ODU Insider—February 2021

Greetings, Alumni!

It is hard to believe we are already in the season of Lent, and that Valentine’s Day has come and gone. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day, especially our 375 Double Dominican couples!

Like you, our campus community continues to work through these challenging times, and we pray for those of you impacted significantly by this pandemic. This has been a difficult eleven months for all of us, and our prayers go out to our proud alumni and amazing friends that have been lost as a result of this pandemic.

As we continue to work through these times, Ohio Dominican is doing all it can to provide a safe and engaging learning and working environment for its students, faculty and staff. Many classes continue to utilize a hybrid format, which incorporates both in-person and online formats.

Despite the challenges, we continue to be blessed with generous support from so many of you. Your support has played a critical role in the success of our students, especially these days, and it energizes the entire campus community as we continue to move forward.

There truly is much to celebrate at Ohio Dominican. Learn more about recent news and updates in this month’s Insider.

Please enjoy this issue of the Insider, and keep in touch.

God Bless,

Christie Flood Weiner ’90
Associate Vice President for Advancement and Director of Alumni Relations

News

Jessica Anderson '08 was was named the first female president in the company’s century-long history for Anderson Concrete Corporation in Columbus, OH in February 2021.

 

Angela Romano Kuo ’98/’04 (MBA) was named Chief People Officer for Grayscale Investments in February 2021.

Scott Timmer ’12 (MBA) was named the new Deputy Director for Fairfield, OH. Scott was formerly the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Kendall M. White '18 was one of the 2021 "Future History Maker" winners in February 2021.

In Memoriam

Missy Weiler (FR), Wife of Robert Weiler, Sr. (FR) and Mother of Robert (Skip) Weiler, Jr. (Former ODU Trustee), February 4, 2021

Lois Connor, Wife of Patrick (PJ) Connor ’69 and Mother of Mary Connor Mazik ’92 and Ann Connor Lanier ‘91, January 30, 2021

Patrick (PJ) Connor ’69, Father of Mary Connor Mazik ’92 and Ann Connor Lanier ’91, January 30, 2021

Sr. Rita M. Busch, O.P. ’59, January 25, 2021

David Roesch ’74, January 25, 2021

Andrea (Cheryle) Davis ’53, January 22, 2021

Dorothy Hovelson-Gunn ’49, January 19, 2021

Philip (Phil) Absi, Husband of Gloria Zide Absi ’58, and Father of Maribeth Absi ’86, January 18, 2021

Ohio Dominican Awarded $650,000 Grant to Recruit and Support STEM Students
ODU has been awarded a five-year grant totaling $649,959 from the National Science Foundation to recruit, engage and support low-income students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science. Approximately $420,000 of the grant funds is dedicated to providing scholarship assistance to as many as 14 students over the five-year period who demonstrate financial need. Click here to read more.

ODU and Central Ohio Primary Care Announce Innovative New Academic and Clinical Partnership
Ohio Dominican and Central Ohio Primary Care have entered into a comprehensive and multifaceted agreement to enhance the academic opportunities available to students and provide care to members of the campus and neighboring communities. Click here to read more.

Ohio Dominican PR Students Take First Place in McCain Institute and EdVenture Partners National Competition
A team of four Ohio Dominican Public Relations and Marketing Communications students has taken top honors in the McCain Institute for International Leadership and EdVenture Partners' (EVP) “Invent2Prevent” national competition. ODU was among more than two dozen universities across the country represented by student teams who were asked to identify new whole-of-society approaches to targeted violence and terrorism prevention. ODU’s team was comprised of Alexis Young ’21, Vivian Nnachetam ’22, Kylee Risinger-O’Malley ’21, and Jacqueline Neu ’22. The students and their adviser, ODU academic program director and assistant professor of Public Relations Natalie Kompa, Ed.D. submitted their proposal in fall 2020. ODU’s team was among three groups invited to present their proposals virtually on Jan. 29, 2021, to a panel of judges. ODU’s team’s proposal, “The All Together Human Project,” is a peer-to-peer training program that moves college students to action by empowering them to combat hate-based violence and hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community. Click here to read more.

ODU Professor’s Research into Treatments for Neglected Diseases Featured in New Video
ODU Assistant Professor of Chemistry Janet Antwi, Ph.D. is featured in a new video produced by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations. The video highlights Dr. Antwi’s research into possible treatments for Leishmaniasis, which is considered a neglected disease by the World Health Organization. Click here to watch the video.

Drive-Thru ODU Admission Event Moved to March 1
Due to inclement weather, the Drive-Thru ODU instant admission event that was scheduled to take place on Feb. 15 has been moved to Monday, March 1. During the event, students who are interested in enrolling or transferring to Ohio Dominican will have an opportunity to begin or complete the admission process from the comfort of their car. Click here to read more.

Help ODU’s Admission Office – Refer a Student Today!
One of the greatest ways you can help ODU is by referring students to consider attending Ohio Dominican. The Admissions Office continues to work despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Please consider supporting our university by referring a student today by clicking here. Together we can make a difference. Thank you for your time and consideration!

ODU to Host Virtual Information Sessions to Highlight Columbus Diocesan Schools Partnership
Ohio Dominican will host several upcoming virtual information sessions regarding its new educational partnership with the Diocese of Columbus. The partnership offers diocesan teachers, staff and administrators, as well as their spouses and dependents, an opportunity to complete a wide range of graduate degrees at a discounted rate. The program-specific information sessions will take place on Feb. 24, Feb. 25 and March 3. Click here to read more.

Information Sessions Scheduled for Columbus City Schools Partnership
Ohio Dominican also will host two virtual information sessions to highlight its educational partnership with Columbus City Schools (CCS). The program-specific events will take place on March 2 & 8 at 4 p.m. Click here to register.

New Episode of “ODU Rising – The Podcast” Now Available
How has the pandemic affected the operation of the largest young professionals club in the country, Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club? Click here to listen to John Naughton’s interview with CYP Club Founder and CEO Derek Grosso in the latest episode of “ODU Rising – The Podcast.

Alecia Dennis, Admission, was mentioned in the Jan. 13 edition of Columbus Business First in an article highlighting ODU’s upcoming Drive-Thru ODU instant admission event. Click here to read the article.

Ohio Dominican’s upcoming Drive-Thru ODU event was discussed on the Brandon Boxer Radio Show on WTVN radio on Friday, Jan. 15.

ODU’s new partnership with COPC was highlighted in an article published on Jan. 22 in Columbus Business First. Click here to read the article.

Robert Gervasi, Ph.D., President, was profiled in an article published on Jan. 22 in Columbus Business First. Click here to read the article.

Robert Gervasi, Ph.D., President, was mentioned in an article published on Jan. 23 in Columbus Business First that discusses the lasting impact that the pandemic could have on higher education. Click here to read the article.

Blake Mathys, Ph.D., Environmental Science, had a chapter published recently in “Invasive Birds: Global Trends and Impacts.” A number of news articles also have been published highlighting Dr. Mathys’ owl project, including in the Galion Inquirer on Jan. 19, WKTN on Jan. 12 & 15, and WLWT on Nov. 19. The study also was mentioned in the January edition of the statewide electric cooperative magazine as well as in the Feb. 7 edition of The Columbus Dispatch.

Brian Besong, Ph.D., Philosophy, appeared live on EWTN on Jan. 20 for a live interview with Fr. Mitch Pacwa on “EWTN Live.” He was interviewed about the phenomena of philosophers becoming Catholic. Click here to watch his appearance.

Michael Dougherty, Ph.D., Philosophy, had his research on academic plagiarism discussed in a story in the National Post in Canada. Click here to read the article.

Manuel Martinez, Ph.D., appeared on ABC6’s 7 p.m. newscast on Jan. 25 discussing ODU’s new partnership with COPC.

Imali Abala, Ph.D., English, edited the recent issue of the Kenya Studies Review Journal. This special issue focuses on COVID-19 and its impact on Kenya. Click here to view the journal.

Mary Filice, Ph.D., Theology, conducted a presentation for the Realtors Association of Central Indiana on Jan. 28 about the insight that the Enneagram can provide their realtors to better approach their vocation as a realtor with the goal to “preserve, protect and advance the right to real property for all.” This ethical discussion focused on how to live true to who our creator has called us to be while keeping in mind the common good. 

Maj. Gen. Dennis Laich (Ret.), PATRIOTS Program, was appointed recently to be a Senior Fellow at the Eisenhower Media Network, which is an organization of independent military and national security veteran experts. He also wrote an op-ed that was published in the Feb. 8 edition of USA Today, “Enough with America’s ‘Thank You for Your Service’ Culture. It’s Betrayal, Not Patriotism.” Click here to read the article.

Army ROTC cadet Nathaniel Amaya has won an internship with the Judge Advocate General Corps. He will serve for one month this summer with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Ohio Dominican’s upcoming Drive-Thru ODU instant admission event was mentioned in the March 2021 issue of U.S. Catholic magazine.

Your Support Makes An Impact!

Despite the many restrictions and challenges related to the pandemic, our community continues to rise up and work together to keep ODU’s mission alive and well. To all of you who have made a gift to support our efforts, thank you for helping to make it possible for us to provide an ODU education to our outstanding students. The generous support of our alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff, and corporate partners is incredibly important and valuable to us. We are Panther strong!

If you haven’t given in a while, or you’d like to further support the university, we hope you will consider making either a one-time or a recurring gift either online by clicking here or via check made payable to “Ohio Dominican University” and sent to:

Advancement Office
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219

As always, if you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at 614-253-3502. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Monday, March 1 at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Drive-Thru ODU Instant Admission Event

Stay Tuned for Alumni Events!
More information will be coming soon about fall and spring events. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions, we have had to reevaluate our programming and planning. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions about possible events, please do not hesitate to reach out and share. Thank you for your patience!