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Top 3 on 2, 11/19/09

November 18, 2009

Why did you choose to work at Ohio State?
I joined Ohio State as a student employee. I was actually offered a position with a local company and accepted it a few short hours before I was hired by Ohio State, so I worked both jobs for a while. It didn’t take long to determine that Ohio State would be my permanent home and I’ve been here ever since.

What do you like about your job?
The greatest part of my job is the opportunity it affords me to interface with some of the greatest minds in higher education. Every day is a learning experience, and I’ve been exposed to new ideas and experiences I would have never enjoyed anywhere else.

What would you improve at Ohio State?
If there is one thing I could change, it would be to introduce a higher level of cooperation and collaboration between colleges/business units. I believe President Gee’s vision of “One University” is spot on.

If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you be doing?
I would probably be a ship’s captain. Or, perhaps, flying commercial airliners. Since I don’t have a captain’s or pilot’s license, I suppose I’ll stay at Ohio State.

What advice would you give a new employee?
Communicate. The key to success at this university is communication. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; you may be surprised by the answers you receive.

What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I have too many favorite activities to list; let’s just say I keep a full schedule. The real headliners would have to be camping, boating, ATVing and tinkering with antique tractors. I’m also a huge fan of my pet rabbit.

Of what honor or recognition are you most proud?
Certificates, medals, plaques: They’re all nice things to hang on the walls, but a true honor is to, every day, have the opportunity to serve the mission of a great college and a great university.

Who is your hero?
My heroes would have to be Mom and Dad.  Without their hard work and dedication, I would have never had many of the opportunities I have experienced.

What are you going to do when you retire?
My hobbies could easily take the place of a full-time job if I would let them, so I’ll probably just pick up a few more.

If you were the university president for a day, what would you do?
I would merge vacation and sick leave for staff into one category called “paid time off.” I think employees should have the choice to use earned time as they see fit.

To nominate a staff member for an upcoming issue, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.

The Ohio Union’s grand ballroom, at 17,716 square feet, will hold up to 1,700 patrons once it’s opened to the public this spring. For now, the floors are prepped for staining and the massive chandeliers have been put in place.

Sure, top 10 lists are entirely subjective, but Time magazine thought enough of Ohio State President Gordon Gee and his push to reshape the university, and ultimately higher education, to name him one of the nation’s top college presidents and devote the main story to his vision. The featured issue hit newsstands Nov. 13 (also visit time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937938_1937934,00.html)

Of Gee, Time wrote, “A poll a while back found that he could easily be elected governor in a state that calls itself the Cradle of Presidents. Gee, however, has something different in mind. As president of the Ohio State University and one of the most experienced university executives in the US, he is campaigning for a revolution in higher education at a time when the field is more important, and perhaps more troubled, than ever before.” Time touched on Gee’s prolific political efforts to keep higher education a state priority, his hectic scheduling to fit as much as he can into a single day and willingness to buck the status quo.

Also on the list were the presidents of New York University, the University of Michigan, Arizona State University, Tulane University, Middlebury College, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Miami Dade College, the University of Texas-Brownsville and the University of California-Oakland.

Top 3 on 2, 11/05/09

November 4, 2009

Why did you choose to work at Ohio State?
For many years, through professional colleagues, I followed the progress and direction of Ohio State, and I loved the idea of putting my talents to work for a university that was making such tremendous strides. This is such a different — and more exciting — university than it was 30 years ago when I first started my career.

What do you like about your job?
Everything … except the paperwork. The challenge, the variety, the people — but mostly the opportunity to represent this great university and work with students and families who also are excited about being Buckeyes.

What would you improve at Ohio State?
Free parking, football tickets for everyone and a requirement that all faculty/staff need to wear “Jim Tressel sweater vests” on Fridays.

If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you be doing?
I would like to be a corporate motivational speaker for Disney, speaking about dreams, vision, joy, humor and success.

What is your favorite activity outside of work?
Physical exercise like running, fastpitch softball, racquetball, swimming, tennis — anything that gets me outside in the sun and allows me to sweat the toxins and stress out of my head and body.

What advice would you give a new employee?
Make sure you ask for help when you need it. There is a lot to know here, and a lot of things change, so it’s a job just to keep up. But there are lots of great people here who want to help you succeed.

Of what honor or recognition are you most proud?
When I was a college student, I was elected to a three-year term on the Otterbein College Board of Trustees, which allowed me to meet some wonderful community leaders and see a wide perspective of running a college and positively impacting students. It gave me good insight for when I started my career in admissions and higher education administration.

Who is your hero?
I can’t say I have any one hero, but I appreciate and respect people who selflessly put others’ needs before their own and people who stand up for what they know is right.

What are you going to do when you retire?
That’s WAY too far down the road for me to answer yet, but I’d like to volunteer in the schools and help people learn to read. I’d also spend a lot more time with my wife and son (he’s 9 years old now).

If you were the university president for a day, what would you do?
Why, I’d put on my best bowtie, meet and shake hands with a thousand people and tell everybody what a wonderful and important place Ohio State is. (I’d schedule the budget meetings and faculty meetings and tough stuff for the next day when the real president was back in his office.)

To nominate a staff member for an upcoming issue, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.

Michael Caligiuri, who leads The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, is now president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI).

Previously, Caligiuri served a two-year term as vice president and president-elect for the AACI, which comprises 95 leading cancer research centers in the United States. He assumed his new two-year term during the association’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, in October. For 50 years, the association has been dedicated to promoting the nation’s leading research institutions’ efforts to eradicate cancer through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary program of cancer research, treatment, patient care, prevention, education and community outreach.

“One of my main initiatives is an advocacy platform called Project Cancer Education that aims to educate legislative and opinion leaders on important matters regarding cancer care, including the need for additional funding for cancer research and access to cancer clinical trials,” said Caligiuri, who is a well-respected figure in the fields of immunology, leukemia and lymphoma research.

Top 3 on 2, 10/22/09

October 21, 2009

Why did you choose to work at Ohio State?
I applied for an accountant position and got the offer within two weeks of my job search.

What do you like about your job?
The diversity of various accounting responsibilities that I perform daily. I like the people I work with every day and the people I come in contact with, either from within the Research Foundation or across the campus.

What would you improve at Ohio State?
To encourage everyone to be more conscious about saving our environment through cutting waste and recycling more. If each one of us participates in this noble cause, imagine the impact it would have on the whole environment. I always try to be a good example around my family and friends by going the extra yards to recycle whenever possible.

If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you be doing?
Probably I would do the same things I am doing now. I like to work with details and numbers. I have been working in either financial or tax accounting since 1981.

What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I practice tai-chi, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, Sudoku and reading. Behind my back, my friends say: “If there is nobody to do any activity with you, ask Tina, she would sign up for that class and never miss a session.” I would do anything to keep my aging body parts moving.

What advice would you give a new employee?
Learn to do the right things; find a good mentor to help you grow; stay positive and be enthusiastic about everything you do, including work and working out.

Of what honor or recognition are you most proud?
I was on the cover of Columbus Monthly magazine in February 1993, 10 months after my husband and I opened the Saigon Palace restaurant in downtown Columbus. We worked together there for 11 years, four months and nine days. When we decided to get back to our professions, the Columbus City Council honored us with a resolution for contributing excellent services to the people of Columbus.

Who is your hero?
My mother. She was very wise and kind-hearted. She taught me to be humble, honest and diligent. I am still trying hard to be like her.

What are you going to do when you retire?
Continue to maintain all of my favorite activities for as long as possible.

If you were the university president for a day, what would you do?
I would definitely come to 1960 Kenny Road to visit the OSURF building since no president has been here for at least five years. I would spend the day talking to all my wonderful colleagues and pat them on their backs for their quiet dedication to support the OSU research community. I am very proud to be a member of this wonderful organization.

To nominate a staff member for an upcoming issue, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.

President Gordon Gee thanks retirees Pearlie Glover, left, for 38 years of service (primary care, College of Dentistry) and Lewis Claman, right, for 35 years of service (Division of Periodontology, College of Dentistry) at the faculty and staff retirement dinner Oct. 8 at the Fawcett Center.

Columbus Landmarks Foundation presented its 2009 James B. Recchie Design Award to Ohio State’s Thompson Library renovation and expansion, during a ceremony held Oct. 9. The annual award recognizes quality urban design in central Ohio.

The library project, designed by Acock Associates Architects, Gund Partnership and MSI Design, was selected over four other finalists. Jurists selected the project for the impact it will have on thousands of people every year and applauded the skillful blending of the old and new, preserving the historic character while creating a dynamic 21st century library.

The library’s attention to detail also drew high praise. The “exquisite detailing” was singled out during the award presentation, including the library’s Ohio white oak shelving and paneling, the practical but beautiful metal mesh in the elevators and the dramatic cantilevered staircase on the west side. Jurists also noted the importance of reinforcing the axis of the Oval through the building to the west side of Neil Avenue putting the library physically and symbolically at the very center of the university; and they praised the way it opened up the space and made a complicated project look simple.