Perottis to be Honored with Named Scholarship

Contact: Leisa Walters, (740) 589-6412

Editors: Pictures of the Perottis can be found at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/PEROTTI_JAMES.JPG and www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/PEROTTI_VALERIE.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (May 25, 2001) -- College of Business professors James and Valerie Slivka Perotti will retire at the end of this school year after touching the lives of students for more than 30 years. To honor the couple, members of the Corporate Leadership Fellows Program announced they are establishing the Drs. James and Valerie Perotti Scholarship.

The Corporate Leadership Fellows Program, created to develop the leadership skills of College of Business seniors through first-hand experience, is raising $15,000 to endow the scholarship.

"The Perottis have contributed so much to Ohio University and its students over the years," said Leisa Walters, a Corporate Leadership Fellow. "This scholarship will assure that their dedication and commitment to the university is forever appreciated."

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have 96 completed credit hours, a minimum 3.0 GPA and be involved in at least one student organization. Candidates also must submit an essay-based application to the selection committee.

James Perotti, a professor of management systems in the College of Business, began at Ohio University in 1966 as an assistant professor of philosophy. From 1968 to 1981, he served as associate provost for planning and budgeting. In 1982, he helped establish the Management Information Systems Department and served as its first chair. He received the college's Faculty/Staff Contribution Award in 1992, the Business Department's Executive Advisory Board Faculty Contribution Award in 1996 and was appointed the Management Information Systems O'Bleness Professor in 1999 because of his exemplary leadership. He is a native of Hammond, Ind.

"This scholarship pleases me immensely because it will encourage future business students to excel in their degree programs," James Perotti said. "Valerie and I have always found pleasure in being part of the lives of students while attempting to help them reach their goals."

Valerie Slivka Perotti, a professor of management systems and assistant dean of undergraduate curriculum in the College of Business, began working at the university in 1967. The native of Philadelphia, Pa., is director of the Corporate Leadership Fellows Program and a founding member of "Business 20/20," a program that integrates the College of Business' core courses into a problem-solving, team-based learning community. She was one of the designers of the award-winning MBA Without Boundaries program and has won numerous awards for teaching excellence including the University Professor award, which is nominated and selected by students. She also is former director of the Center for International Business Education and Development.

"The scholarship was a complete surprise," Valerie Perotti said. "I like the fact that the scholarship is designed to provide access to opportunities for students. I wish all business students could have the same opportunities and challenges offered to select groups like the Copeland Scholars and Corporate Leadership Fellows."

The Perottis were presented the Dean's Special Recognition Award at this year's College of Business Annual Awards Banquet. The award is given annually to individuals whose level of performance has risen above the call of duty and whose comprehensive contributions to the college are too great to be included in categorized awards.

"There is nothing more important to us than the undergraduate teaching mission," Valerie Perotti said. "That our work has been understood and appreciated by our community is the most gratifying outcome of all these years of service."

To make a contribution to the Drs. James and Valerie Perotti Scholarship Endowment, contact the Ohio University Foundation at (740) 593-2636 or gifts@ohio.edu.