ODU Insider

Spring Commencement a Success
Congratulations to Ohio Dominican’s new alumni who graduated during Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 7, in Panther Stadium. More than 200 graduates received their degree during the ceremony. Barb Smoot, President and CEO of Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) delivered the keynote address and received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa. Click here to watch a recording of the ceremony that was livestreamed.

Gift to ODU Pays Tribute to Renowned Scientist, Catholic Faith and 51-Year Marriage
Soon after renowned scientist Dr. Heimo Langer passed away in 2017, his wife, Hedda, wanted to memorialize him in a special way that paid tribute to their 51-year marriage and Catholic faith, and that also would bring together his two passions – chemistry and education. She found that opportunity at Ohio Dominican University. Click here to read more.

ODU Students Recognized for Leadership and Academic Achievement
Dozens of Ohio Dominican students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and contributions during the university’s annual Celebrating Leadership and Academic Awards Ceremony on April 25, 2022. Click here to view a full list of student honorees.

Half-Price Summer Courses at ODU
Ohio Dominican is offering undergraduate courses this summer at just $400 per credit hour, which is more than half off the current part-time rate. These courses are available to both current ODU students who wish to get ahead on coursework and save on tuition cost, as well as non-ODU students who wish to take the courses at a reduced rate and transfer the credits back to their home institution. The courses cover a wide range of fields of study, and while a majority will be available online, some also will be available on campus. Click here to learn more.

ODU’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations is Growing!
Please join us in welcoming Tara Cahill and Alison Baker ’17 to Ohio Dominican’s Advancement and Alumni Relations team. Tara serves as Manager of Advancement Services and Alison, a proud 2017 alumna, is our new Director of Annual Giving. If you find yourself near campus – or better yet, if you’re planning a visit – please let us know so we can introduce you to the newest members of our team! 

Do you have news to share? Click here!

News

Dee Duale Goergen ’82 is capping off a 34-year career as a social worker. She worked her last day at Hillcrest Hospital in Lyndhurst Ohio (near Cleveland) on May 4, 2022. Dee is celebrating her career with a trip to Hawaii with her husband, Doug. The two live in Munson, Ohio and have a daughter, Molly, who lives in Columbus and works for the Ohio EPA.

Mary Gygli ’82 is the new Director of Alumnae Relations and Annual Fund at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. She has had a career in marketing, Communications and Government Relations at The City of Solon, The City of Cleveland, the American Red Cross and Cuyahoga Community College.

Sarah Lytle Shumick ’14 started as the University Relations Specialist at Battelle in May 2022.

In Memoriam

Carolyn Busse ’58, May 6, 2022.

Rosalie Medert Hoover ’61, Sister of John Medert ’66, April 6, 2022.

Robert (Bob) Chrisman ’81, Brother of Elizabeth (Beth) Chrisman ’69, May 2, 2022.

Robert “Bob” Ahlers, husband of Sally Spires Ahlers ’61, April 25, 2022.

Marianne Lehman Brown, (FR), April 14, 2022.

Nancy Ann Stevenson Wolf Jones (Non-Grad & Former Staff), May 16, 2022.

Cheryl Lynn Lewis, Mother of Michael (Mike) Lewis ’99 and Mother-in-Law of Laura Zalenski Lewis ’99, May 8, 2022.

You may have recently received an appeal to support our incredible students. As we continue to work our way through challenges related to the pandemic, we hope you will take a moment to make a gift in support of Ohio Dominican – your gifts and support really do matter. Click here to make a safe and secure online gift right now. If you would rather make a gift via check, kindly send your check made payable to “Ohio Dominican University” to

Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219.

Thank you to all of you who have already made a gift or multiple gifts this year – your generosity is so appreciated. Please note that ODU’s fiscal year officially ends on June 30, 2022.

Make a Gift via IRA Distribution
One of the great ways that our donors support ODU is by making a gift via IRA distribution. Making a charitable donation via IRA distribution could help lower your tax bill while supporting a worthy cause. Distributions must be made directly to the charity instead of to the owner or beneficiary, and all distribution checks must to be made payable to the charity or they will be counted as taxable distributions.

Thinking About Planned Giving?
Planned gifts are a wonderful way to support ODU students while helping you reduce your taxes, increase your income, and provide for your family after you’re gone. The friendly staff in ODU’s Advancement and Alumni Relations Office is at your service to answer any questions you may have, and we are happy to get you started via phone or email! We are excited to work with you and your financial advisor to help you select the giving tools that best meet your personal philanthropic goals while having the greatest impact on the students we serve. Click here to learn more about planned giving.

Manuel Martinez, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic affairs, translated a book that was published recently. The book is called “About Spirits and Other Mysteries,” or “Sobre espiritus y otros misterios” and is written by Esther Diaz Llanillo and was translated by Dr. Martinez and Sara E. Cooper.

Imali Abala, Ph.D., English, spoke at Hofstra University on April 25 for its Distinguished African Scholars and Writers Series. She presented “Herstory: Dreams, Voice and the Paradox of Gender” and “Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions about Africa.”

Andrew Berger and Cameron Clutter were inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa during a ceremony on April 25. TAK is the National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology. Brayden Steller also was awarded the Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Theology.

Adam Hirschfeld spoke at the Columbus Diocesan Schools’ College Success Summit on Saturday, April 30, at St. Charles Preparatory School. He presented “College 101” to attendees.

Jeremy Glazier, English, wrote the introduction to “The Jesus Project,” which is a book of photographs by the artist Robert Colgan. The images show a life-sized plaster Christ photographed in a wide range of contemporary settings, such as a hospital, prison and windfarm, and it is meant to explore the gray areas between sacred and profane, spiritual and mundane. Click here for more information.

ODU’s Spring Commencement was previewed on April 29 in Columbus Monthly Magazine and was mentioned on ABC6’s morning’s broadcast on Saturday, May 7.

Robert Parks, Ph.D., Theology, presented a paper, “Parallel Tolerances: Donatists, the Catholics of Hippo, and the Bishop” on May 12 at the 2022 International Congress on Medieval Studies, hosted by the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University. The paper argued that St. Augustine sought in his dealings with other persons to show the mercy and patience of God which he had experienced. His desire to show mercy extended even to those who intended the destruction of the Church's unity. 

Athletic Hall of Fame
Homecoming
Reunion Celebrations (Special Celebration for 50^th Classes of 1970, 1971 & 1972)
Distinguished Alumni Awards

Saturday, November 12
Veterans Appreciation Event

Stay tuned for more events and details! Contact Christie Flood Weiner ’90 at weinerc@ohiodominican.edu or 614-253-3502 for any questions.