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OHIO
UNIVERSITY ONE OF NATION'S TOP PICKS FOR CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
10/22/99
Contacts:
- Ohio
University -- Leesa Brown, News
Services,
740-593-1043
- The
John Templeton Foundation -- Gretchen Wright,
202-371-1999
ATHENS,
Ohio -- Ohio University was today cited as one of the top
ethics and character-building institutions in the country,
besting in number and depth of programs such universities as
Princeton, Dartmouth, Yale, and dozens of other mostly
private institutions.
The John
Templeton Foundation announced the awards at its
headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
As a
result, Ohio University will be prominently profiled in the
nationally distributed directory "Colleges that Encourage
Character Development."
"The
Templeton Guide identifies colleges that encourage students
to understand the importance of personal and civic
responsibility, which will help them succeed in college and
beyond," said Arthur J. Schwartz, Ed.D., Director of
Character Development Programs at the Templeton Foundation.
"Ohio University's work in their area is most impressive."
Ohio is
one of 100 colleges and universities named to the Templeton
Honor Roll for its commitment to inspire students to lead
ethical and civic-minded lives. President Glidden is one of
50 college presidents out of a pool of some 750 presidents
to make the Honor Roll for leadership in character
development.
The
Templeton announcement coincided with President Robert
Glidden's State of the University address calling for more
emphasis on ethical education to balance opportunities
created by the school's technology initiatives.
Ohio is
one of only 20 institutions to receive distinction in the
Honor Roll and Presidential Leadership categories, and is
the only university in the state to be represented on both
highly prized lists. Moreover, Dr. Glidden joins the
presidents of the University of Virginia and Southwest
Missouri University as the only public university leaders to
be recognized.
In his
speech today at Irvine Auditorium, Glidden credited ethics
programming and the Division
of Student Affairs
for his citation for Presidential Leadership. "We were also
cited for exemplary programs dealing with substance-abuse
prevention, character development, and sexuality, and for
our volunteer service and leadership study initiatives.
"And we
firmly believe that the PATH
program
played a key role in our selection for this important
honor."
"Your PATH
at Ohio" designed by Special Assistant to the President
Michael Bugeja, emphasizes personal accountability, trust,
and honor and expands on Ohio University's core values of
respect, civility, and diversity.
"Our
standards flow from there," Glidden said. "We can measure
ourselves in many other ways as well-graduation rates, test
scores, the number of applicants every year, and the number
of awards. Those are important considerations, certainly.
But ultimately what means the most is what kind of citizens
we contribute to the world.
"The
Templeton citations reaffirm Ohio University's tradition of
educating leaders who not only contribute to society but set
the standards as well."
In
addition to Honor Roll and Presidential leadership, several
programs created by the Division of Student Affairs were
highlighted:
- Volunteer
Service, associated with the university's
Center
for Community Service.
- Sexuality
Programming, associated with the student organization
Promoting
Ohio University Wellness, Education, and
Responsibility
(POWER).
- Student
Leadership Program, associated with Peer Leadership
Consultants and the Emerging Leader programs.
- Substance
Abuse Prevention, associated with the "Your PATH at Ohio"
program and the Binge Drinking Prevention Coalition, now
known as CARDD (Coalition Advocating Responsible Drinking
Decisions).
Other
"Honor Roll" institutions profiled prominently with Ohio
University in "Colleges that Encourage Character
Development" include Baylor, Colorado State University,
Dartmouth College, Emory University, Pepperdine University,
Princeton University, United States Military Academy, United
States Naval Academy, University of Dayton, University of
Miami, University of Oklahoma, Washington and Lee
University, and Yale University.
In
addition to Ohio University, institutions recognized for
Honor Roll and programmatic and presidential excellence
include the University of Notre Dame, the Air Force Academy,
the University of Virginia, and Wake Forest.
The
Templeton Awards add to a list of honors received this year
by Ohio University. The institution has earned competitive
national rankings in U.S. News and World Report, The
Sporting News, the Kaplan Report, and Best College
Buys, among others.
Personnel
contributing materials and information to the Templeton
Foundation include Dr. Bugeja; Terry Hogan, Ph.D., interim
Dean of Students; Patricia McSteen, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of
Students; Richard Carpinelli, assistant to the Vice
President of Student Affairs; Judy Piercy, assistant
director of the Office
of Judiciaries;
Charlene Kopchick, director, Health
Education & Wellness;
Stephanie Dorgan, assistant director, Health Education &
Wellness; Merle Graybill, interim director of the Center for
Community Service; Becky Bushey-Miller, assistant director
of student activities for leadership development; Jennifer
Schomburg, graduate associate for leadership development;
and their staffs and students.
"Colleges
that Encourage Character Development" is created and funded
by philanthropist John Templeton. A former stockbroker,
Templeton now sponsors more than 100 programs directed
toward educators, scientists, theologians, medical
professionals, and other scholars throughout the world. In
1972, Templeton introduced what has become known as the
"Nobel Prize for Religion" when he awarded the Templeton
Prize for Progress in Religion to Mother Theresa. The award,
given annually based upon the recommendations of an
international panel, is presented by Britain's Prince
Phillip. At $1.24 million, it is the richest prize in the
world.
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