Joan 'Jody' Galbreath Phillips Donates $1 Million for Peden Stadium Enhancement and Expansion

Contact: George Mauzy, media specialist, (740) 597-1794

Editors: A photo of Joan Galbreath Phillips can be found at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/PHILLIPS_JODY.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (January 12, 2001) -- Ohio University alumna Joan "Jody" Galbreath Phillips has donated $1 million to the Peden Stadium enhancement and expansion project and will be recognized at halftime during Saturday's men's basketball game against Miami University at the Convocation Center.

In the past three years, Phillips has provided several gifts to Athletics, including $300,000 for the construction of the Joan and Wallace Phillips Academic Services Center in the Convocation Center and $200,000 toward the installation of permanent outdoor lights at Peden Stadium. In addition, she served as national chairwoman and was a major benefactor to the Peden Stadium Tower campaign during the university's Third Century Campaign.

The Peden project began in November and will increase the 20,000-seat stadium's capacity by 4,000 through the installation of additional seats, a grass berm seating area in the south end zone and a band seating and stage area in the north end zone. Other enhancements include lowering and replacing the playing surface and removing the track from the stadium to bring the seats closer to the field.

"Jody's enthusiasm, leadership and generosity are truly appreciated and we are most grateful that she has continued to support Ohio Athletics," said Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh."For many years Jody has been a wonderful friend to Ohio University, and this particular gift will help us to ensure that Ohio maintains its NCAA I-A football status and rightful place in the public spotlight among the nation's most prestigious state-supported institutions."

Phillips graduated from Ohio University in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in education. She earned a master's degree in education from Ohio State University in 1948. As a student, she was involved in the Women's Studies Group, Women's Panhellenic Association and Pi Beta Phi sorority.

She was named Ohio University Alumna of the Year in 1982 and has been a member of the university's Trustees' Academy since 1966. She was the first board chair of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, which annually presents the Phillips Medal of Public Service in honor of her and her late husband, J. Wallace Phillips. The medal was created in 1976 to recognize outstanding professionals in health care, education and public service.

In 1974, she became the first woman to chair the university's Board of Trustees and was only the second woman to serve as a trustee. Phillips also has served on the university's Foundation Board of Trustees (1973-94, currently emerita), Executive Committee (1974-77), Investment Committee (1980-87), Development Committee (1979-80) and Membership Committee of the Foundation Board (1977-94).

"I love Ohio University," Phillips said. "My grandfather, father and daughter went to school there and I continue to support Athletics because I'm so proud of the department and the student-athletes on and off the field. I didn't participate in sports as a student, but I'm happy to do whatever I can to help improve Ohio University Athletics."

A resident of Columbus, she has been a volunteer for many civic organizations, including United Appeal, Junior Theater of the Arts, Children's Hospital, Junior League, Association of Performing Arts and the Association of Science and Industry.

Phillips' late father, John W. Galbreath, is a two-time graduate of Ohio University who for many years owned and operated John W. Galbreath and Co., a successful real estate development business. In 1957, he had Galbreath Memorial Chapel built on Ohio University's campus in honor of his late wife, Helen Mauk Galbreath, a 1919 Ohio University graduate. Phillips' daughter, Deborah Phillips Bower, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio University in 1973 and is a member of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.

The men's basketball game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and is part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team, which hosts the University of Buffalo at 3 p.m.