Alignment

In early February, the Alumni Association and the university came to an agreement that opens the door for a closer relationship between the two organizations.

The first question we heard from many alumni was: “You mean you weren’t already a part of the university?” The answer to that question is: Officially? No. In our organizational mission? Yes. The Alumni Association has existed for more than 130 years to serve the university and its accomplished alumni. The only real distinction is that as a separate non-profit entity, the Association has been a largely self-supporting organization funded primarily by member dues.

The next question we received was perhaps the most natural one: “What is going to change for me?” I want to re-emphasize that the commitments alumni made to us via membership dues will be honored. It would not be right for us to take away things that have been promised, and we have no intention of doing that.

This brings me to the third common question, “OK, so why make this change now?”

For starters, I can say that much thought and effort went into considering all aspects of the change. A joint university and Alumni Association task force led by our former board chair, Bill Lhota, and former board member, Tami Longaberger, spent many months studying best practices in alumni engagement at leading public and private universities. The task force adopted the best elements they saw in their final recommendations. It was important that we give careful consideration to make certain the change would result in a win for all parties involved.

Ultimately, we decided to make the move. Two important reasons factored in the decision.

One, there is nothing to be lost by strengthening our relationship in the university. Although it is more of an internal issue than one that is of concern to alumni, a more formalized reporting structure will undoubtedly enhance our ability to work closely and effectively with the university. Ohio State is a huge place, and although all university entities are working toward common goals, we feel that this aligned partnership will better define our role. It also more clearly defines our working relationship with university communications and university development, two entities with which we share many audiences and practices.

Two, this does offer the Alumni Association the potential for greater resources. This is not to say that the university will issue us a blank check and let us do with it what we want. A part of the more formalized agreement is a process by which we can develop important projects that will benefit alumni and Ohio State, then pursue the funding necessary to bring projects to reality.

So what kinds of things are we talking about? Many of them are things we have wanted to do in the past but did not have the resources necessary to realistically accomplish. We have long desired to do a more effective job of providing job and career networking services for our alumni, and we feel that our strengthened partnership will better position us to achieve that goal.

Some other initial discussions have centered on providing better lifelong learning opportunities and more cohesive volunteer recruiting and coordination efforts, among others.

There is no doubt that we will also work to enhance the efforts and breadth of our constituent groups around the country and here in central Ohio. The Alumni Association and the university share the view that alumni are this university’s most enduring asset. It is our goal to better leverage these vast talents for the benefit of you and your university.

I wish I had more specifics to offer now but at this early point in the process we have not delved deeply into how exactly we can achieve our shared goals. The establishment of this powerful partnership is just the first step in what will be a long journey that will strengthen Ohio State and benefit its alumni. I hope you are ready to join us on this exciting path, because it is going to be a great ride.

On Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, Dr. Robert Horton recieved the Ralph Davenport Mershon Award from the OSUAA. This award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to The Ohio State University. Click here for the newspaper article.

Congratulations Dr. Horton and thank you for your service and leadership that you continue to provide to the OSU Alumni Club of Greater Cincinnati!

Good Sportsmanship

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure to participate in the taping of a public-service announcement promoting good sportsmanship. It was really a fun project and I loved having the opportunity to carry a good message and spend some time with members of Ohio State's Sportsmanship Council, who participated in the PSA as well.

Good sportsmanship is something I think is essential to being a Buckeye fan. Period.

I've heard debates back and forth about how heated some of our rivalries are and how much animosity can flow between fanbases at times. Having heard all of that I've yet to hear a compelling argument that suggests treating other people poorly is ever warranted.

Personally, I have a big problem with people showing poor sportsmanship. I really don't like it when I hear our fans boo an opposing team when they come onto the field and it bothers me even more when I hear about altercations between different groups of fans.

Part of the reason it's always stuck in my craw is that as a player, as heated as our rivalry with Michigan could be, that game was never about hate. We wanted to beat them badly, no doubt about it. However, that desire never ever led me or my teammates to engage in the type of crass behavior that would reflect poorly on Ohio State.

When we played the Wolverines the goal was the play as hard as we possibly could. We had to leave it all out there because we knew they were going to do the same. But at the same time, we had to play fair. And when the game was over you walked across the field, shook their hands, and offered them the respect they deserved for testing your mettle on that day.

I saw Woody make that walk many times and I talked to him about that rivalry many other times. And although his dislike of Michigan is well-chronicled, don't ever let anyone tell you that he did not respect Michigan. He did, and if any player would have embarrassed him by showing poor sportsmanship on the field, I can promise you that player would be in for a week of practice he would not soon forget.

At the end of the day, these are games. We should never get to the point where a game leads us to behave in a way that would embarrass our families or our university. Being a good fan is something to me that is as much of a part of being a Buckeye as Skull Session or Script Ohio. It isn't something I expect out of some of our fans. I expect it out of all of them wherever they are.

I hope you will all carry this message with you throughout the course of the upcoming season. If you're watching in Ohio Stadium, at a game-watch party, or just with friends, show those people what Buckeyes are all about by exhibiting good sportsmanship in good times and bad.

The club’s largest yearly fundraiser for our endowed scholarship fund was held on June 13, 2009. The weather was wonderful with blue skies, a nice breeze and sun shining bright; providing the golfers a great backdrop for an enjoyable day on the course. After a great day on the course, the golfers were joined by 15 other Buckeye Enthusiasts for dinner, a chance to win great raffle prizes and an opportunity to hear John Peterson, Recruiting Coordinator, Tight Ends Coach for The Ohio State Football team, provide insight on our team and the upcoming football season. To top that all off we were able to deposit approximately $2,400 to the scholarship endowment. All of this spells success that would not be possible without sponsors donors, participants and volunteers, THANKS to all of you!

Mark your calendars for next year’s event, June 12, 2010.

16th Annual Greater Cincinnati Alumni Golf Classic Award Winners

1st Team overall - Team Knollman (Kirk Knollman, Ken Bosley, Jim Morgan, Dave Points ) Score 59 - 12 under par

1st Team for 70+ age group – (Ken Feinthel, Bob Watkins, Doug Smith & Jim Ashburn) Score 75 – 4 over par

2nd Team overall - Team Horton (Bob Horton, Jim Barton, Matt Pagnotto, Score 60 - 11 under par

Last Place Team Overall – (Ken Feinthel, Bob Watkins, Doug Smith & Jim Ashburn) Score 75 - Receives special prize for use on the 19th Hole!!

Hole in One on Hole # 7 – Jim Barton

Closest to the Pin Hole #5 – Rodney Stigell

Longest Drive Hole #4 – Jim Morgan

Closet to the Pin Hole #15 – Mark Nutley

Longest Putt Hole # 9 (Team prize) – Team Knollman ( Knollman, Bosley, Points & Morgan)

Tom Maybin won the Split the Pot Putting Contest on the Practice Green!

Betsy was awarded the 2009 Dr Horton Best Buckeye Award at last month’s Greater Cincinnati Alumni Classic. This award recognizes service to our local club.”