Ohio State University: Ohio State’s research growth ‘a strong beginning’
The Ohio State University’s increase in research expenditures is an important step to meet strategic priorities, university President Kristina M. Johnson told the board of trustees Thursday.
The university’s annual research and development expenditures reached a record-breaking figure in fiscal year 2021, Ohio State leaders announced this week. At the board meeting, Johnson remarked on the $1.236 billion in expenditures and why growth in this area is so impactful: Research shows that $1 billion in research and development investment produces an order of 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“This is a strong beginning to our stated goal of doubling research expenditures in this decade,” Johnson told trustees.
Federal research spending grew 7.7% for the year ending June 30, 2021, compared to the previous year, an increase from $539 million to $581 million.
Johnson pointed to examples of Ohio State research and how it helps communities, including funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support a roboctic irrigation system that was announced during a recent visit by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The president also noted some of the current successes on campus, highlighting last month’s recoginition of the Master of Science in Nursing as the top online nursing master’s program in the country and the year-to-year drop in major crimes occurring on campus.
“Despite all of the challenges we’ve faced, life at Ohio State is thriving,” Johnson said.
The following actions were taken during the board’s meeting:
Establishment of new degrees approved
Trustees approved the creation of a doctor of nursing education degree program in the College of Nursing. The degree is geared toward nurses with a master’s degree and aimed at preparing nursing educators with doctoral-level training.
The board also approved the creation of a master of structural engineering degree program in the College of Engineering. It is aimed at practicing structural engineers seeking to increase their technical skills and their management and leadership abilities.
Distinguished Service Awards approved
Trustees authorized the conferral of six awards that recognize distinguished service to Ohio State. The awards are based on the recommendations of the Distinguished Service Awards Committee and will be given to:
Paul Beck, one of the world’s leading experts on American electoral politics. Before retiring in 2012, Beck served as distinguished professor, chair of the Department of Political Science and dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Thomas Katzenmeyer, who has helped to shape strategies and fuel progress for a variety of projects and programs that bring together Ohio State and surrounding community partners. Katzenmeyer has served as the president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council since 2013.
Ruth Peterson, who served as a distinguished scholar and mentor whose service impacted students and faculty at Ohio State and across the country. Peterson worked to enhance the research visibility and diversity of Ohio State and retired from the university in 2011 as an emerita professor of sociology and the director of the Criminal Justice Research Center.
Kara Trott, the founder, board chair and senior adviser of Quantum Health and an active philanthropic leader and volunteer with Ohio State. Trott graduated from the Moritz College of Law and serves as the co-chair of the college’s Time and Change campaign committee.
Carol Whitacre, who is recognized for bridging the health sciences components of Ohio State with the arts and sciences and professional colleges through her commitment to faculty-based leadership. Whitacre retired as senior vice president for research in 2017 after 36 years with the university, including establishing new programs, revitalizing core facilities, creating venues to recognize outstanding researchers and recruiting stellar faculty.
Bob Wright, who has provided generous support of scholarships and his time and remarkable career and life experiences with his alma mater. Wright spent his career working in government, business and finance to accelerate the welfare, economic justice and civility of Black and minority populations. He was the second African American to graduate from Ohio State as a doctor of optometry in 1960.
Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:
Framework 3.0
The project will update Framework 2.0, which the university adopted in 2017 to reinforce and refine planning ideas and establish near- and long-term concepts for the physical campus. Trustees approved professional services contracts totaling $1.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds and university funds.
East Hospital dock expansion
The project will add nine new bays and upgrade offsite central sterile requirements to provide an enclosed space for delivery and pickup. Trustees approved professional services and construction contracts totaling $5.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
Veterinary Medicine equine arena
The project will construct a 12,000-square-foot arena for equine performance evaluation. The revised scope calls for a closed arena and an attached clinic. Trustees approved professional services and construction contracts totaling $4.7 million, to be paid for with university funds and fundraising.
Library book depository phase 3
The project will construct a 25,100-square-foot addition to the existing building to increase capacity by 61%. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $18 million, to be paid for with university debt and university funds.
Wooster boiler No. 3 replacement
The project will install a 30,000 pounds-per-hour steam boiler to serve the entire Wooster campus. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $8 million, to be paid for with state funds.
Property arrangements approved
Trustees approved a variety of property-related easements and acquisition:
· About 0.03 acres at Barnard Road in Wayne County, Ohio
A perpetual roadway easement was granted to the Board of Commissioners of Wayne County across a portion of university land at Barnard Road, Apple Creek, for $1, for roadway purposes.
About 0.02 acres at 7171 Sawmill Parkway, Delaware County, Ohio
A perpetual roadway easement was granted to the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County across a portion of 7171 Sawmill Parkway at Castleblaney Lane, Powell, for $1, to support development and construction of the ambulatory facility to be located at this address.
About 0.323 acres at Medical Center Drive in Franklin County, Ohio
A perpetual sanitary sewer easement was granted to the City of Columbus across a portion of university land at Medical Center Drive, Columbus, for $1, to support construction of the Dodd Hall parking garage.
About 0.1337 acres at 1585 Neil Ave. in Franklin County, Ohio
A perpetual sanitary sewer easement was granted to the City of Columbus across a portion of university land at 1585 Neil Ave., Columbus, for $1, to support construction activities at Newton Hall.
Two pieces of real property
1316 Country Club Drive, Newark, Licking County, Ohio. The university agreed to purchase a two-story home on 0.20 acres. The property is surrounded by state of Ohio land for the use and benefit of the Ohio State Newark campus.
Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, property adjacent to Outpatient Care East. The university will acquire about five acres of unimproved property for the development of parking facilities.
Resolutions in Memoriam announced
The board approved resolutions honoring the following former faculty emeriti who recently died:
John M. Cassady, dean emeritus in the College of Pharmacy, who died on Sept. 29, 2021, at age 83.
Thomas F. Heck, professor emeritus with University Libraries, who died on Oct. 3, 2021, at age 78.
John C. Huntington, professor emeritus in the Department of History of Art in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Nov. 28, 2021, at age 84.
Clark Mount-Campbell, professor emeritus in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering, who died on Sept. 25, 2021, at age 79.
Shirley Palmer, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Oct. 9, 2021, at age 88.
Randall B. Ripley, professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, who died on Oct. 8, 2021, at age 83.
Robert E. Roth, professor emeritus of Environmental Education in the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 3, 2021, at age 84.
Sigel G. Stocker, assistant professor emeritus with the Agricultural Technical Institute, who died on Nov. 5, 2021, at age 89.
William J. Studer, professor emeritus and former director of University Libraries, who died on Oct. 14, 2021, at age 85.
John P. Vimmerstedt, associate professor emeritus of forestry in the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 3, 2021.
Milton Wyman, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who died on Sept. 27, 2021, at age 91.
Personnel actions approved
The board approved the following appointments:
Damon E. Jaggars has been appointed interim vice provost for student academic success and dean of undergraduate education in Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting Nov. 8, 2021, and running through June 30, 2022.
Marcos J. G. De Lima has been appointed professor (William Greenville Pace III Endowed Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Jan. 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Jeffrey C. Horowitz has been appointed professor (Endowed Professorship in Pulmonary Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
John D. Hummel has been appointed professor-clinical (Corrine Frick Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Daniel E. Jonas has been appointed professor (Endowed Professorship in Health Services Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Robert E. Merritt has been appointed professor-clinical (Adenil Day Designated Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Michael A. Neblo has been appointed professor (College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting Aug. 15, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2027.
Christopher M. Nichols has been appointed professor (Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting June 1, 2022, and running through May 31, 2027.
Sakima A. Smith has been appointed associate professor (Bob Frick Research Chair in Heart Failure and Arrhythmia) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Theodore Wagener has been appointed associate professor (Leonard J. Immke, Jr. and Charlotte L. Immke Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Jan. 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Ruqaiijah Yearby has been appointed professor (Kara J. Trott Professor in Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term starting Aug. 15, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2027.