Annual Report Fiscal Year 2024

Philanthropy in Service to Education

Ohio University is a beacon of learning, growth, and transformation. With over 29,000 students across our residential campuses, regional campuses, and online programs, and a proud network of more than 290,000 alumni worldwide, our reach is vast and impactful. This enduring legacy of excellence and innovation is fueled by the unwavering generosity of our alumni and friends, whose investments in The Ohio University Foundation drive our mission forward. 

In fiscal year 2024, we celebrate our donors’ incredible generosity, which reached record heights with contributions totaling $59,933,588.

These gifts empower our students to excel in our over 250 academic programs, engage in more than 550 student organizations, compete in 16 NCAA Division I teams, and explore global opportunities across six continents. Each donation not only supports individual journeys, but also strengthens the collective Bobcat spirit, ensuring that we continue to inspire and shape the leaders of tomorrow.

This year’s annual report not only celebrates the financial milestones achieved, but also shines a light on the profound impact of our donors. Through your investments, we continue to enhance academic programs, foster student success, and create opportunities that resonate across our community. The stories and achievements highlighted in this report are a testament to the transformative power of philanthropy and the lasting legacy you help build at Ohio University.

Bobcat Community Shatters Records for Student Support on OHIO Giving Day

In a display of generosity that eclipsed previous records, Bobcats from all over the nation gave during OHIO’s fifth annual Giving Day on April 9, 2024 to set new benchmarks for the number of donors and dollars contributed on a single day.

More than 3,070 donors from 49 states gave over $1.4 million on Giving Day to provide access, experience, and impact for today’s OHIO students, surpassing last year’s then-record of 2,672 donors and $1.1 million dollars. Giving Day is a 24-hour, once-a-year event to inspire support for the university and its students.

Students joined in a special event to celebrate Giving Day, replete with refreshments, giveaways, and photo ops with squirrel mascots, and posted to their social accounts to help boost visibility for the day.

Alumni, staff, student, and faculty volunteers also contributed gifts of their time as Giving Day advocates. Advocates brought energy and excitement to the day through social media posts and outreach—175 advocates generated 686 gifts on Giving Day, totaling $147,461. And the popular Giving Day option to symbolically name a College Green squirrel for gift of $18.04 or more resulted in 1,850 squirrels named.

The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees committed $48,382 as a match for their annual Power Hour, doubling donors’ contributions from noon-1 p.m. on Giving Day.

President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and Randy Gonzalez offered a Surprise Presidential Power Hour at 7 p.m., matching $500 of all gifts up to $10,000 to any fund  on the Giving Day website. They also encouraged  donors to make a gift to support the Marching 110 with the offer of an invitation to the President’s Tailgate for OHIO’s football home opener this fall.

“I want to thank our leadership for setting the bar yesterday with these important match gifts. We also had dozens of supporters who made challenge gifts to drive donations to their fund of choice, and their commitment was essential to our Giving Day success,” said Lyn Redington, Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation. “Thank you to each of these important partners.”

Each college on the Athens campus as well as all five of OHIO’s regional campuses benefited from Giving Day donations. Funds from each area were chosen to highlight OHIO’s focus on delivering a world-class education and engaging in the communities it serves. 

The Judy Davis Nursing Scholarship Serves as a Beacon of Hope and Support for Aspiring Nurses at Ohio University Zanesville

In a significant stride towards supporting the aspirations of future healthcare professionals, the Judy Davis Nursing Scholarship emerges as a shining example of commitment and generosity within the Ohio University Zanesville community. Spearheaded by Judy Davis, a distinguished senior faculty member, this scholarship not only highlights the program's excellence but also the crucial role its graduates play in the local healthcare landscape.

The inception of the Judy Davis Nursing Scholarship is a testament to the dedication of those at the helm of nurturing the next generation of nursing professionals. Awarded to four deserving students, this initiative is based on passionate essays that echo the candidates' dedication to the nursing field. It represents a broader community's effort to support the educational and professional aspirations of those poised to make a significant impact on healthcare.

The scholarship's announcement was marked by a campus reception that not only celebrated the initiative but also reinforced the importance of quality nursing education. This sentiment is strongly supported by the faculty and development directors at Ohio University Zanesville, who echo the program's pivotal role in preparing competent and compassionate healthcare providers.

Davis, reflecting on her motivation behind the scholarship, shared, "As a senior member of the nursing faculty at Ohio University Zanesville, I firmly believe in the value of our program to produce quality professional nurses. Considering that 70 percent of the nurses at Genesis Hospital are OU graduates, many of whom have cared for my family, it is a real pleasure for me to provide four scholarships each year to aspiring students most likely to succeed."

Dr. Hannah Nissen, commenting on Davis and her contributions, stated, "Judy has been a valued member of the Nursing team on the Zanesville campus for many years. She is fully committed to the nursing profession and the education of future generations of nursing professionals. The scholarship she has established supports the educational needs of those interested in a nursing career, most of whom will be providing for the healthcare needs of those in this region. Our community benefits greatly from Judy’s generosity."

The inaugural recipients of the Judy Davis Nursing Scholarship are Reagan Anderson, Kathrin Dunlap, Kylie Kennedy and Brooklyn Stanley. These current nursing students were chosen based on their passionate essays and their enrollment in the nursing program, demonstrating their commitment to pursuing a career in nursing.

Jay Lockard, an associate director of development, also expressed his appreciation, saying, "I am truly appreciative of the positive impact individuals like Judy want to make in our communities. Her scholarship has established more possibilities for local students to pursue a degree in nursing here at Ohio University Zanesville. Judy has had such a tremendous impact on nursing education in our region, and it is wonderful to see that her legacy will continue in support of our students and the profession she loves."

This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also serves as a source of inspiration for students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams in the nursing field. It lays a foundation of support and excellence in nursing education, ensuring that the community and healthcare systems continue to benefit from dedicated and well-prepared professionals. 

Transformational Gift to Marching 110 Band Ensures Unparalleled Practice Facility

From prestigious events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade to countless performances on football fields across the nation and world, the Ohio University Marching 110 has been renowned for its unforgettable performances, unique marching style and unparalleled precision for more than a century.

And soon, for the first time in its storied 100-year history, the “Most Exciting Band in the Land” will have a new, state-of-the-art practice facility to call home thanks to support from President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and a transformational $1 million gift from Marching 110 alumni Shawn Hurley and Tracey (Hanna) Hurley. The project will be presented to the Ohio University Board of Trustees for their review and consideration at an upcoming meeting.

“The Marching 110 is one of Ohio University’s most valued traditions of excellence, and for decades they have been without dedicated space on campus to rehearse,” President Gonzalez said. “It is a priority for me to build a permanent home for the Marching 110, and, thanks to the Hurleys, we will be able to move this project forward. We will name the new practice field in their honor.”

The new Marching 110 Band Complex will feature "Hurley Field." It promises to be the pinnacle of its kind within the Mid-American Conference, boasting state-of-the-art features tailored specifically to the needs of the Marching 110. Among its highlights will be a turf installation to support rehearsals in all weather conditions, a director’s tower for optimal viewing of formations, restroom facilities to accommodate both band members and visitors to the nearby soccer field and additional amenities aimed at enhancing the band's practice experience.

WOUB Celebrates Philanthropy With Two New Plaques On The WOUB Major Donor Wall

Two plaques were added to the WOUB Major Donor Wall in December 2023 in honor of the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation WOUB Internship Fund (in Memory of Jan and Olivia Sole) and the Larry Katz WOUB Sports Student Leadership and Production Fund. There are now four plaques on the wall located on the third floor of the Radio and Television Building outside the WOUB newsroom.

The King Family WOUB Internship Fund helps support salaries for student interns to stay on campus over the summers to participate full-time in news gathering and production. The fund was established in memory of Jan Sole (1956-2007) and her late daughter, Olivia Gray Sole (1989-2004). Jan Sole graduated from OHIO’s Journalism school in 1979 and worked at WOUB as a radio producer and host of the station’s classical music program for 25 years.

Former WOUB Student Larry Katz ’77 established the Katz WOUB Sports Fund to provide general support for sports productions and content produced by students working at WOUB. It benefits students working on productions like Gridiron Glory, Hardwood Heroes, The Bobcat Sports Showcase, Ace Nation, SportsBeat, NewsWatch and others. The fund helps pay student wages and/or supporting costs including student travel to cover sporting events.

The King Family and Katz plaques are located next to plaques honoring Doug Drew ’78 and Ed Williams. Drew was the first to make a six-figure donation which exclusively supports students at WOUB. Drew’s donation established the Doug Drew WOUB Student Professional Development Fund which is used to provide general support for professional development experiences for students involved with WOUB to prepare them for careers in media. Williams, a former WOUB engineer, increased support for his endowed fund. The Edmund A. Williams Technology Oriented Leadership Award provides $2,000 to at least one WOUB student annually. WOUB students apply for the award and the winner is selected by WOUB professional staff members.

As a member station of both NPR and PBS, WOUB Public Media is a trusted source of news, local content, and educational resources that have proven to be worthy of the time, effort, and support of our users. WOUB, an experiential-learning unit of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, is a non-profit, community-supported multimedia organization which provides online and broadcast services, along with non-broadcast educational services and student professional development. WOUB serves 55 counties throughout southeastern Ohio, western West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky with its broadcast signals. WOUB Radio’s FM Network has transmitters in Athens, Chillicothe, Ironton, Zanesville, and Cambridge, while WOUB AM serves the immediate Athens area. WOUB TV is made up of seven television channels.

Through its support of public service, teaching, research, and administrative missions, along with its high-quality local content and programming, WOUB enriches, enhances, and expands the lives and horizons of the people in the communities it serves, as well as Ohio University faculty, staff, and students.

The Sudha Agrawal Memorial Endowment Advances Education Excellence in Physical Therapy

Since its establishment in 2023, the Sudha Agrawal Memorial Endowment has already made a meaningful impact for Ohio University’s Physical Therapy program, and it will continue to do so for years to come. Through a generous $1 million donation from Ohio University emeritus professor Ashok Gupta in honor of his late wife Sudha, the endowment was created to support the Division of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

“The scope of the endowment is a 360-degree development of the PT program,” said Dr. Gupta. “We focus on students. We focus on faculty. We focus on alumni and other clinicians who are in the area that want to improve through continuing education programs.” 

Echoing Dr. Gupta's emphasis on the endowment's comprehensive impact, Gary Chleboun, Program Director and Professor Emeritus of Physical Therapy, expressed his gratitude for the endowment's establishment.

“We are incredibly grateful for establishing the Endowment to honor Sudha. Dr. Gupta’s commitment to advancing the mission and vision of the Division of Physical Therapy and enriching the lives of our students, faculty and alumni is nothing short of remarkable.”

At its core, the endowment supports four initiatives for the academic year, each designed to nurture intellectual curiosity, professional excellence, and unwavering dedication to the field of physical therapy: the Agrawal Lecture series, continuing education courses, awarding mini sabbaticals, and supporting professional development of students. 

The Sudha Agrawal Memorial Endowment was created in memory of Sudha Agrawal (1956-2016) by her family and friends to benefit Ohio University's Division of Physical Therapy. Sudha, an architect, moved to Athens, Ohio in 1983. Following a car accident that resulted in a crushed femur in 1986, she underwent intense physical therapy to regain her ability to walk. Sudha’s recovery journey inspired a new career path in physical therapy, driven by her desire to assist others in improving their quality of life. She pursued her career ambition with determination, balancing her family's priorities while dedicating herself to her studies and training at Ohio University. In 1998, at the age of 42, she achieved her goal, earning a master's in physical therapy.

For 15 years, Sudha passionately cared for her patients as a physical therapist. She retired in 2013 and passed away in 2016. Her legacy lives on through the Sudha Agrawal Memorial Endowment. This endowment supports the education of future therapists, enabling them to offer the same compassionate care Sudha provided to those in need. With the endowment's support, Ohio University's physical therapy program envisions a future of innovation, attracting the brightest minds in the field.

“My long-term aspirations are that the PT department at OHIO becomes the #1 choice for students and faculty,” said Dr. Gupta.

Engineering The Future: Russ Research Opportunity Center Expands OHIO’s Research Horizons

OHIO’s Union Green will soon be home to the new Russ Research Opportunity Center, a collaborative research building that will live in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and will enable the space to live at the intersection of medicine, health and cutting-edge research. The newly named center pays homage to the generous gift that made the building a reality and better distinguishes its research-focused mission.

Named in recognition of Fritz and Dolores Russ, who have provided generous and ongoing support to the Russ College through their historic $124 million estate gift and commitment to education and advancing the Russ College, the Russ Research Opportunity Center will serve as a new space for research and collaboration, both within the Russ College and across multiple disciplinaries.

“Ohio University and the Russ College are incredibly grateful for the contributions Fritz and Dolores Russ have made to expand our research facilities on campus,” President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “This state-of-the-art center will allow us to enhance our research and collaboration across campus and provide space for new discoveries that will change our world for the better.”

The continued generosity of Fritz and Dolores Russ has allowed the Russ College to benefit from the largest endowment of any college at OHIO; through their charitable contributions, they have made it possible to create a research-focused center that creates opportunities for research growth and evolution. This gift enabled the recently completed renovations to the former West Union Street Office Center that will provide specialty labs, offices, workstations, conference rooms, and project rooms for world-class engineering and interdisciplinary research and education.

In addition to the generous support from Fritz and Dolores Russ, AEP Ohio highlighted their ongoing support with two major awards to the Russ Research Opportunity Center and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) research in 2024. AEP has been a strong supporter of the region through Ohio University, which has enabled large scale research, STEM programming, and support of energy research.

Specifically, the AEP Foundation has awarded $100,000 to the Russ College of Engineering and Technology for its new Russ Research Opportunity Center (RROC) and renewed funding at the $100,000 level for OHIO’s STEM Program for Appalachian Ohio. 

“The generosity of the AEP Foundation is truly appreciated,” commented Patrick Fox, Dean of the Russ College of Engineering Technology. “This major gift marks the first named research space within our new RROC building and for it to recognize the American Electric Power Foundation, one of our most valued partners, makes this event even more significant.”

The Russ Research Opportunity Center is also part of a wider plan, including the construction of Heritage Hall, the new chemistry building, the renovation of Clippinger Laboratories, as well as the upcoming Translational Research Facility, to enhance connections to research and the campus community.

OHIO’s College of Fine Arts to be Renamed Following Transformational Gift Commitment from Jeffery Chaddock and Mark Morrow

Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts has been officially renamed the Jeffery D. Chaddock and Mark A. Morrow College of Fine Arts, following a resolution by the Ohio University Board of Trustees. This change comes in recognition of a transformative $25 million gift commitment from distinguished philanthropists Jeffery Chaddock BSC ’88 and Mark Morrow that is positioned to advance Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts, supporting its mission of fostering creativity and education. Ultimately, the gift aims to enhance programs and facilities, enriching the experience for students, faculty and the broader Appalachian community.

"Jeff and Mark’s continued generosity is truly remarkable,” said President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “Their unwavering support for the arts and education reflects their passion for fostering creativity and enriching lives. With their gift, we can enhance our programs, attract exceptional talent, and cultivate an environment that inspires innovation and exploration across Ohio University and the community."

Jeffery Chaddock, CEO of Envisage Wealth, a Central Ohio wealth advisory firm, and his husband, Mark Morrow, a docent at the 9/11 Museum in New York City, are passionate supporters of arts-focused programs. Recognizing the importance of arts education, they have directed a significant portion of their contribution toward creating spaces that will support creativity and collaboration.

The couple expressed their interest in the College of Fine Arts Capital Project soon after it was announced last year. A key component of the college’s $94 million renewal strategy is the establishment of a center dedicated to reimagining arts education at OHIO. This initiative, which includes renovation, relocation and new construction, aims to expand the arts' impact across the campus and surrounding community.

“The impact of this gift will set the stage for future generations to cultivate a rich cultural landscape that inspires the Appalachian region and beyond,” said Lyn Redington, Vice President of Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. “By expanding its reach, enhancing its offerings and creating a dynamic and inclusive community of aspiring artists and thinkers, the college will continue to serve as a beacon of creativity and innovation. To Jeff and Mark, we are eternally grateful for your continued partnership.”

The gift to the college will include programmatic and facility endowments for the Kennedy Museum of Art and the Performing Arts & Concert Series, a fellowship for the college, and a gift to its capital and renovation fund, as well as support for the Ohio University Press, the University’s Pride Center and scholarships.

“This is more than just financial support—it is an investment in the future of the arts,” said Interim Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Jody Lamb. “Jeff and Mark are creating opportunities for our students to grow, express themselves and explore their creative potential.”

Mark and I are delighted to support Ohio University's vision for the future. We steadfastly believe in art's power to transform lives, build understanding and unite communities. Our hope is that this public gift will inspire others to invest early and witness the profound impact their support can make.

Jeff Chaddock