President Emeritus Vernon Alden Receives Ohio University Foundation's Baker Award
Contact: Mary Alice Casey, (740) 593-1890
Editors: Information on photos that may be downloaded from the Web appears at the end of this news release.
ATHENS, Ohio (November 14, 2000) -- Ohio University President Emeritus Vernon Alden is this year's recipient of the John C. Baker Award, the most prestigious commendation given by The Ohio University Foundation.
Alden, who led the university from 1962 to 1969 as its 15th president, was presented with the annual award at a Nov. 10 foundation ceremony attended by all four of his children. Named for Alden's predecessor, John C. Baker, who served as president from 1945 to 1961, the award recognizes Alden's outstanding service and dedication to the university. Alden is the sixth recipient of the award, established in 1995.
"John Baker was really marvelous a good friend," said Alden, who worked with Baker at Harvard University before Baker left to become president of Ohio University. "I didn't know that John was grooming me to be his successor," he joked.
President Robert Glidden presented the award to Alden.
"Vern's dedication to Ohio University has been exemplary," Glidden said. "If there was one word I could use to describe him it would be 'energetic.'"
Alden said receiving the Baker Award was the second pleasant surprise of the day. That afternoon, the former president was the guest of honor at a party thrown by the Alden Library staff to recognize his $5 million gift commitment to Ohio University Libraries. Announced in October, Alden's gift to the university's Bicentennial Campaign will create the Marion Parson Alden Permanent Endowment for University Libraries in memory of his wife, who died in 1999.
A committee of foundation representatives selected Alden as this year's Baker Award recipient in July in a decision unrelated to his commitment to the library system.
"It was the happiest and most satisfying career in our lives, to be at Ohio University," Alden said of the time he and his wife spent in Athens. "I wanted to express my appreciation to her in perpetuity."
Alden Library was dedicated in Vernon Alden's name when it opened in February 1969 with some 500,000 volumes. It acquired its 2 millionth volume in 1995.
The Ohio University Foundation, which is governed by a 52-member volunteer board, manages all charitable gifts to Ohio University. During fiscal year 1999, more than $38 million was raised in total private contributions from more than 26,000 donors. The Ohio University endowment, which currently stands at $220 million, is expected to provide the university with more than $8.6 million in academic, instructional and scholarship support this fiscal year.
Alden, a graduate of Brown and Harvard universities, came to Ohio University at age 38 from his position as associate dean at Harvard Business School. His administration saw a doubling of enrollment and faculty and a large expansion of campus infrastructure. Under his leadership, there was a significant increase in research activities, a broadening of academic programs and growth of the university's role in regional development and international programs.
Alden currently is honorary consul general for the Royal Thai Consulate in Boston for the Kingdom of Thailand and chairman of the Japan Society of Boston. He lives in Boston and often returns to Athens for campus activities.
Photo information: There are several photos of Vernon Alden that can be downloaded from the
Web.
