President's Message: The Silly Season
The holidays are a strange time for me. I always end up relying on the college football season to help me transition into the winter months. Watching the games, the Buckeyes in particular, gives me something to look forward to as the days get shorter and colder.
Maybe I just need to find a few more winter hobbies, so I don't end up missing the warm weather as much. The golfers on the PGA Tour refer to this time of year as the "Silly Season." I think many of us can relate to that designation.
There's nothing sane about wandering aimlessly through a crowded shopping mall to find gifts for everyone from immediate family members to the guy down the street who always waves when you drive by. For those of us who work in the retail industry, there's plenty of silliness to go around as we try to cater to all of those holiday shoppers.
Fortunately, our local alumni club provides us with plenty of reasons to look forward to the end of the year. It arranges for us to have the opportunity to represent Ohio State at local high school college fairs.
It organizes alumni participation in the Salvation Army Angel Tree, so we can help those in the community who are less fortunate. The club also sponsors a food drive every year to help ensure that those who have nothing can at least get a hot meal.
For an organization that is dedicated to serving our university and the community, the holiday season is probably the most important time of the year. I encourage all of you to take advantage of the volunteer opportunities that make the Silly Season very serious stuff. And whether you're participating in a club-sponsored function or some other charitable work, don't be afraid to display your scarlet and gray colors.
To me, making the world a better place is what Ohio State is all about. Our alma mater has certainly made my life better, and I welcome the opportunity to pay it forward every chance I get.
Jay Merringer
Class of '95
President's Message: It Really Is A Great Time to Be a Buckeye
In recent months, I've heard many alumni and fans talk about how Ohio State is experiencing some of the best days in the history of the university. For the most part, people are just thrilled that we were able to win our first national championship in football in over three decades.
Even so, there are many more positives beyond our success on the gridiron that we can all feel great about. All of our sports programs are doing tremendously well. When Andy Geiger brought in Coach Tressel to head the football program, some people questioned the decision. But in the end, the move only solidified Geiger's reputation as one of the best college athletic directors in the country. He has brought together a group of coaches across all of the varsity sports teams that is unprecedented at any university, and his ability to garner community support for his school is becoming legendary.
Academically, OSU has been consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation over the last several years. Many of the degree programs we offer have become perennial powerhouses in the academic arena. Others are gaining momentum as a result of steps taken by our strong university leadership and earning mention in top academic publications.
Even when we appear to be suffering minor setbacks, we seem to find a way to make a positive out of it. The news that Dan Heinlen would retire as leader of the Alumni Association concerned many of us. He had served us extraordinarily well for many years. However, we were fortunate to be able to replace him with the one person who is probably most capable of filling Dan's large shoes. I don't know who could be a better choice to lead the association going forward than Archie Griffin.
Archie spoke at my high school years ago, and I've had the utmost respect for him as a person ever since. Even without the incredible athletic success he enjoyed at Ohio State, he would still be my top choice to lead the organization. I'm sure those of you who have been fortunate enough to meet him or hear him speak in person share my confidence in Archie's leadership abilities. What a wonderful spokesman he is for our great university.
Although things are going well for Ohio State right now, we still have much work to do. Local alumni clubs like ours play an important role in supporting and promoting the university. I hope many of you will find the time to get involved with some of the programs the club sponsors.
Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if you are interested in participating in club activities or possibly serving on the board of directors.
Sincerely,
Jay Merringer
Class of '95
Students Honored at Spring Reception
The OSU Alumni Club of Richmond honored two students heading to Columbus this fall, and heard from the university architect during the club's annual spring reception. During the meeting, Jill Morelli presented a slide show of various constrction projects underway at Ohio State. The university, she said, has more than $1 billion-worth of projects planned for the next five years. Also, the club awarded a $1,600 scholarship to Zachary D. Timmons, who graduated in June from Woodside High School in Newport News. He scored a 1270 on his SAT test and was ranked 36th in his graduating class of 434 students. Brandon J. Miller, who graduated from Lloyd C. Byrd High School in Chesterfield county, was aarded a $1,000 scholarship. He scored 1240 on his SAT, and ranked 73rd in his class of 391 students. The reception was held at Maggiano's Little Italy restaraunt in the Short Pump Town Center.
Richmond Buckeyes Hold Annual Reception
Forty-five Richmond buckeyes gathered at the Capitol Club in the James Center in Richmond on May 7 to hear Luke Fickell, special teams coach for OSU's national championship football team. Luke was accompanied by Chris Vlahos, Vice-President, Membership & Marketing for The Ohio State University Alumni Association, who brought greetings from Columbus.
Dan Kelliher, athletics chairman for the local club introduced Fickell who entertained the group with stories about this years undefeated team.
Greg Gilligan, scholarship chairman presented this years local scholarship to Jennifer Villacres from Stafford County who will attend Ohio State this fall. This is the twelfth year that the Richmond club has presented a scholarship to one or more Virginia students who attend The Ohio State University.
During a brief business meeting, Martha Campbell, immediate past president, announced the slate of officers and board members for the 2003-2004 year. Jay Merringer will assume the duties of president taking over for Tom Hephner who served as interim president for the past year. New board members and officers include Lisa Preebe, Leigh Brown and Lynn Frank. Jeff Kwitchen is returning to the board after a brief absence.
A special "award" was presented to Dan Kelliher, athletic chairman, by Tom Hephner, presiding as president. Kelliher was recognized for his continuing efforts in organizing game watches for all OSU football games this past year. Kelliher and "Kelliher's Klan", a group ranging in size from 25-30 to over 130 (for the Fiesta Bowl) gathered each week at a west end sports pub to watch not only OSU football games but basketball as well.
This annual reception has been held since the early '70's and is one that is anticipated by many of the members.
