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Advancing
education
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Jeanette
Grasselli Brown |
Jeanette Grasselli Brown
does few things on a small scale.
When she arrived at Ohio University in 1946 as a freshman from Cleveland’s
inner city, she began a lifelong association that has produced one
of the University’s most ardent champions.
When she took a job with Standard Oil (later BP America) as a 23-year-old
chemist, she embarked on a 38-year career that led to her appointment
as director of corporate research, environmental and analytical
sciences, making her the oil giant’s highest-ranking female
employee.
So when she was named to the Ohio Board of Regents in 1995, there
was little doubt she would be a relentless advocate for the state’s
colleges and universities. In December, she was elected chair of
the nine-member board, which helps direct Ohio’s $2.6 billion
investment in higher education. While that’s quite a sum, Grasselli
Brown points out that Ohio ranks 40th in the nation in the amount
of state support it provides its colleges and universities.
“We have been trying very hard to raise public awareness that
higher education and economic prosperity are intimately tied,”
says Grasselli Brown, BS ’50, HON ’78. She also wants
to see more students enter science and technology fields, particularly
women and minorities.
“As an undergraduate, I was unique at the time,” the former
chemistry major says. “Women were not very accepted in the
field. I was not only accepted, I was encouraged, mentored and given
opportunities for undergraduate research.”
Grasselli Brown has repaid her debt to the University many times
over, serving on the Board of Trustees and The Ohio University Foundation
board, volunteering as director of research enhancement for six
years and providing monetary support for programming, scholarships
and other endeavors.
Given her track record, and considering that her term on the Ohio
Board of Regents extends until 2008, the state’s colleges and
universities are fortunate to have Grasselli Brown on their side.
Representing rural roots
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| John
Carey |
John Carey came to college
in the late 1970s from Jackson County. He left still deeply committed
to his rural region but better prepared to advance its causes in
the world.
The state representative says his time as a political science major
helped him acquire the internships and practical campaign experience
he needed to get his start in politics.
“Working on political campaigns as an intern was probably as
helpful as anything in terms of making contacts and pursuing my
political career,” adds Carey, AB ’81. “Ohio University
exposed me to a lot of viewpoints that I hadn’t witnessed or
heard before.”
After graduation, he began a seven-year tour as an aide to Congressman
Clarence Miller. In 1988, he was elected mayor of Wellston, Ohio.
Six years later, he became a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
As chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee, Carey is working
on issues of particular concern to his constituents.
Carey is pleased to have so many Ohio University graduates working
with him at the Statehouse.
“We have one of the strongest contingents in political circles
— certainly when you consider the powerful positions OU grads
hold,” he says.
Thinking on her feet
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| Teri
Geiger |
When Ohio Senate Chief
of Staff Teri Geiger faces tough decisions that require prompt resolution,
she leans on her training in Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps
School of Journalism.
“You have to think quickly and on your feet,” says Geiger,
BSJ ’86. “Knowing how to perform under pressure was one
of the benefits of journalism school.”
The Senate is “ever changing,” she says. “I can come
in in the morning expecting to have the whole day laid out, and
something else comes up. You never quite know what’s going
to be on your plate, and that’s exciting to me.”
Her plate has been full day after day for more than a decade. Geiger
came to the Senate as a press aide in 1987 and soon was promoted
to communications director. In 1996, she was named chief of staff
by Senate President Richard Finan.
Geiger’s job keeps her in touch with her alma mater almost
daily.
“I interact with OU alumni a lot — in the governor’s
office, in the House and in the Senate,” she says. “One
of our deputy press secretaries is from OU, and I’d be lying
if I said that didn’t make a difference in hiring her. The
OU network is very strong in state government.”
Jess Goode is a media specialist with University Media Services.
Mary Alice Casey is editor of Ohio Today.
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