OHIO to honor life, legacy of George and Janet Voinovich through honorary tree planting later this year

Ohio University alumnus George V. Voinovich, BA ’58, and his wife Janet, Honorary ’91, will be honored with a new grove of their favorite tree — the Eastern Redbud — outside the main building of OHIO's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at The Ridges later this year. 

George Voinovich attended OHIO from 1954 to 1958 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. He went on to hold numerous elected offices, including lieutenant governor, mayor of Cleveland, governor and U.S. Senator. He was OHIO’s Undergraduate Commencement speaker in 1991; Janet Voinovich received her honorary degree at that time as well.  The Voinovich School was named in his honor in 2007. He passed away in 2016.

The George and Janet Voinovich Redbud Grove was the brainchild of Ohio University Board of Trustees Chair Matt Evans, BA ’93 and Voinovich School Executive-in-Residence Scott Milburn, BSJ ’91, both of whom worked for George Voinovich during his public service career. Both will also be covering all costs associated with the grove installation. 

“It’s well known how much the Voinovich’s loved OU and all they did over the years to advance the University, but they also loved Athens and Appalachia,” said OHIO Board of Trustees Chair Evans. “One of the things they loved were the Redbuds that cover the hills in the early spring, and they would often schedule trips to Athens then to enjoy them. When Scott and I were remembering that recently, we knew this would be a special way to celebrate them and their shared love of Southeast Ohio’s natural beauty.” 

The grove’s 10 Eastern Redbud trees will be planted in the coming months and marked by a plaque honoring the Voinovich family. 

Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are native to the southern part of the state, thriving in the forest understory and woodland edges. Their characteristic pink blossoms emerge in the Spring prior to their leaves and before the foliage of many other trees and bushes, making them easy to spot and a popular harbinger of the change in seasons.