USAC leaders reflect on success, look ahead to next year.

Finding an identity for staff at a university can be tricky, says Jeri Kozobarich, who will complete her term as chair of the University Staff Advisory Committee at the end of this month.

"In an academic institution, staff are in a position that is neither fish nor fowl, neither student nor faculty," said Kozobarich, director of development for the College of Education. "Thus, the role played by staff is often ignored as decisions are made that affect staff and the entire University."

Kozobarich will be passing on her leadership responsibilities as chair to Jamie Mathews-Mead, director of MBA career programming in the Fisher College of Business. Other recently elected USAC officers are Scott Boden, program coordinator for residence life, as vice chair, and Jeanne McGuire, health physicist for the radiation safety section of Environmental Health and Safety, as recorder/treasurer.

Mathews-Mead

USAC was formed in 1986 by President Edward Jennings with the mission of facilitating communication on the behalf of and among University staff. The committee consists of 30 members appointed by the president to serve three-year terms, with 10 new members appointed each year.

Membership is open to classified civil service, unclassified administrative, and senior administrative and professional staff with a minimum of two years of Ohio State service.

Looking back at 1998-99, Kozobarich identified two key issues she is pleased USAC addressed during her tenure. "USAC has kept its eye on increased participation by staff in University governance and improved communication between staff and the University administration," she said.

She pointed out that USAC members now serve on several University Senate committees, including Senate Steering, Athletic Council, Legislative Affairs, Diversity, and Transportation and Parking.

"USAC members also sit on a number of other University-wide committees, such as the President's Council on Outreach and Engagement," Kozobarich said.

She sees USAC as a tool that can help staff find their place at the University. "Each year that USAC has been in existence, since 1986, it has made incremental progress in the inclusion of staff in the life of the University," she said. "The accomplishments USAC has made over the years make ignoring staff impossible."

Mathews-Mead, who will be serving her second year on USAC, said she wants to keep the ball rolling.

"In terms of governance, I want to see us continue to do everything we can so staff members are present when important decisions are made at the University," she said. "I think we've made steps in the right direction by having staff sit on committees, and I'd like to enhance those efforts where it's appropriate."

Communicating those efforts to staff also is a priority for Mathews-Mead. "I want to ensure that our communication with staff is strong so they are aware of what projects USAC is working on and how they can become more involved."

Each year, USAC's Staff Compensation and Benefits Committee makes recommendations to the president. USAC also hosts an annual hidden benefits fair, a pep rally, and several town meetings and outreach sessions to discuss staff issues. It sponsors the Staff President for a Day events several times a year.

New USAC members appointed by President Kirwan for three-year terms are: Sherif Barsoum, coordinator for international education; Cecelia McFadden, research associate 2 for the College of Education's School of Teaching and Learning; Mary Kay Miller, program coordinator for the College of Medicine; Michelle Milligan, office associate for the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Mathieu Moreau, admissions coordinator for the OSU-Marion campus; Ralph Orr, inventory specialist for admissions/credentials; Barbara Pyle, dean's assistant for the College of Optometry; Stephanie Rankin, housing manager for Housing, Food Services and Event Centers; Mary Ann Short, performance consultant for Training and Organizational Development; and Willa Young, director of Student Gender and Sexuality Services.

Kevin Fitzsimons, manager of photo services for University Communications, was appointed to a two-year term. Judy Vorhola, administrative associate 2 for University Development, was appointed to a one-year term.

Rogers named vice provost for academic administration

Law professor and former College of Law Associate Dean Nancy Hardin Rogers has been nominated to the position of vice provost for academic administration in the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) at Ohio State. The appointment takes effect July 1, pending Board of Trustees approval at its July meeting.

Rogers will be the primary liaison between the OAA and the vice presidents for research, for agricultural administration and for health sciences, as well as the director of University Libraries. Other duties include oversight of international programs.

The appointment completes the restructuring of the Office of Academic Affairs that began last fall.

"Nancy is a renowned leader in her field, and ably carried administrative duties in the College of Law for five years," said Edward J. Ray, executive vice president and provost. "She is highly respected across campus and has the enthusiastic support of those who will be working with her in her new position."

Rogers is the Joseph S. Platt-Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur Professor of Law, and has been instrumental in shaping the College of Law's nationally renowned alternative dispute resolution program; she has been faculty coordinator for the program since 1998.

She served as the college's associate dean for academic affairs from 1992-1997, and now teaches mediation issues, dispute systems design, advanced studies in dispute resolution, and facilitation. Rogers will retain her faculty appointment in the College of Law.

Rogers first taught at Ohio State in 1975 as a visiting assistant professor, and subsequently served first as an assistant and then as an adjunct professor on a part-time basis during her children's pre-school years. She re-joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the fall of 1983. The College of Law Alumni Association named her the 1996 Outstanding Professor in the college.

A former clerk for Judge Thomas D. Lambros of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Rogers is the co-author of Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, Mediation, and Other Processes. She also co-authored two books on mediation and the law.

Rogers earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and her Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School.

Three to receive honorary doctorates at commencement

Shumate, Crane honored with Distinguished Service Awards

An eclectic group that includes a Columbus community leader, a physicist, the founder of the Longaberger Co., an attorney and an astronaut will receive special honors during Ohio State's spring quarter commencement June 11 on the Oval. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. About 4,700 students will receive degrees.

Honorary doctorates will be presented to physicist Elias Burstein; scientist, optometrist and astronaut Lawrence J. DeLucas; and posthumously to businessman David W. Longaberger.

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to businesswoman Loann Crane and attorney Alex Shumate.

Dumisa Ntsebeza, a high-ranking member of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), will deliver the commencement address. Ntsebeza, a human rights lawyer, also headed the commision's Investigative Unit.

Elias Burstein, Doctor of Science

One of the world's leading solid state physicists, Elias Burstein has been a pioneer in the field of semiconductors.

He retired in 1988 from the University of Pennsylvania. Over a distinguished career that spanned more than half a century, Burstein has investigated the optical properties of metals, semiconductors and insulators, making seminal contributions to the field of condensed matter physics.

From 1945 to 1958, he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory where, among other research projects, he discovered and explained an optical phenomenon, now known as the "Burstein Shift."

Lawrence J. DeLucas, Doctor of Science

As a scientist, optometrist and astronaut, Lawrence J. DeLucas has made contributions to the fields of vision science, space science, crystallography and medicine.

Currently professor of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), DeLucas has the distinction of being the first optometrist in space, having participated in the 1992 NASA Space Shuttle Microgravity Laboratory Mission as a payload specialist.

During the 1980s, DeLucas and his research team at UAB pioneered the development of protein crystallography under weightless conditions, and he was selected by NASA to develop a new technique for growing protein crystals in space. He has directed experiments on more than 40 space shuttle missions, including one on John Glenn's recent flight.

David W. Longaberger, Doctor of Business Administration

Dave Longaberger, founder and chairman of the Longaberger Co., passed away in March after a battle with cancer. The company he founded in 1973 with five weavers is today the largest manufacturer of handmade baskets in the United States. The company employs more than 7,000 and is represented by 47,000 independent sales associates.

Longaberger and his daughters, Tami and Rachel, established the Longaberger Foundation to provide funding for projects and programs designed to strengthen communities, families and individuals.

The foundation's philanthropic efforts at Ohio State include the Dave Longaberger Endowed Chair in Urology, the Longaberger Alumni House, the Longaberger Medical Research Fund, the Longaberger Scholarship Fund, and support for facility improvements at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center.

Alex Shumate, Distinguished Service Award

Alex Shumate is managing partner of the Columbus office of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. Prior to joining the firm in 1988, he served as chief counsel and deputy chief of staff to the governor of Ohio from 1985 to 1988 and as assistant Ohio attorney general from 1975 to 1983.

A Board of Trustees member from 1989 to 1998, he served as board chairman during the 1997-98 fiscal year. He served on the presidential search committees that recruited E. Gordon Gee and William E. Kirwan. He played a pivotal role in Kirwan's decision to accept the presidency, and, as board chair, he guided the University through a period of transition.

His service to Ohio State has included directorships on the University's Foundation Board and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute board.

Loann Crane, Distinguished Service Award

Loann Crane is a director of Crane Plastics Co., a partner in the Winning Images arts consulting firm and president of Fairwood Investment Co.

Crane is involved in a range of University-related projects. A member of The Ohio State University Foundation Board since 1990, she currently serves as co-chair of the Columbus area National Major Gift Committee for the University's Affirm Thy Friendship campaign. As a Humanities Development Council member since 1990, Crane has established the Crane Fund for Hispanic Studies to support study-abroad programs. In 1996, she received one of the University's first John B. Gerlach Outstanding Volunteer awards.