11/14/96 Contact: Eric Wagner, 614/593-1367

ATHENS, Ohio -- Eric Wagner, professor of sociology and chairman of Ohio University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, has been named winner of the 1996 Fuerst Award for Outstanding Community Leadership by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives for a 20-county area of Central and Southeastern Ohio.

The award, designed to honor philanthropic efforts, was made by the group's Hills of Ohio Chapter. Wagner will be honored at an awards banquet Tuesday (Nov. 19), National Philanthropy Day, in Dresden.

Wagner, who joined the Ohio University faculty as an instructor of sociology in 1968, has contributed $250,000 in gifts and commitments to the university, including pledges for campus beautification, athletics, scholarships, and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

He chaired the faculty-staff fund drive for the university's Third Century Campaign that raised $3.8 million and surpassed the campaign goal by $2.8 million. The Third Century Campaign, the largest fund-raising effort in campus history, raised more than $132 million and was completed in December 1993. Wagner also was recently appointed chairman of a new annual faculty-staff fund-raising campaign at the university.

Two other individuals and the Outstanding Business Award Winner, The Longaberger Co., also will be honored at the banquet in Dresden.