News Archive | Ohio University

President M. Duane Nellis shares exciting news in Feb. 1 'First Fridays' letter

Photo courtesy of: University Communications and MarketingPresident M. Duane Nellis

Happy First Friday!

For generations, university researchers have sought answers to the questions that plague our society, and the contributions higher education has made to humanity are immeasurable in this regard.

My own academic research has focused on geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. I can remember carrying my early GPS equipment in a very large (and very heavy!) suitcase. Now, Google Maps and other web-based apps are carried in our pockets everywhere we go. We have seen so much progress in the field of GIS alone in such a short amount of time due to academic research, and I am proud of the contributions my students, my colleagues and I have made to that development.

At Ohio University, faculty mentorship is a huge component of the student experience. We are designated a “Doctoral University – High Research Activity” institution by theCarnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a reflection of the quality of research by our faculty and graduate students. More than half of our 6,000 graduate and medical students are involved in research-based degree programs. Ohio University research, scholarship and creative work also provides important learning opportunities for more than 2,000 undergraduate students.

Each February, Ohio University shows its appreciation for our student and faculty researchers by hosting a number of events. On February 21, we will host the annual Inventors Dinner to recognize faculty, staff and students “who engaged with the University’s Technology Transfer Office over the past year to commercialize their research findings, by protecting their intellectual property through the patent process.” It is during this annual Inventors Dinner that we award the prestigious Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship. The award is named for distinguished alumnus Wilfred Konneker, who was instrumental in advancing Ohio University’s entrepreneurial endeavors. Ohio University has awarded the Konneker Medal to 11 individuals, including the 2018 recipient, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus Dr. James Joye.

Ohio University has a successful track record in commercializing technologies. Ohio University inventors have received patents for discoveries in areas such as growth hormones and aging, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, avionics engineering, wound healing and superconductors. As of January 2019, Ohio University has a portfolio of 94 active issued U.S. patents and 174 active issued non-U.S. patents.

Also this month, we will host the annual Distinguished Professor Portrait Unveiling and Lecture. The Distinguished Professor Award recognizes outstanding scholarly and creative accomplishments and is the highest permanent recognition attainable by faculty at Ohio University. This year, we will honor Dr. Susan Burgess as the 2018 Distinguished Professor of Political Science with an event on February 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in Baker University Center Ballroom A.

We are also currently accepting nominations for the 2019 Distinguished Professor Award. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2019.

Ohio University research has led to ground-breaking, life-altering breakthroughs that have improved our human experience, and the evidence can be found all around us. Ohio University researchers are leading the way, searching each day for innovative solutions, and I look forward to celebrating their many accomplishments this month and beyond.

Cordially,

M. Duane Nellis
Ohio University President

News to use:

A reminder to graduate students: The deadline for nominations and applications of the Presidential Graduate Student Medals awards is February 20, 2019. Apply now!
Ohio University and the National Academy of Engineering announced the 2019 Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize award winners last month. Ohio University alumnus and esteemed engineer Fritz Russ, BSEE ’42, HON ’75, and his wife, Dolores Russ, established the biennial prize in 1999 with a multimillion-dollar gift to Ohio University. They modeled it after the Nobel Prize, with the goal of recognizing bioengineering achievements worldwide that are in widespread use.
Ohio University has once again been named one of the nation’s top military-friendly schools for the 2019-2020 school year by Viqtory Media, a veteran-owned company and publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine. We are the only other institution in Ohio to be ranked. This is the eighth year in a row OHIO has received the Military Friendly® designation.
Last month, Ohio University celebrated the renovation of Ellis Hall. Ellis Hall, which currently houses the English, Philosophy and Classics and World Religions departments, also now features key sustainability efforts and accessibility upgrades, among several other additions.
Four of Ohio University’s online master’s programs, as well as its overall online bachelor’s program, were ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report. The four master’s programs – business administration, education, engineering, and information technology – were ranked among the top 100 programs in the nation.
In an effort to grow corporate relationships, we have created a Corporate Engagement Task Force at Ohio University. The purpose of the task force is to achieve a culture change at OHIO that places greater value on corporate engagement.
For the second time in four years, Ohio University’s Collegiate Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has been selected as the 2019 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year. The award honors an MTNA chapter for its exceptional contributions to the music teaching profession. Congratulations!
Ohio University’s inaugural Challenging Dialogues for Contemporary Issues lecture was held January 24. Dr. Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Executive Director Emerita of the National Institute for Civil Discourseled the lecture on “The Power of In/Civility: Engaging in Challenging Conversations Across the University, Community and Nation.” Watch it here.

Published

February 1, 2019

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