Presidential greetings

Photos by Jo McCulty President George W. Bush addresses the 40,000 graduates and guests gathered in Ohio Stadium on June 14 for commencement. Bush told graduates that "everyone needs some cause larger than his own profit."

President Brit Kirwan, left, signs off with a final "Go Bucks" during the ceremony. Kirwan had a farewell of his own -- he leaves June 30 to become chancellor of the University System of Maryland. See a tribute to Kirwan in this issue.

Bush urges graduates to serve their country

President George W. Bush urged graduates to serve their country as volunteers when he addressed the crowd at Ohio State's 360th commencement on June 14 in Ohio Stadium.

"America needs your energy and your leadership and your ambition, and through gathering momentum of single acts of decency, we will change America one soul at a time," Bush said.

The morning started out chilly for the thousands of graduates, parents and friends who turned up at unprecedented early hours to participate in spring commencement, held in a renovated Ohio Stadium after three years on the Oval. Lines began to form in the pre-dawn hours as graduates and guests alike waited their turn at security checkpoints before entering either French Field House or the stadium.

The line waiting to enter Ohio Stadium for commencement snakes along Cannon Drive.

By 9:30 a.m., though, the sun was shining in full June glory as black-robed graduates filed into the stadium, some to seats set up for the first time on the field, others to bleachers in the stands. The stadium's scoreboard screen provided live video of beaming faces beneath mortarboards.

Patriotism was the theme of the day. The University welcomed Bush -- whose only other commencement address this year was at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point -- as commencement speaker and awarded him an honorary doctor of public administration degree. Cadets from Ohio State's Reserve Officers' Training Corps unfurled and raised the American flag before School of Music graduate Kylene S. Thomas sang the national anthem.

President Brit Kirwan, who was officiating over his last Ohio State commencement, introduced Bush by praising him for his "passionate commitment to education" and the "magnificent way that he mobilized and led our nation in the aftermath of last September's terrorist attacks."

Bush was greeted at the lectern by enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation.

The serious message of his speech was lightened with moments of humor.

"I want to congratulate your parents. Many of you have written your last check. That must be nice. I'm still writing them," he said, referring to his experience as a father of two undergraduates.

Bush touched on the events of Sept. 11 and their impact on individuals and the nation.

"Your senior year was special in your life and the moments since last September have been extraordinary in our nation's history," he said. "We're called to defend liberty against tyranny and terror. We have answered that call. We will bring security to our people and justice to our enemies."

He encouraged the class of 2002 to "make a culture of service a permanent part of American life" and asked them to become involved in USA Freedom Corps, a new federal program designed to guide individuals to volunteer opportunities.

"Service in America is not a matter of coercion, it's a matter of conscience," he said.

Professor of Educational Policy and Leadership Sy Kleinman hoods somatic studies Ph.D. recipient Theresa Silow as another Ph.D. recipient, Darcy Lord, looks on.

Honorary degrees were given, in addition to Bush, to: Walter E. Massey, doctor of science; George M. Steinbrenner III, doctor of business administration; and Marta Tienda, doctor of social science. A Distinguished Service Award was presented to Richard M. Hill.

Commencement marked a farewell for Kirwan as well as for the graduates.

"I will always have a special bond with this graduating class because, in a sense, I graduate with you," said Kirwan, who is leaving the University at the end of June to become chancellor of the University System of Maryland.

"When I came to this wondrous University in the summer of 1998, I did not realize then that, like some of you, I was on the four-year plan. And like all of you, I have been touched deeply by the special character and spirit of The Ohio State University," Kirwan said. "Without question, it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as its president."

Ohio State awarded 6,206 degrees and certificates at the ceremony.

Among those who received diplomas was Melissa Baughman, who received a bachelor of science in biology. Like many of her classmates, Baughman said she appreciated having the U.S. president as her commencement speaker.

"He was very inspiring. It was special to have him," she said.

Baughman's mother, Mary Baughman, graduated from Ohio State in August 1974, when President Gerald Ford served as the commencement speaker.

"We're making it a family tradition," Mary Baughman said.

Law graduates sing "Carmen, Ohio" during commencement.

USAC changes hands

Robert Meier will serve as chair for 2002-03

Willa N. Young, chair of the University Staff Advisory Committee, was recognized by President Brit Kirwan at Ohio State's commencement ceremony on June 14 as one of many staff members who make "substantial contributions to the quality of this University and to the student experience."

During her tenure as USAC chair, Young was regularly called upon by Ohio State's administrators to provide a face, not to mention a voice, to the thousands of staff employed by the University. Young will pass the responsibility of serving as USAC chair on to Robert F. Meier, director of the University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, on July 1.

"It has been meaningful and exhilarating to serve you," Young told USAC members and friends at a recognition breakfast on June 6.

Robert Meier will serve as chair of USAC for 2002-03

During her tenure, Young served as a nonvoting staff representative to University Senate, including a term on the Senate's Fiscal Committee. She served on the University's Budget Advisory Committee, attended the Board of Trustees monthly meetings, participated in the Roads Scholars trip last fall, and is serving on the Presidential Search Committee.

"USAC faced many issues this past year, including budget cuts, compensation concerns, reductions in force and even severance," Young said. "We had a lot of opportunities this year to advise University leadership and serve as a voice for staff members."

The committee collected staff input through the USAC Action Line (688-USAC) and e-mail (usac@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu), as well as through listen sessions hosted by USAC members throughout campus, Young said. USAC members also handed out surveys at the committee's Hidden Benefits Fair in December and the town meeting with Kirwan in November. A staff pep rally planned for September had to be canceled due to the events of Sept. 11.

Edward J. Ray, executive vice president and provost, said his interactions with USAC members have reinforced his belief that staff play a pivotal role in the University's success. "It is very clear to me that the staff at this institution are world class and very much the glue that keeps this institution together," Ray said.

Ray praised USAC for the annual Staff Compensation and Benefits Committee report and the accompanying report card, which spells out the status of previous years' recommendations.

"The professionalism and care and precision with which you all make up your agenda helps this University become a better place," Ray said. "It is extraordinary to observe the collaboration and cooperation you all follow in your efforts to work with this administration. It is a model for all of us."

Meier is entering his second year as a USAC member and his 14th as an OSU employee. "I am looking forward to this year and to working with the University's leadership to help make the University a better place to live," he said. "We want to make sure the Academic Plan and Diversity Plan continue at full force."

He cited the recent release of findings from a staff work/life survey sponsored by USAC and Human Resources as a priority.

"My first priority is the continuation of the momentum of the work/life project that the University has already undertaken and that USAC has been a key player in for the last two to three years," Meier said. "We'll want to work with Human Resources and other University authorities to make sure that moves along expediently."

Meier said USAC also would continue to watch compensation and benefits issues closely as the University moves forward in its benchmarking efforts.

"We want to be a voice on the merit raise issue and make sure people are getting their evaluations done on an annual basis. It's tough to have merit-based raises for everybody if you don't have anything to base merit on," he said.

Maddy Weisz, consultant for organization and human resource development, will serve as vice chair, and Lesley A. Holland, manager for mail services, will serve as recorder/treasurer for 2002-03. New members appointed by Kirwan for 2002-03 are: Mark Cherry, Medical Center; Connie Goodman, University Registrar; Tonya Harper, COM/Surgery; Bryan Harris, Recreational Sports; Daniel Pohl, Undergraduate Admissions, FYE; Gerhard Raimann, Chemistry; Lori Scott, School of Allied Medical Professions; Cybele Smith, Michael E. Moritz College of Law; Timothy Steele, Wexner Center for the Arts; Lori Taylor, University Police; and Joyce Turner, College of Education.

For more information, visit www.osu.edu/org/usac/.