate it, just having my name connected with a college,” Glenn said. “The important thing is looking forward and setting up conditions so that more and more of our young people can participate in this unique form of government we have in this country.”

OSU President Michael Drake also spoke at the meeting about the impact Glenn had on the many different areas he has focused his efforts.

“There are few figures in our nation’s history that demonstrate John Glenn’s commitment to citizen leadership,” Drake said. “His dedication to public service is profound, military service, one of our nation’s first astronauts, a long serving senator, and finally as a great friend to this university.”

Resolutions

Also on the agenda for Friday’s meeting were 18 resolutions brought forth to the board, all of which passed. Among the resolutions were:

Establishment of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs

Naming of internal space in the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute

Naming of internal spaces in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building

Administrative naming of buildings in North Campus Residential District

Approval to enter into a joint use agreement with LifeCare Alliance, an Ohio nonprofit agency

Approval to enter into professional services and construction contracts, including the $14.3 million 300 W. 10th Brain and Spine Institute and $4.8 million for elevator repairs

At the meeting, Drake also took the time to mention many different areas in which OSU has stood above its peers.

This year, OSU welcomed the most talented academic class in history and successfully recruited a new CEO of the Wexner Medical Center. Business Insider ranked OSU No. 11 on its recent list of “smartest public colleges in America,” and according to U.S. News and World Report’s “best online programs” list, OSU moved from No. 124 to No. 8 for its National Online Undergraduate Program, Drake said.

“Just thinking of the people, the programs, and the successes that we have been able to acknowledge this morning; things that make us all proud,” Drake said. “To be able to have any small part in these things and bask in the glory of these things is a great privilege.”