"We'll be engaged in legislation that impacts Ohio State specifically, and we'll work closely with government relations representatives from Ohio's other public institutions to present a united strategy and singular voice working for the good of the state and for higher education in general." -- Ellyn Perrone

Government Relations provides information, context to legislators

By JONI BENTZ SEAL, onCAMPUS staff

After nearly five months on the job, pictures remain unhung in Ellyn Perrone's office. The new vice president for government relations came in on a whirlwind of a crashing state budget and threats to Ohio State's funding. The dust is just now beginning to settle.

Reflecting back to that first week, Perrone recalls starting on a Tuesday -- April Fool's day, no less -- and by Friday, was pulling a late night session with the chair of the General Assembly's subcommittee of higher education, attempting to mitigate the cuts to Ohio State's Ph.D. programs and non-resident and international graduate student funding.

"The critical role of government relations is to provide the information and put the issues in context so that informed decisions are made," she said. "We strive to ensure that decision-makers have received information from the people who are the experts to help them make informed decisions, based on good information and supported by fact."

In this case, the General Assembly was concerned that Ohio was funding the "brain drain" -- non-resident and international students who take their knowledge to other states upon graduation instead of contributing to Ohio's economy. Being data driven, Perrone collected some statistics to show that Ohio also was the beneficiary of the same phenomenon.

"From the data we compiled from 75 percent of our faculty, 88 percent of those earned terminal degrees outside of Ohio, which I explained was typical of the culture of higher education, particularly of research universities," Perrone said. "The General Assembly then understood that it's an issue of give and take."

Perrone's interaction with the General Assembly proved vital. At the beginning of the budget process, funding for state share of instruction (SSI) for Ohio State was severely reduced. The final budget allocated the higher education budget cuts across the board to all universities, thus protecting, to some degree, the two earlier targeted areas -- doctoral programs and non-resident and international graduate student funding. As a result, Ohio State's SSI funding will remain at the FY 2003 level for the next biennium.

With state budget matters now subsided, Perrone can focus on public policy when the Legislature reconvenes in mid-September.

"We'll be engaged in legislation that impacts Ohio State specifically," Perrone said, "and we'll work closely with government relations representatives from Ohio's other public institutions to present a united strategy and singular voice working for the good of the state and for higher education in general."

Perrone said that, as in any career, relationships like these are critical to success. "I'm fortunate to have a good, talented staff that has already established solid relationships with key officials, both in the state and on the federal level," she said. "That has made my transition to Ohio State much easier."

One of the things she likes about the job is that no day is typical. She spends a majority of her time off campus, and her schedule often gets completely rearranged when priorities come up that demand attention. A phone call from a senator, or even from Washington -- either specific to Ohio State or to higher education in general -- can require her to change directions, and sometimes invest in a marathon workday.

"You have to be there when they're working in areas that affect your institution, and you need to partner with them," she said. "Then you return to what you were doing before."

When on campus, she is often called to meet with various groups, or attend functions or presentations that serve to brief her on items for which the university may seek federal appropriations. She conducts most of her correspondence after hours, and is trying to improve her knowledge of the workings of the university, which had to take a backseat in the throes of the budget crisis.

Perrone said government affairs professionals thrive on these constant challenges, perform well under pressure, and enjoy the adrenaline rush when the crisis is thick, "because you have to go the distance," she said. "It's a profession you either love or hate, and a job that has highs or lows in a cycle of tough regulation times."

And it's often not a career someone intentionally pursues. After spending more than 10 years as a social worker in child abuse/neglect and adoptions in her home state of Texas, Perrone earned her master's degree in public administration, specializing in human resources management and strategy, and intended to join the corporate world until the Texas A&M system recruited her. She agreed to spend one year there to establish the state affairs office; one year turned into 15.

When Ohio State came calling, Perrone was attracted to the challenge and opportunity that the new presidency offered. "I didn't know Karen Holbrook," she said. "But after spending an hour and a half on the phone with her, and throughout the interviewing process, I became excited about the prospect of being part of a leadership team that sets a vision and an agenda, and puts in place a plan, the people and the resources to make that vision become a reality.

"President Holbrook both understands and has a commitment to government relations, and she wants to build a true government relations program, not just a function," Perrone said. "I saw this as a second opportunity to build a program, and together, we've set goals for Ohio State."

Those goals include: increasing the federal dollars coming into Ohio State, through peer-review research and through the congressional appropriations process; increasing the presence of Ohio State and promoting its capabilities and the expertise of its faculty as a resource for the state and the nation; getting more faculty testifying before congressional and state committees; and securing more faculty, staff and administrator appointments to national boards or commissions.

"Our people need to be at the table with federal agencies as pubic policy is being set, and more importantly, as agencies like the NSF and the NIH set their research agendas and funding," Perrone said. "We want to have more of our people sitting on those boards or commissions helping to shape their decisions. But it's a complicated process, and will take time to develop."

Perrone said she is impressed with the wonderful things happening at Ohio State, and wants to get the word out about the great stories and the extraordinary research that is benefiting Ohio citizens.

"This is an exciting time to be a part of this university," Perrone said. "Ohio State is far better than the world knows it is, and part of the efforts of this office is to share the great strengths, talents and discoveries of our faculty and students."

News briefs

Recent news items in an abbreviated format.

Committee named for College of Humanities dean

Barbara Snyder, interim executive vice president and provost, has appointed Joan Herbers, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, to serve as chair of a search committee for the dean of the College of Humanities.

Other members appointed to the committee include: Daniel Farrell, professor, Department of Philosophy; Ivonne Garcia, graduate student, Department of English; J. Ronald Green, professor, Department of History of Art; Barbara Hanawalt, King George III Professor, Department of History; David Horn, associate professor and chair, Department of Comparative Studies; Jerry Ladman, associate provost for international affairs and professor, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; Valerie Lee, professor and chair, Department of English; Soma Mandal, undergraduate student, Department of Women's Studies; Isaac Mowoe, associate professor, Department of African-American and African Studies; Karen Sobul, fiscal/grant specialist, Foreign Language Center; and Alexander Stephan, professor, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures and Ohio Eminent Scholar, Mershon Center for the Study of International Security and Public Policy.

Two associate executive deans appointed

Michael Hogan, executive dean of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, has appointed two new associate executive deans. Edward Adelson, professor of music and associate dean of the arts, will serve as associate executive dean for curriculum and instruction. Adelson brings experience to the post, having served a year in a similar capacity prior to the establishment of the arts and sciences federation on July 1. Robert Perry, associate dean of mathematical and physical sciences, will serve the federation as associate executive dean for research and faculty affairs. Perry also will have a 50 percent appointment in the Office of Research, where he is interim senior associate vice president.

Also, Gloria Eyerly has been appointed to work on honors and scholars programs in the arts and sciences; Melinda Nelson will oversee special projects in the Office of the Executive Dean; and Phyllis Newman will be chief financial officer for the arts and sciences. The Office of the Executive Dean will share space and resources with the College of Humanities on the first floor of University Hall.

Ohio State doctors receive teaching awards

A dozen physicians associated with the College of Medicine and Public Health recently received awards for sharing time and expertise with medical students. Distinguished Educator awards are given to faculty and preceptors who have shown extraordinary commitment to teaching and the promotion of outstanding patient care. Recipients are: Garth Essig, ob/gyn; Charles Johnson, pediatrics; John Weigand, family practice; Michelle Morris, family practice; Bill Gegas, family practice; Camille Sabella, pediatrics; and William Long, pediatrics. Lifetime Achievement awards are given to physicians who have dedicated their professional lives and services to educating medical students. Winners are: Donald Traphagen, general surgery; John Stevens, internal medicine; Ian Baird, internal medicine; and David Dawdy, pediatrics. The Ambulatory Care Clerkship Preceptor of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding performance in the teaching of third-year medical students in a community setting, was given to Sarah Sams, a family practice physician.

Medical Center recognized as technology leader

The University Medical Center has again been named one of the nation's top health care networks in the country for its use of wireless and Internet technology to ensure patient safety, superior customer service and more efficient delivery of medical services. This is the fourth year Ohio State has been recognized on the "Most Wired" list, which is compiled by Hospitals & Health Networks, the journal of the American Hospital Association. The list of the 100 "Most Wired" hospitals and health systems was in the journal's July issue.

Reed wins international veterinary award

Stephen Reed has won an award for applied research from Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. for his contributions to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of equine neurological disease. Reed is professor and head of equine medicine and surgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine and is internationally renowned as an equine neurologist. His opinions on diagnosis and treatment options are solicited daily by veterinarians from all over the world. Reed has delivered numerous presentations and demonstrations at local, state, national and international meetings.

Reed will receive his award at the 8th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Oct. 15-17. Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. is the worldwide animal health business of Schering-Plough Corp. of Kenilworth, N.J., a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and health care products worldwide.

Weavers recognized as an emerging scholar

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation presented Linda Weavers, assistant professor of engineering, its 2003 Achievement Award for Emerging Scholars during the AAUW National Convention in Providence, R. I. The award, presented annually, recognizes the early professional achievement of an untenured woman scholar who has a record of exceptional accomplishments and shows promise of future distinction. The awardee is given an honorarium of $5,000.

Weavers researches the basic science and applications of sonochemistry (the study of reactions in or near collapsing bubbles) and advanced oxidation processes to the purification of drinking water, waste water and hazardous wastes. Her research provides the basis for effective and efficient modeling of complex environmental processes and water treatment technologies.

Stanley Lemeshow has been named dean for the School of Public Health.   Courtesy of the School of Public Health

New dean named for Public Health

Stanley Lemeshow has been named dean for the School of Public Health, effective Aug. 9 through June 30, 2008. President Karen Holbrook will ask the university's Board of Trustees to approve the appointment at its Sept. 5 meeting.

Lemeshow has served as a professor of epidemiology and biometry in the School of Public Health and in the Department of Statistics at Ohio State for the past four years. He also has served concurrently as director of the university's Center for Biostatistics. Prior to that, he was professor of public health, chair of biostatics and epidemiology, and director of the biopharmaceutic research unit at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

"I am delighted that we have someone of the caliber of Dr. Lemeshow already at Ohio State who was able and willing to serve a greater leadership role within the School of Public Health," Holbrook said. "Dr. Lemeshow has exhibited an extraordinary record of research and scholarship that speaks to the high quality of science that is conducted by our faculty in public health, and he has a clear vision toward the development of a strong, nationally recognized school."

Lemeshow's research focuses on regression modeling, experimental design and sampling methods, and he has written seven books and 113 articles in refereed journals. He also is associate editor of The Stata Journal and The Journal of Biopharmaceutical Sciences. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, where his major was biostatistics and his minor was epidemiology.

The Office of Academic Affairs conducted a national search, led by Steve Wilson, director of the School of Allied Health, to seek applications for the dean position. "The committee identified a number of outstanding candidates during its search process," said Barbara Snyder, interim executive vice president and provost, "but his impressive credentials convinced both the president and me that Dr. Lemeshow is well-suited to lead the school as it furthers its academic mission. We were especially pleased to have found our top candidate from among our own ranks."

Lemeshow led an annual short course on regression and categorical methods for the New England Epidemiology Institute for 17 years, and he has taught short statistics courses in numerous European and American cities. Lemeshow also holds membership in a variety of scholarly societies and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.

"I am very excited about assuming the deanship of the School of Public Health. I appreciate the enormous impact an accredited School of Public Health can have on local, national and international levels. We are fortunate to be part of an outstanding university offering many strong research programs with which our faculty and professional staff will continue to collaborate. As the only accredited School of Public Health in the state of Ohio, we will also have many opportunities to work with our state and local health departments. I am committed to enhancing our excellent reputation, to recruiting dynamic faculty, to attracting top-tier students, to continue building strong academic programs and to advancing the goals of the Academic Plan. Working with my colleagues, I hope to make Ohio State's School of Public Health one of the top schools in the nation," Lemeshow said.

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