ATHENS, Ohio -- The Board of Directors of Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. (DHI) approved a $250,000 gift that will fund the DHI/Manasseh Cutler Scholars Awards at Ohio University. The gift, part of Ohio University's $200 million Bicentennial Campaign, will provide one student from Hocking, Morgan or Washington County with a full-tuition scholarship for four years of study at Ohio University. DHI draws many of its 80-plus employees from the school districts in these counties.
DHI's commitment will accomplish two goals, first "we wanted to contribute to enhancing a world-class educational program at Ohio University," said David Scholl, president and CEO of DHI.
Second, the company wanted to thank three inspirational leaders for their collective entrepreneurship in founding DHI: Ohio University President Emeritus Charles J. Ping, Ohio University alumnus and biomedical entrepreneur Will Konneker and Ohio University Professor of Microbiology Joseph Jollick. "In my view, our financial support of this prestigious program accomplished these goals the best," said Scholl.
Based on the Rhodes Scholars Program of Oxford University, the Cutler Scholars Program emphasizes the development of leadership potential and the reinforcement of civic responsibility for undergraduates. The scholarships are renewable for four years and provide full tuition, room and board, and a stipend for structured summer internships and study abroad.
DHI - the second corporation to fund a Cutler Scholarship, the first being USX, now Marathon Oil Corporation - is not new to the Cutler Scholars Program. In the past the company has provided internships for Cutler Scholars, especially for those with a scientific interest or major.
"In college, and especially at Ohio University, you have the opportunity to form so much about how you view yourself, your peers, your capabilities and how all of these impact your future aspirations - when that happens, it can be a difference maker!" said Scholl. "I hope DHI's commitment to the Cutler Scholar Program allows students to connect to their future dreams in a similar fashion. Then our employees would be a difference maker too!"
Named for Manasseh Cutler, one of the founders of Ohio University, the scholarship program began in 1996 with a pilot group of six scholars. There are 35 Cutler Scholars on campus this academic year.
"To be considered as a Cutler Scholar, one should be a serious academic student who demonstrates physical vigor and moral strength of character that is translated into scholastic pursuits and ultimately into community involvement," said Ping, executive director of the Manasseh Cutler Scholars Program.
The selection process for the DHI/Cutler Scholar will begin immediately. High schools in Washington, Morgan and Hocking counties will nominate outstanding students from their current junior classes. Nominees will then submit additional materials to Ohio University and a review committee will select finalists in fall 2003. The first DHI/Cutler Scholar will be chosen through an on-campus interview process and will arrive at Ohio University in fall 2004.
"We felt that the entire Cutler Scholar process of nominations and interviews would lift-up the educational expectations of the participating high schools and their applicants," said Scholl. "By combining DHI and the Cutler Scholar process, we hope to cultivate a more favorable impression and technology image for the southeast region of Ohio and for Ohio University's positive role in supporting the economic development transition into the New Economy where knowledge, and transforming that knowledge into successful products, can create and sustain economic growth and opportunities for our younger generation."
"Diagnostic Hybrids has demonstrated a continuous commitment to Ohio University and, more importantly, to its students," said Vice President of University Advancement Leonard Raley. "Through this Cutler Scholarship, the company and its board will create opportunities for outstanding young people in our region. I can't think of a better way to acknowledge the success of this Athens-based company or the value of an Ohio University education."
Founded in 1983, DHI is a privately held company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative cell culture products for various applications in diagnostic virology and endocrine disease. Identification of viruses, testing for autoimmune antibodies in Graves' Disease patients, and using genetic engineering for the development of novel cell-based assays and products are a few examples of the breadth of diagnostic and select therapeutic applications the company's products and technology reach.
The Bicentennial Campaign - which has raised more than $163 million toward its goal of raising $200 million in time for the university's bicentennial in 2004 - will provide money for scholarships, endowed professorships, technological enhancements, innovative programs, and selected capital improvements.
