ATHENS, Ohio (Oct. 22, 2004) -- Today at its monthly luncheon, The Ohio University Emeriti Association presented The Ohio University Foundation with a $1,000 check to support the Emeriti Park Endowment. Presenting the check were Association President Bob Hynes, director emeritus of auxiliary services; and Emeriti Park Committee Chair Max Evans, professor emeritus of applied behavioral science and educational leadership. According to Evans, the Emeriti executive group hopes that this gift will "prime the pump" for future giving to the endowment fund.
"Ohio University sincerely appreciates the leadership and commitment of our emeriti faculty and staff to the establishment and ongoing support of Emeriti Park," said Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley. "The pristinely maintained park is a fitting tribute to those who have dedicated their careers to the teaching of young people and to Ohio University's mission."
Emeriti Park - dedicated in November 2000 - honors Ohio University's distinguished former faculty and staff and recognizes the impact that they have had on the university. The four-acre site on South Green includes a pond, flowerbeds, benches, trees, fountains, a waterfall and, its most recent addition, the North Overlook. Under the leadership of Gary Schumacher, professor emeritus of psychology, members of the Emeriti Association actively volunteer to help with the upkeep of the park.
"The park is important to us in the Emeriti group," said Hynes. "Many have worked very hard and given their time and resources to provide a park that's attractive, lovely, and important to the institution."
Also attending the luncheon were Facilities Management staff. "This is a highly motivated (grounds) staff, and we see the results every day on campus," said Director of Grounds, Recycling and Refuse Mark Whitney. "Our mission is to create and maintain a safe and attractive environment for work, study and play. For years Chuck Culp (director emeritus of the Physical Plant) had a vision to put a pond in the Oxbow drainage ditch. It took the Emeriti Association to see this park develop. It has become the premier, signature landscape area on campus."
The Emeriti Park Endowment will provide for the park's ongoing maintenance and replacement needs and is supported by members of the Emeriti Association as well as by current Ohio University faculty and staff. Already, nearly $30,000 has been committed to the endowment, and the Emeriti are actively seeking additional contributions.
To make a gift to the Emeriti Park Endowment, contact The Ohio University Foundation at 800-592-FUND or giving@ohio.edu. Checks may be made payable to The Ohio University Foundation (be sure to write "Emeriti Park Endowment" in the notes section) and send to the foundation at P.O. Drawer 869, Athens, Ohio 45701. Gifts also can be made online at www.ohio.edu/give.
The Ohio University Emeriti Association is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide an opportunity for former active members of the Ohio University faculty and staff to continue their acquaintance and social contacts with the University.
The Ohio University Foundation is the repository for all private gifts through annual giving programs, capital, and special campaigns and planned or deferred gifts. The Foundation is an institutionally related, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501c(3) organization.
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Media Contact: Director of Development Communication Jennifer Bowie, (740) 597-2987
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www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/EMERITI01.JPG
Emeriti Park Committee Chair Max Evans presents the Emeriti Association's $1,000 check to Andrea McKinty, associate director of Annual Giving, who accepted the gift on behalf of The Ohio University Foundation. www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/EMERITI02.JPG
On behalf of The Ohio University Foundation, Associate Director of Annual Giving Andrea McKinty accepts the Emeriti Association's $1,000 check from Emeriti Park Committee Chair Max Evans.
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