Cornerstone MIAMI UNIVERSITY FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
DINING SERVICES RECOGNIZED FOR COMMITMENT TO ALLERGY-FRIENDLY DINING Bridget Maney Miami University Dining Services is gaining national recognition for its commitment to creating a safe, inclusive dining experience for students with food allergies and dietary needs. Julie Vasilak, senior registered dietitian, was recently featured by Allergic Living as one of four college food allergy champions working to help students with food allergies dine safely and confidently on campus. The article highlights Miami’s allergy-friendly dining options,
including Patio Grill and the Delicious Without stations, as well as the work of Vasilak and Registered Dietitian Kathy Adams to support students with dietary needs. Vasilak and Adams work directly with students to help them navigate dining on campus, understand available options, and develop strategies for managing food allergies and other dietary needs. Their work extends across Miami Dining, where the dining commons are nut-friendly, Delicious Without stations provide meals Continued on the following page…
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“Every student deserves to experience the fun of campus dining without fear.”
Julie Vasilak, M.A., RDN, LD (left), and Kathy Adams, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., RDN, LD (right).
prepared without the top nine major allergens, and Patio Grill offers an entirely dedicated allergen-friendly dining option. Together, these resources give students more choices while helping them participate in the campus dining experience with greater confidence. The recognition comes as Patio Grill has earned both Certified Free From™ (CFF) and Certified Gluten Free designations from MenuTrinfo®, a nationally recognized third-party food allergen certification organization. The certifications recognize Patio Grill’s commitment to providing students and guests with a dining experience free from the top nine major food allergens and gluten. To earn the designations, Patio Grill underwent a rigorous independent audit examining practices throughout the operation, from ingredient sourcing and receiving to food preparation, service, and sanitation. Achieving certification required dedicated equipment, strict ingredient controls, supplier verification, and specialized allergen and food safety training for team members. Patio Grill will also undergo annual recertification audits to ensure continued compliance.
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Since opening in the fall 2025, Patio Grill has become an increasingly popular option for students. During fall 2026, the location is averaging 228 orders per day. Its highest single-day order volume has increased 200% in just six months, from 154 orders during its first month of operation to 461 orders in a single day. The certification and national recognition reflect the collaboration and attention to detail happening across Miami Dining to meet the evolving needs of students and create an environment where everyone can dine with greater confidence. As Vasilak shared with Allergic Living, “Every student deserves to experience the fun of campus dining without fear.” Read more about Julie and Miami Dining’s efforts in Allergic Living: “4 College Champions on a Mission to See Allergic Students Thrive.”
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HOLIDAY SAVINGS START NOW! With the holiday season just around the corner, there is no better time to take advantage of your 15% staff discount*! Head over to Brick & Ivy or shop online at CampusStore. MiamiOH.edu for all the latest Miami gear. Whether you’re getting a jump start on holiday shopping, stocking up on winter essentials, or gearing up for game day, your staff discount has you covered. When shopping online, simply log in to your MyMiami account, and your discount will apply automatically at checkout. Prefer to shop in-store? Just present your staff ID at checkout to receive your savings. Let your employee perks work for you this season! *Exclusions may apply. See store for details. SHOP NOW
MAKE AN IMPACT THROUGH MIAMI’S CHARITABLE GIVING CAMPAIGN Miami University’s annual Charitable Giving Campaign runs Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, offering faculty and staff an opportunity to support the local community through Butler County United Way and Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. In Butler County, 13% of households live below the poverty line, while another 23% are considered ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These individuals and families earn above the threshold for many forms of assistance but still struggle to afford essentials such as housing, food, childcare, transportation, and health care. Butler County United Way has served the local community for more than 100 years, focusing on health,
youth opportunity, financial security, and community resilience. Its work supporting ALICE households helps local families achieve greater stability while strengthening the Butler County community. Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati supports organizations focused on social and economic justice, environmental causes, and animal welfare throughout the region. For nearly 30 years, the organization has worked to create a more just, equitable, and healthy community. Miami employees are encouraged to learn more about this year’s Charitable Giving Campaign and consider supporting the organizations and causes that matter most to them.
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SERVING THE GREATER GOOD (AND GOOD FOOD) Erin Wadzinski Scott Rouse continues to spread joy throughout Miami Dining as he celebrates his 15th anniversary on campus. For years, seeing his signature hearse parked outside the dining commons has let students know they’re in for a killer meal. He began his time in catering in 2012 before moving on to assist with the openings of Armstrong Student Center and several dining commons. He now works as an executive chef responsible for the culinary side of Garden Dining Commons and the Patio Grill menu. Scott cares deeply about Patio Grill’s mission to provide students with delicious, allergy-friendly foods. With food allergies on the rise, it is now more important than ever to ensure students can access safe foods. One former student who struggled with dietary restrictions left a special impact on Scott. Upon graduation, the student wrote a heartfelt thank-you note for accommodating his dietary needs. Scott still keeps the note in his office. “One of his biggest life fears was going to college with all of his food allergies,” said Scott. “To know that he felt safe and could come in and eat and just have the college experience without worrying about that was really powerful.”
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The students are Scott’s favorite part of his job. “It’s a blast to see students come in and know that they’re just stopping in for breakfast. But at the same time, it’s an important piece of social interaction. I just want students to be able to go and get something that may make them feel a little better and to know we’re contributing to that.” Scott enjoys giving back to others outside of work, as well. He serves as the agency liaison for the state of Kentucky and is a full-patch member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. There, he serves as a primary contact for two children, referred to as heroes by the organization, who can reach out to him for support. He also recently facilitated a 12-step SMART Recovery program for teens rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy. A true jack of all trades, Scott also assists with teaching scuba diving classes at the Rec. A vibrant tattoo sleeve on his right arm showcases sea creatures from his dives. Scott’s favorite quote reflects his willingness to try new things. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” he said. “If you’re not pushing yourself, you’re not learning.”
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LEARN, CONNECT, AND CELEBRATE WITH THE MYAAMIA CENTER Bridget Maney Miami staff have several opportunities this fall to learn more about the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, its history, and its unique relationship with Miami University. Staff Development recently partnered with the Myaamia Center to offer Neepwaantiinki ‘Learning from Each Other’: The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University, a course exploring the history of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the longstanding relationship between the Tribe and university. Neepwaantiinki, meaning “learning from each other,” describes the foundation of the reciprocal relationship between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University. There are still four opportunities to participate in the course this semester: Oct. 23, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, and Nov. 20. Register in Workday Learning.
CELEBRATE THE MIAMI TRIBE AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIP The opportunities continue during Celebrating Miami: Tribe and University, Oct. 30-Nov. 4. Each fall, the Myaamia Center and Miami Athletics partner to celebrate the relationship between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University. This year’s celebration is particularly special as the university community also recognizes the 25th anniversary of the Myaamia Center. Miami Tribe of Oklahoma leadership will travel to Oxford for a week of events, beginning with the Myaamia Center 25th Anniversary Celebration Stomp Dance on Friday, Oct. 30. Other events include Myaamia historical narratives at King Library, special recognition during Miami Athletics events, and opportunities to learn more about Myaamia culture and the Tribe-University relationship. Dining Services will join the celebration with its biannual miicitaawi myaamia miicioni - Let’s Eat Myaamia Food - Fall ’26 lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Western Dining Commons. The event gives the Miami community an opportunity to experience Myaamia food while continuing to learn about Myaamia history and culture.
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FOOTBALL TEAM LENDS A HAND FOR MOVE-IN WEEKEND Bridget Maney Miami’s football team once again helped prepare to welcome thousands of students and families to campus for fall move-in. Ahead of move-in weekend, members of the team helped stock hydration stations located throughout campus, ensuring cold water was readily available for students, families, and volunteers during a busy few days of unloading and unpacking. This fall, approximately 4,200 new first-year students and 140 new transfer students moved into on-campus housing. With thousands of students and their families arriving in Oxford, keeping hydration stations stocked is an important part of creating a welcoming move-in experience. Thank you to Miami Football for pitching in and helping our newest RedHawks feel at home from the moment they arrived on campus. Their efforts were part of a much larger campus-wide collaboration, with employees and volunteers from departments across Miami lending a hand throughout move-in weekend. From preparing campus and welcoming families to helping students get settled, it takes a community to make move-in a success.
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BRING YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION TO MIAMI Paula Green Are you involved in a professional association that hosts conferences, meetings, or other events? The next one could be at Miami. Bringing your professional organization to campus can create opportunities that extend well beyond the event itself. From showcasing Miami to connecting students and colleagues with professionals in their fields, hosting an association can benefit the university, attendees, and the Oxford community. And you don’t have to take on the planning alone. Miami’s Conference and Event Services (CES) team can help bring the pieces together. Here are five reasons to consider bringing your professional association to Miami.
1. SHOWCASE MIAMI’S EXPERTISE Hosting a professional association puts Miami, its people, and its resources in front of colleagues from around the world. That was a major motivation for Daniel Meyers, director of Miami University’s Interactive Language Resource Center, when he brought the 43rd annual Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium (CALICO) Conference to Miami in July.
3. STRENGTHEN PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS AND COLLABORATION Conferences create opportunities to exchange ideas, discover shared interests, and build relationships both inside and outside scheduled sessions. CALICO attendees specifically highlighted The Marcum Hotel & Conference Center’s environment for making those connections. One attendee noted that the presentation rooms connected to the lobby, making the setup “perfect for networking and informal chats.” Another praised “the convenience of meeting, eating, and hotel.”
4. BRING VISITORS AND BUSINESS TO CAMPUS AND OXFORD Professional conferences bring people to Miami who may otherwise never have an opportunity to experience the university or Oxford. CALICO welcomed 151 in-person participants to campus for its five-day conference. Attendees used The Marcum Hotel & Conference Center and Farmer School of Business for conference activities, with events ranging from workshops and presentations to receptions and social gatherings.
“I mainly wanted to host CALICO at Miami to give the membership an idea of what Miami has to offer its students — to boost Miami’s profile on the international stage,” Meyers said.
Visitors also have opportunities to stay, dine, shop, and explore while they are here, extending the impact of an event beyond its meeting rooms.
The interdisciplinary conference allowed Miami to highlight connections among world languages, technology, computer science, business, communications, artificial intelligence, and other fields.
Hosting gives attendees a firsthand look at Miami that they can’t get from a website or brochure.
2. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS Bringing a professional organization to campus also brings professional networks closer to Miami students. Hosting can give students opportunities to attend sessions, present their work, volunteer, and connect with professionals without the travel costs typically associated with national or international conferences. CALICO, for example, included both paid student attendees and students participating through work-exchange opportunities.
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5. LET ATTENDEES EXPERIENCE MIAMI
“The overall organization. Well done! The Marcum was a nice venue for both the conference and hotel,” one CALICO attendee shared. Another described the proximity of accommodations and conference spaces as “ideal” and Miami’s campus as “quiet/scenic.” For Meyers, that experience was an important part of hosting CALICO. “I wanted to host CALICO to bring the organization’s members, especially the international members, to Ohio and to show what makes Miami University special and unique to the world,” he said.
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YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE Hosting a professional conference can be a major undertaking. Planning for CALICO began years before attendees arrived in Oxford and included meeting spaces, accommodations, catering, technology, transportation, signage, programming, and more. As the leader of a one-person department, Meyers relied on Conference and Event Services and other university partners to help navigate the logistics. Aaron Pergram experienced that same support while hosting the 2026 International Double Reed Society Conference. “Partnering with Paula Green and the CES team was rewarding,” Pergram said. “Paula took the heavy operational burden off our shoulders, navigating residence hall accommodations, campus dining integration, precise venue scheduling, and daily on-site troubleshooting.” “For any Miami faculty, staff member, or department considering hosting their professional association on campus: you do not have to do it alone!” Pergram said. “CES has the deep campus expertise, vendor connections, and dedicated staff needed to run major conferences flawlessly without burning out host departments.” For Paula Green, senior director of Conference and Event Services, that support is central to the team’s mission. “Assisting Miami faculty and staff bring their professional affiliations to campus is rewarding work for my entire team,” Green said. “Joining efforts to highlight Miami and advance education in this specific form fits our mission perfectly.”
COULD YOUR ASSOCIATION MEET AT MIAMI? You don’t need to have all the details figured out to start the conversation. If you’re involved with a professional association, organization, or group that hosts conferences or meetings, Conference and Event Services can help you explore what bringing that event to Miami could look like. From accommodations, dining, and meeting spaces to technology and campus logistics, CES can help connect the pieces, giving you more time to focus on your organization, your colleagues, and the experience you want to create. Interested in bringing your professional association to Miami? Contact Conference and Event Services to start the conversation.
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HIT THE ICE AT GOGGIN THIS WINTER Kat Solmos Looking for a way to get moving, take a break from the workday, or enjoy some time on the ice? Goggin Ice Center is offering public skating opportunities throughout the fall and winter, including free noon skates for benefit-eligible Miami faculty and staff.
Thanksgiving Holiday Skate: Nov. 25-29, 3:15-5 p.m. Goggin will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. Admission is $8, with free skate rental.
FREE FRIDAY NOON SKATES
Try Ice Skating for Free Day: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2-3 p.m. Skate rental is free.
Benefit-eligible faculty and staff can skate for free during Goggin’s Friday noon skates, held from 12:10-1:10 p.m. through April 16. Skate rental is also free.
Skate with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 19, 3:15-5 p.m. Admission is $8, with free skate rental.
Noon skates are open to all ages. Admission for other guests is $3.50.
WEEKEND PUBLIC SKATING Public skating sessions run through March 14 and are open to all ages: • •
Fridays, 7-8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 3:15-5 p.m.
Admission is $9.25, and skate rental is $3.50.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY SKATES Goggin also has several special skating opportunities planned throughout the holiday season.
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Holiday Ice Skating: Dec. 21-Jan. 3, 3:15-5 p.m. Admission is $8, with free skate rental. Goggin will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1.
REGISTER BEFORE YOU SKATE All skating sessions now require online registration before arrival. The new process helps streamline checkin, manage capacity, and provide a smoother experience for guests. Register at MiamiOH.edu/PublicSkating and check the website before your visit for the latest schedule updates and closures.
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2027 OPEN ENROLLMENT IS UNDERWAY Miami’s 2027 Open Enrollment is underway! Benefiteligible employees have through Friday, Oct. 30, to review their benefits and make elections for the 2027 plan year. Changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027. If you do not make benefit changes during the 2026 open enrollment period, your current medical, dental, and vision benefits will continue in 2027. Voluntary Life, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions must be elected during open enrollment, the 2026 contributions cannot be automatically rolled over for 2027.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2027? Employees will see some changes for the upcoming plan year, including Lincoln Financial as the new vendor for life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D),
and disability coverage. Employees can also elect up to $250,000 in voluntary life insurance coverage for a spouse, provided they are enrolled in voluntary life insurance for themselves.
READY TO ENROLL?
Log in to Workday and look for Open Enrollment 2027 under Awaiting Your Action, or access it through My Tasks. Before submitting your elections, review the 2027 Open Enrollment website for information about medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, and other benefits. Don’t wait until the last minute — Open Enrollment ends Friday, Oct. 30.
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NEW RECREATION FIELDS COMPLETE Rhett Butler The construction of new recreation areas at Millett and Chestnut Fields has been completed. The Chestnut Fields will serve primarily as intramural sports fields for a variety of sports, while the recreation site at Millett includes new pickleball courts, a basketball court, a dog park/service dog park, and outdoor exercise equipment areas. These new amenities will service the students, faculty/staff, as well as the community. A special thank you to Scott Kissell and UCM for their photography of the new spaces!
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MILLETT FEATURES •
Synthetic turf multi-use intramural soccer and flag football fields
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Walking path
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Exercise stations
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Dog park and a service dog park
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Six pickleball courts
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Two tennis courts
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Basketball court
CHESTNUT FEATURES •
Two full-size soccer fields
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Two softball fields
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Three flag football fields
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FARMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS COMMUNITY WALL GRAPHIC FBS Marketing partnered with the Farmer School of Business (FSB) to create a new environmental graphic in the FSB Advising Office (Room 1022) that showcases the ways students connect, engage, and build community throughout their time at Farmer.
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The graphic highlights key experiences, including the Farmer’s First-Year Innovation Center (FYIC), student organizations and fraternities, study abroad, and career preparation. Featured on campus tours, the wall takes visitors on a visual journey through the FSB student experience — from their first year and the opportunities that shape their time at Miami to graduation and landing their first job.
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MEET THE STUDENTS BEHIND THE CONTENT Holli Hawkins and Bridget Maney If you follow Miami Dining, Miami Rec Sports, Goggin Ice Center, Event Services, or The Marcum Hotel on social media, there’s a good chance the content you’re seeing was created by a student. FBS Marketing’s student content creator team helps bring our clients to life through photography, short-form videos, tiny mic interviews, event coverage, student takeovers, graphics, and more. Meet our student content creators: Allison Albert Grace Carroll • Avery Dicken • Reagan McIntyre • Kennedy O’Daniel • Madison Repass (not pictured) • Belle Travis • •
In fact, approximately 60% of the content posted across these accounts is created by the student content creators.
BRINGING A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
CREATING CONTENT AND BUILDING SKILLS
One of the team’s greatest strengths is something that can’t be replicated: They know what it’s like to be a Miami student because they’re living the experience themselves.
While their work has become an important part of FBS Marketing’s digital presence, the experience also gives the students an opportunity to develop skills they can take with them beyond Miami.
That firsthand perspective helps FBS Marketing and its clients stay connected to what students are experiencing, talking about, and interested in. Whether they’re covering an event, highlighting a dining location, or jumping on a social media trend, the content creators bring a perspective that is genuine and relatable to their peers. Their work also reaches beyond current students, helping prospective students, faculty, staff, and members of the Oxford community get a glimpse of the people, places, and experiences that make each client unique. Each piece of content serves a purpose — whether it’s telling a story, celebrating an accomplishment, promoting an opportunity, or simply giving followers a look at what’s happening around Miami.
Through their work, the content creators gain hands-on experience in storytelling, photography, videography, interviewing, editing, social media strategy, branding, public speaking, and communication. They also learn how to meet deadlines, collaborate with clients and teammates, respond to feedback, and create content for real audiences. The student content creator program is about more than producing social media posts. It gives students a meaningful role in telling our clients’ stories while providing an outlet to use their creativity and grow as professionals. The result is a collaboration that benefits everyone: Students gain hands-on experience and a creative outlet, while FBS Marketing and its clients gain authentic student voices that help tell their stories and connect with the Miami community.
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NEW MEMBERS AT THE REC CENTER Rhett Butler The Rec has a variety of new faces this semester. Let’s meet some of them!
TYLER FICKLE
LILLIAN FREEMAN
JOEY ROSE
I grew up in Erie, Pa., where I once got a foot of snow overnight! I then moved three hours south to Indiana, Pa., where I earned a master’s in sport management and a bachelor’s in sport administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I have several years of experience in aquatics and pool management. Outside of work, I am a sports fan. I spend a lot of time studying stats, trends, history, and random trivia.
I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in motion picture science. I moved to Ohio from Rochester, New York, with my cat. I enjoy baking and doing craft projects in my spare time. I have been swimming since I can remember, working as a lifeguard since I was 15, and working as a swim instructor since I was 18. I have been serious about planning my entire life and am looking forward to the new challenges of my position!
I grew up in Springboro, Ohio, before moving to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina, where I competed as a Division I equestrian studentathlete. While there, I studied sport and entertainment management and went on to earn both a master’s in sport and entertainment management and a Master of Business Administration. Horses have been a lifelong passion of mine, and I have had the opportunity to ride and work for some of the top trainers in the country. Outside of work and the barn, I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring with my dog, Turbo.
Assistant Aquatics Director for Lifeguard Programs
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Assistant Director of Events and Programs
Assistant Director of Riding
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WHAT’S MIAMI EATING? THE TOP 10 CAMPUS DINING FAVORITES Bridget Maney Ever wonder what everyone else is ordering on campus?
Try One and Save 10%
From build-your-own pasta and pizza to burgers, burritos, and more, we pulled the top-selling food items from Miami’s retail dining locations so you know what to try the next time you’re grabbing lunch on campus.
Miami faculty and staff can receive 10% off eligible Grubhub orders at participating on-campus dining locations.
Here are the top 10: Build-Your-Own Pasta - Ciao Bella Southwest Bowl - Southwest Express • Quesadilla - Southwest Express • Build-Your-Own Bowl - Athenian Grill • Build-Your-Own Personal Pizza - Ciao Bella • Quarter Pound Smash Burger - Tower Grill • Mac and Cheese Bites - Tower Grill • Chicken Tenders - Tower Grill • Crispy Chicken Wrap - MacCracken Grill • Southwest Burrito - Southwest Express • •
To get the discount, open the Grubhub app and go to Account > Campus Dining > I am faculty/staff. Once your faculty/staff status is selected, the discount will be applied to eligible orders. The 10% discount excludes Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, and Starbucks. And don’t forget: faculty and staff can also dine at Miami’s dining commons for just $8.99 by showing their Miami ID at checkout.
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WORKDAY STUDENT: WHAT’S AHEAD Sarah Persinger The next evolution of Workday is coming to Miami University. As we prepare for student-facing functionality to roll out, we want to share several important milestones planned throughout the 2026-2027 academic year. DECEMBER 2026 Course Scheduling Begins Department schedulers will create the Fall 2027 course schedule in Workday. JANUARY-MARCH 2027 Training and Preparation Academic advisors and faculty advisors will receive training to support Fall 2027 course registration in Workday. Students will be provided with training resources and guidance for course registration. Faculty and instructors will receive training on viewing assigned course sections and class rosters in Workday.
APRIL 2027 Student Registration Goes Live Continuing students will register for Fall 2027 courses in Workday. MAY 2027 Financial Processes Training Relevant support staff will receive training to prepare for student financial processes in Workday. JULY 2027 Student Financial Access Launches Students will access financial balances, pay tuition bills, and enroll in payment plans through Workday. FALL 2027 Workday Becomes Miami’s System of Record The university’s transition to Workday will be complete, and Workday will serve as the official system of record moving forward. Stay Informed Visit the Workday Info website for project updates and information on how you can prepare for the transition.
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TRANSFORMING BILLINGS HALL INTO ONE OF MIAMI’S MOST INNOVATIVE ENERGY FACILITIES Susan Meikle The two-year project to convert the North Chiller Plant at Billings Hall into Miami University’s second geothermal plant was completed earlier this summer. The project began in summer 2024 with the drilling of 520 geothermal wells, each 850 feet deep, under the south lawn of Millett Hall. Today, the North Geothermal Plant provides efficient heating and cooling to approximately 25 buildings across the north side of campus, representing about 27% of the current campus building gross square footage.
FROM NATATORIUM TO GEOTHERMAL PLANT Billings Hall was built in 1955 as Miami’s natatorium and held its last swim meet in 1994. Today, it has been transformed into one of the most innovative energy facilities on campus. In 2016, the building was converted into the North Chiller Plant, supporting the conversion of North Quad buildings from steam heating and cooling to more energy-efficient heating hot water. The latest transformation into the North Geothermal Plant eliminates more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually — comparable to the emissions of more than 1,300 gas-powered cars. The project is part of the Miami 2040 Climate Action Plan and contributes to the university’s efforts to decarbonize the Oxford campus.
HOW DOES IT WORK? During the summer, heat removed from campus buildings can now be captured and transferred into the campus heating hot water system rather than being released into the atmosphere. When that heat isn’t immediately needed, it can be stored underground in the geothermal wellfield and recovered during the heating season.
MORE ENERGY INNOVATION AT MIAMI The North Geothermal Plant is one piece of Miami’s larger efforts to transform its energy systems. The Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park, adjacent to the Western Geothermal Plant, includes the Western Solar North and South arrays. Together, their 3,336 solar panels produce more than 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. Western Solar North sits above the Western Geothermal Wellfield, making it the first co-located solar and geothermal project on a college campus. Since 2008, Miami has reduced energy-based carbon emissions by more than 50% and realized more than $125 million in accumulated cost savings from building improvements, conservation efforts, and energy systems conversions through 2025.
This article was originally published in Miami Matters on Aug. 12, 2026. It has been edited for length. Read the original story in Miami News.
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Q-AND-A WITH VINCE WEATHERSTEIN, MIAMI’S DIRECTOR OF ENERGY SYSTEMS Susan Meikle Vince Weatherstein, director of energy systems, joined Miami last fall. Since then, he has overseen the completion of the Western Solar North and Western Solar South arrays in the new Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park, as well as the North Geothermal Plant. Prior to Miami, Weatherstein served as director of Energy Management at Ohio University and spent about 13 years in the energy industry before moving into higher education and district energy systems. Miami is committed to decarbonizing its Oxford campus and reaching carbon neutrality by 2040. Weatherstein and his team play an important role in that work while maintaining the infrastructure that keeps campus running every day. Learn more about Weatherstein, Miami’s energy systems, and what’s ahead. What drew you to this position at Miami? Weatherstein: The opportunity to lead a diverse and complex utility portfolio while making a meaningful impact on the university’s long-term energy strategy. Miami has demonstrated a commitment to reliability, sustainability, and infrastructure investment through initiatives such as geothermal expansion, renewable energy projects, and utility modernization. Most importantly, I saw an opportunity to build a strong team, improve reliability and efficiency, and help position the university for future energy challenges. Being able to contribute to an institution whose mission is education while leading critical infrastructure that supports students, faculty, and staff made the role particularly appealing.
What would you like the Miami community to know about energy systems on campus? Weatherstein: The energy systems that support campus don’t happen by accident. The heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, electricity, hot water, and the infrastructure that supports research and learning are all the result of decades of planning, investment, and dedicated work by many individuals. Much of what we do is intentionally invisible. When our systems are operating as designed, most people never think about them, and that’s actually a sign of success. Behind the scenes, there are teams of professionals operating and maintaining hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of critical infrastructure 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The decisions being made today are not just for the next year or two; they are investments that will impact the campus for decades. Our goal is to provide safe, reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy systems that support Miami’s mission while being responsible stewards of the university’s resources.
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What are some upcoming projects toward decarbonizing our Oxford campus energy systems?
What is one of your favorite things about working at Miami?
Weatherstein: One of the most impactful upcoming initiatives is the continued conversion of the campus heating distribution system from steam to heating hot water (HHW). This transition improves overall system efficiency, reduces distribution losses, lowers maintenance requirements, and creates opportunities to integrate renewable and low-carbon heating technologies in the future. Several buildings, including Armstrong Student Center, Warfield Hall, and MacMillan Hall, are currently being converted as part of this effort.
Weatherstein: One of my favorite things about working at Miami is the opportunity to make a visible impact on the campus every day. Energy systems are often behind the scenes, but they are critical to everything the university does. Whether it’s providing heat during the winter, cooling during the summer, supporting research laboratories, or ensuring students have a comfortable place to learn and live, our work touches every part of the campus.
We are also advancing plans to expand our geothermal infrastructure to support future campus growth. As new facilities are planned, energy systems are being evaluated early in the design process to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
Most importantly, I enjoy working with the people. We have a highly skilled team with decades of experience, and there is a strong sense of pride in what we do. Watching the team solve problems, adapt to new technologies, and continue improving our systems is extremely rewarding.
This Q-and-A was originally published in Miami Matters on July 2, 2026. It has been edited for length. Read the full Q-and-A in Miami News.
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CONCESSIONS RECOGNIZED WITH ICA AWARD Geno Svec Tina Rotundo, Ginger Newman, Herman Smith, and Tracy Agee of Concessions were recognized as Intercollegiate Athletics’ 2025-26 Teammates of the Year. The annual award recognizes an individual or group for their tremendous support of ICA throughout the academic year. Tina, Ginger, Herman, and Tracy were selected for their outstanding support and contributions to ICA and were recognized during the all-staff meeting on Aug. 24.
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Western Dining Team Western Dining Commons A huge thank you to the "bestern" dining team on campus! So proud of everything this team does every day to improve and provide the best experience for our guests. Thank you for another strong opening. We are looking forward to another great year! — Christopher Pioske Strategic Communications Committee Office of Human Resources Management Shoutout to our new Strategic Communications Committee, including Kari Baker-Shaw, Gary Barnes, John Buchholz, Krista Clinebell, Betsy Kreger, Ann Littke, April Turner, Ali McGrath, and Lisa Riendeau! They're working hard to drive proactive, cohesive, and strategic communications across OHRM to keep the university community up to date regarding all things human capital. Thank you for connecting our team and elevating our message!
Kathy Crowley FBS Marketing
— Lauran Franklin
Accounts Payable and General Accounting Controller Office
FBS IT Team and Allen Sizemore FBS IT The Miami University Police Department would like to recognize FBS IT and Allen Sizemore for their technical leadership and tireless efforts in modernizing our dispatch center. Allen has been instrumental in getting the core technology up and running during the Miami University Police Dispatch Center renovation, ensuring our dispatchers have the reliable tools they need to maintain campus safety. His technical expertise allowed the seamless integration of critical systems with minimal disruption to daily operations. Allen is currently driving two major technological advancements for the department: the installation of a state-of-the-art video wall and an integrated campus camera map using the Milestone Video Management System. These complex upgrades will significantly improve situational awareness and response capabilities for our officers. Thank you, Allen, for your ongoing dedication, problemsolving skills, and commitment to keeping Miami University safe and secure. — Walt Schneider
Congratulations to Kathy Crowley on 20 years of service to Miami and her upcoming retirement! We are grateful for everything you’ve done for FBS Marketing and Miami over the years. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter and a wonderful retirement! — FBS Marketing Team
Great job, Accounts Payable and General Accounting, on a year-end close well executed! Thank you for executing your own work well while also training new staff. — Holly Sheehy Walt Schneider MUPD Shoutout to Miami Emergency Manager Walt Schneider for his diligent work in getting the RedHawk Safe app up and running. Walt has spent many hours working with numerous departments on and off campus ironing out the fine details to make the app the great tool that it has become. The RedHawk Safe app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play using the keywords "RedHawk Safe App." Some of the key features of the app can be found here: RedHawk Safe app information — Captain James Bechtolt Ainsley Phillips Athletics Shoutout to Ainsley Phillips for being such a tremendous help in making our summer athletic camps a success! Ainsley supported seven athletic camps, bringing dedication, flexibility, and a positive attitude every step of the way. Thank you for all you do! — Amber Stum
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