The honorees are Joan "Jody" Galbreath Phillips, Edward "Ted" and Jean Sprague, Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ, and Leona Hughes. All were Ohio University graduates with the exception of Dolores Russ, an honorary alumna and beloved benefactor.

President Emeritus Charles Ping will offer opening remarks, and President Roderick J. McDavis will close the service. Professor of Music Richard Syracuse will open the service with a prelude and also perform a musical tribute.

Here's a glimpse at the honorees' contributions to Ohio University:

• Phillips, BSED '46, was a past chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees, a lifetime member of The Ohio University Foundation and a member of the Founders Circle of the Women in Philanthropy. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and was a generous supporter of Ohio Athletics, endowing scholarships in both areas. She passed away April 21, 2008. Ping and Debbie Phillips Bower, Phillips' daughter, will pay tribute to her at the memorial service.
  
  
  
  
• Ted Sprague, BS '41, and Jean Sprague, BA '99, were longtime residents of Athens and members of the Trustees Academy. Jean Sprague was a charter member and first president of The Athens Foundation; Ted Sprague was a former member of The Ohio University Foundation board. They gave to a wide variety of programs -- from academics to athletics. Jean Sprague died July 15, 2008, and Ted Sprague passed away Oct. 28, 2006. John Jones, an active alumnus and former member of the alumni board, will speak of the Spragues at the memorial.
  
  
  
  
• Fritz J. Russ, BSEE '42 and HON '75, and Dolores J. Russ, HON '99, were long-time benefactors of engineering education, and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology is named in their honor. They established the Russ Prize, one of the world's top engineering prizes, through an Ohio University endowment, and contributed to the Russ College and the university in a multitude of ways. Dolores Russ died Jan. 1, 2008, while Fritz Russ passed away Nov. 3, 2004. Russ College Dean Emeritus T. Richard Robe and Dean Dennis Irwin will share memories of the Russes at the service.
  
  
  
  
• Leona Hughes, BESD '30 and HON '01, spent 15 years on the Ohio University Alumni Association board, 11 of those as secretary. She was a former member of The Ohio University Foundation board, a member of the Founders Circle of the Women in Philanthropy and first recipient of the Women in Philanthropy Leona Hughes Inspiration Award. Her philanthropic interests were many and varied. Hughes passed away on July 24, 2008. Longtime friend Jean Axline and Bethany Jones, a former Hughes Cutler Scholar, will pay tribute to Hughes.

-- Casey S. Elliott