Winter 2019 Issue 2
1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University
A Spirit of Innovation » In the classroom » In the community » In the workplace » In the world
contents features 2 Innovation through Partnerships ODU is partnering with peer institutions to develop accelerated programs that allow students to pursue their passions while reducing overall cost. 4 Smart Columbus Partners with ODU to Enhance Campus Sustainability and Safety Ohio Dominican is leveraging its outstanding location and corporate relationships to make environmentally friendly enhancements that benefit the entire campus community. 7 Contemplata – Faculty Perspective: A History and Tradition of Innovation For over 100 years, innovation has been a hallmark of ODU’s evolution as it pursues new ideas, programs and technology.
departments 6 Alumni Profile: At the Forefront of Innovation 8 Campus Happenings 10 Reducing Student Expenses through Innovation 12 Student Points of View Front cover: Shilpa Murthy ’18 participates in a lab at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Dublin campus.
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1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University
1216 is published twice a year for alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff by Ohio Dominican University. The mission of 1216 is to share with readers a focused publication that closely examines a particular topic or theme that is unique to each edition. It strives to engage readers, develop interest and provide a better understanding of how the University is helping students connect their passion with a greater purpose for their lives. Magazine Staff Editor Tom Brockman Managing Editor Mark Cooper Design Monica Martin Contributors Bud Braughton, City of Columbus Steven Jankowski ’19 Manuel Martinez, Ph.D. Jacob Poe ’17 Kathleen Riley, Ph.D. Myrissa Stalter ’19 Jim Strode, Ph.D. Mission Statement As a Catholic liberal arts university in the Dominican tradition, Ohio Dominican University is guided in its educational mission by the Dominican motto: to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation. Ohio Dominican educates individuals committed to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth, who develop into lifelong learners, serving others in a global society. They in turn become ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace. Click here to send address changes and comments. Ohio Dominican University was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Dear ODU Alumni and Friends, We received wonderfully positive feedback regarding the first issue of 1216 after it was published last summer. It was rewarding to see the hard work that went into that inaugural issue produce such a well-received magazine. The response made it clear that many of our readers were eager to receive more news about Ohio Dominican – stories that reveal what makes this such a special place in our hearts. As President Gervasi and I discussed potential topics for this issue of 1216, he observed, “I’ve been so impressed since I came to Ohio Dominican by the spirit of innovation demonstrated by our faculty and staff.” The editorial team loved the idea and incorporated a range of voices to showcase the innovative practices that have been a driving force at ODU over the course of its 108-year lifespan. You will learn from our own faculty leaders about the various ways in which we are adapting to changes in technology, student demographics and learning styles to provide an educational experience that prepares students for a world that is changing more rapidly every day. It’s gratifying to hear from young alumnus Jacob Poe ’17, who boldly majored in Software Engineering the first year it was offered at ODU. His experiences inside and outside of the classroom showcase the positive outcomes that are made possible here. Similarly, ODU seniors Steven Jankowski and Myrissa Stalter describe the entrepreneurial spirit and faculty support that led to the establishment of a student-led public relations firm here on campus. The opportunities for collaboration extend beyond our campus. Not long after the city of Columbus was awarded a $50 million Department of Transportation grant to earn the designation as “America’s Smart City,” we established a relationship with Smart Columbus that led to the installation of more than $3.5 million in solar technology on our campus. Columbus city engineer Bud Braughton contributed an informative article about the city’s vision and partnership with ODU. The late co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, described innovation as “… the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” ODU prepares students for an environment of constant change with a curricular approach that bolsters our traditional liberal arts foundation and engages students in a rigorous interdisciplinary education to inspire critical thinking, ethical behavior, and an insatiable quest for the truth – befitting our Dominican heritage. Best wishes for a peaceful and joyous New Year.
Mark Cooper Vice President Advancement and External Relations
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Innovation
through Partnerships Expanding Student Opportunities while Reducing Cost
As faculty at Ohio Dominican, we are energized by our colleagues who have been on the forefront of innovation in creating new, unique opportunities for our students. As the landscape of higher education changes and evolves, we’ve taken a creative yet practical approach to enhance our students’ experiences while allowing us to fulfill our mission.
By Manuel Martinez, Ph.D., Dean of Undergraduate Studies & Jim Strode, Ph.D., Dean of Graduate Studies
One of the ways in which we’ve been successful in creating these opportunities is by pursuing partnerships with our peer institutions. Last fall, we signed two articulation agreements with the University of Dayton that provide students with accelerated pathways to UD’s graduate school of engineering and its school of law. Under both agreements, Ohio Dominican students will take undergraduate courses at ODU for three years, and then transfer to UD for their senior year where they will begin their first year of graduate study. The benefit to these students is that they can earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees or Juris Doctor in as few as five total years, which is a significantly shorter period of time than students who pursue traditional tracks. Our agreement with the University of Dayton adds to a long list of opportunities we provide our students who want to pursue graduate education. Another partnership we’re
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Vincent Relli-Dempsey ’18 and Shilpa Murthy ’18 attend the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine as part of ODU’s Medical School Early Assurance Program.
extremely proud of is with the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Our Medical School Early Assurance Program gives outstanding students an opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in as few as seven years. ODU is excited to have two 2018 alumni currently at OUHCOM through this partnership, Vincent Relli-Dempsey and Shilpa Murthy. In addition to offering a similar assured acceptance program into our own Physician Assistant Studies master’s program, our 4+1 programs give students the ability to earn their bachelor’s and master’s in Business Administration, English, Sport Management, and Healthcare Administration in just five total years. These programs are key to helping us keep ODU’s talent on campus, as well as speeding up the educational process, which saves students money with regard to tuition.
Inside the classroom, our faculty continue to find creative ways to keep our students on the forefront of innovation. Finance professor Doug Ruml, D.B.A. provides the Bloomberg Market Concepts exam to his students, which allows them to earn an additional certification free of charge. Psychology professor John Marazita, Ph.D. is leading a research team of students and alumni to study cell phone distraction in the classroom. Public Relations professor Natalie Kompa helped a group of students start their own PR firm. Innovation is critically important to our society—from the workplace to our personal lives—and ODU is committed to exploring and pursuing new ideas, concepts and programs to ensure our students have access to the resources they need to thrive and excel in their chosen career path. 1216 Winter 2019
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Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther at the unveiling of $3.6 million in mobile solar technology on ODU’s campus on Sept. 6, 2017.
Smart Columbus Partners with ODU to Enhance Campus Sustainability and Safety By Bud Braughton, Project Manager, City of Columbus
“Smart is just the start” — it’s something we say frequently at Smart Columbus. Smart Columbus is the smart city initiative of the Columbus region. The program was initiated after Columbus beat out 77 other cities to win the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Smart City Challenge in 2016. As the winner, Columbus won the distinction as “America’s Smart City,” and $50 million in grant funding — $40 million from the USDOT to discover how new transportation technologies can improve quality of life and $10 million from Paul G. Allen Philanthropies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, primarily by electrifying the transportation sector. Through these opportunities, we’ll use data and technology to transform transportation in our city — but that’s just the start. We believe that by improving
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transportation, we can improve quality of life, attract economic growth, improve safety and foster sustainability in our region. Smart Columbus has partnered with more than 100 organizations across the region to solve real problems by using new mobility and sustainability technologies. Recently, we partnered with Ohio Dominican University to do just that. As the winner of the Smart City Challenge, Smart Columbus was connected with DC Solar Freedom, an organization that manufactures mobile solar stations capable of powering lighting towers and electric vehicle charging stations. DC Solar committed to a $1.5 million in-kind donation of their technology to Central Ohio universities and public agencies in support of Smart Columbus’ goal to decarbonize power generation in the region.
Click here to watch a video highlighting ODU’s partnership with Smart Columbus.
Officer Kenny Walker charges ODU’s electric public safety vehicle.
As we were researching potential applications of mobile solar technology, we became aware of a need on Ohio Dominican’s campus: the intramural field and tennis courts near Panther Stadium and the surrounding parking lots were in need of better lighting. Officials from ODU invited Smart Columbus and DC Solar to tour the campus to learn more. After reviewing ODU’s lighting and technology needs, DC Solar made a generous commitment of 24 solar energy products, including electric vehicle charging stations, light towers, power stations and generators, together valued at more than $3.6 million, far exceeding DC Solar’s initial project commitment. By deploying equipment for the intramural fields and parking lots, ODU has benefited from enhanced safety through improved lighting, without adding demand on the city’s power grid or generating emissions. The university also has been able to power its electric public safety vehicle, further fostering sustainability on campus. Students, staff and faculty can now participate in activities they enjoy, move about campus in a more safe and sustainable way, and even charge their cell phones, tablets and mobile devices so they can be more productive while they are out and about.
And the technology deployment and its benefits are — as we say — just the start. Deploying the mobile solar technology helps to inspire innovation among Ohio Dominican students who will influence technology adoption and deployment for years to come. By creating this environment where students have access to and can learn from advanced, sustainable technology, we are creating a culture that not only will lead these students to demand smarter and cleaner technologies in the future, but will also lead them to invent the technologies that will follow.
In Ohio Dominican, we discovered a tremendous energy, passion and eagerness for sustainability and innovation that made them an exceptional partner for this advanced initiative. Now that’s smart. 1216 Winter 2019
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Innovation
At the Forefront of
By Jacob Poe ’17, B.S. in Software Engineering Junior Software Developer, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
As I began my freshman year at Ohio Dominican, I wasn’t quite sure how my decision to major in Software Engineering would affect my future. I had always been curious about how things work, and I certainly enjoyed using technology, but I had no idea about what was actually taking place “underneath the hood,” so to speak. My decision to study Software Engineering was based more on feeding my own curiosity than it was about continuing along the same path I’d been following in high school, where my best exam scores were in reading, writing and social studies. Up to that point, nothing in my skill set suggested that I’d succeed in a technologyrelated field. Regardless, I followed my curiosity and dove headfirst into, what was at the time, Ohio Dominican’s brand new Software Engineering program. As one of the first students to study Software Engineering at ODU, my first year was a trial by fire to say the least; however, as I reflect back, I can say with absolute certainty that I gained a better understanding of – and a higher respect for – the material I was learning due in large part to the incredible help and guidance of my professors. During my sophomore year, at the advice of Dr. Alae Loukili, I, along with several of my Software Engineering and Computer Science classmates, signed up to compete in the JPMorgan Chase “Code for Good” event. This 24-hour coding competition for charity attracts college-aged talent from across the country to compete at the JPMorgan Chase & Co. tech headquarters in Columbus. After 24 straight hours (and twenty-something cups of coffee), we presented our product to that year’s charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF). After seeing some of the other teams’ amazing presentations, I was convinced that we’d go home with nothing more than a cool story and memorable experience. So I was completely caught off guard when our team was named the winner, and our prototype was used as the model for a real app to be developed for, and used by, the LJFF. This is why I feel so strongly about maintaining a close relationship with Ohio Dominican, even after graduation. My experience at ODU is about more than earning a degree; it’s about amazing people who inspire, encourage and advocate for their students. At ODU, students have the opportunity to discover and pursue their passion, no matter what it may be. In a world that’s ever-changing, I learned firsthand that technology is nothing to be afraid of, and that anyone can succeed if they just try.
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Contemplata – Faculty Perspective
A History and Tradition of
Innovation
From its founding as the Ladies Literary Institute of St. Mary of the Springs in 1911, to its current identity as Ohio Dominican University, the Dominican Order’s motto, “to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation” has had a constant presence at 1216 Sunbury Road. Etched in stone in front of Erskine Hall, displayed in bold letters in the student center, and referenced often in conversations, this motto remains the secure foundation of all facets of the University as well as a reminder of the determination and innovative spirit of the Sisters who built Columbus’ only Catholic college. Facing financial adversity during the Great Depression, the Sisters resolved to pay off their debt by collecting donations in baskets after parish masses. Their commitment to educating young women focused, as always, on truth as the foundation of their study.
In 1964, the University made the innovative and, at the time, controversial decision to become coeducational. This was seen by leadership as a necessity when Bishop Clarence George Issenmann, S.T.D. wanted Catholic men to also have the opportunity to obtain a Catholic education. With that, Ohio Dominican College was born a few years later. Sr. Suzanne Uhrhane, OP, who was president at the time, faced the challenge of incorporating these changes into the fabric of college life, but a 1978 North Central Association report concluded that the college had met these changes well, especially when it came to the understanding of and dedication to the mission. Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP proved to be a pioneer during her 23-year tenure as president. It was her vision, along with a faculty initiative, to create a new
By Kathleen Riley, Ph.D., Professor of History
humanities program following a successful National Endowment for the Humanities grant application that won national recognition for Ohio Dominican. Other initiatives launched during this time included Upward Bound and Village to Child, both of which were designed to reach out to children in the local community. One of the success stories of this initiative is Wil Haygood, an award-winning journalist with the Washington Post and author of numerous books. Another example of Sr. Mary Andrew’s forward thinking was the University’s Invitation to Tomorrow program, which provided students with a laptop, software and 24-hour technical assistance. Ohio Dominican has also been innovative in the education it provides its students. The University has launched new market-sensitive bachelor’s and graduate degree programs, many of which offer online formats, to help provide students the education, tools and resources they need to pursue a successful career. Formerly the LEAD Program, the Adult & Continuing Education program continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s working professionals by offering affordable in-demand professional development, certificate and degree programs in flexible formats. The PATRIOTS program, which has now been in existence for nearly 30 years, has helped countless active duty service members and veterans earn their degree. The innovative spirit that guided those women 108 years ago remains evident to this day, and under Dr. Gervasi’s leadership, that spirit continues to inspire us to pursue new ideas, initiatives and partnerships that will help propel us toward the future. 1216 Winter 2019
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Campus Happenings From beautiful renovation projects, to new academic programs, to prestigious student honors; fall semester was an exciting time to be at Ohio Dominican! Matesich Theatre Restored to Former Glory Crews have completed the third phase of a $1-million restoration of the historic Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP Theatre. During the Christmas break, the theater’s carpet and seats were replaced, which will offer guests a much more comfortable experience. Over the past several years, work has been done to strengthen and repair the theater’s exterior roof and walls; repair plaster and woodwork; and paint the walls and ceiling. Click here to make a donation to support the purchase of new lighting, audio and visual equipment, or to purchase a seat as part of the “Save Your Seat” campaign.
Software Engineering Students Win 2018 JPMorgan Chase “Code for Good” Competition Software Engineering students Mustafa Nor ’19 and Chidi Emeh ’18 were on a team that took first place at the 2018 JPMorgan Chase “Code for Good” competition. More than 100 students participated in the 24-hour competition, which took place Oct. 19-20 at JPMorgan Chase’s technology headquarters in Columbus. Their team designed a prototype mobile app to benefit clients of OhioGuidestone, a foster care and family services organization that offers community-based services, including mental health and residential care. Every year, several ODU Software Engineering and Computer Science majors participate in the competition. A team of five ODU students also claimed top spot in 2015 when they designed and developed a prototype of an app to be used by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
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Saliba ’18 Wins Honors in National Elie Wiesel Essay Contest Jacob Saliba ’18 earned third place in the prestigious 2018 Elie Wiesel Foundation Prize in Ethics Essay Contest. His essay, “Why the Night Trilogy Matters,” was based on his senior Honors thesis. Thousands of college juniors and seniors from around the country submitted essays to the Foundation as part of this year’s contest. Saliba and the other honorees were recognized on Oct. 12 at an awards dinner in New York City, and had an opportunity to meet Wiesel’s widow, Marion Wiesel. Jacob Saliba ’18, Sr. Joan Franks, OP, Ph.D., Marion Wiesel and Ron Carstens, Ph.D.
Higher Learning Commission Grants ODU 10-Year Reaccreditation Ohio Dominican has been reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission for a 10-year period, the maximum amount of time possible. The regional accreditation agency validates the overall quality of institutions and has affirmed the mission and responsibility of ODU. As part of the accreditation process, a team of HLC peer reviewers visited ODU on March 26-27, 2018.
Partnership with The Catholic Foundation Enhances Planned Giving Services Ohio Dominican has partnered with The Catholic Foundation to engage with alumni and friends of the University who are considering supporting ODU through a planned gift. A planned gift is any major gift, made in lifetime or at death, as part of a donor’s overall financial and estate planning. This partnership allows ODU’s advancement team to focus on gift cultivation and annual giving efforts, while providing donors with access to the vast resources and knowledge of the Foundation’s staff as they consider future gifts and long-term planning to benefit the University.
ODU Launches New Online Master’s Degrees Three additional master’s degree programs are available at ODU completely online. Students can now earn their master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Sport Management, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, as well as a range of other certificates and degrees, 100 percent online. Click here to learn more about ODU’s online offerings.
More Than 170 Graduate at Fall Commencement ODU celebrated its 110th Commencement ceremony on Dec. 15. More than 170 students received their degrees as they were joined by ODU faculty, staff, alumni, and hundreds of family and friends in Alumni Hall. Jim Strode, Ph.D., ODU associate professor of Sport Management, and dean of Graduate Studies, delivered the keynote address.
Panther Student-Athletes Excel During Fall Semester Ohio Dominican’s fall athletic teams enjoyed another successful season. The football team went 9-2 and finished the regular season ranked in the top 25 in the country. They’ve won at least seven games in seven straight seasons. Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams qualified for their respective conference tournaments. The women’s soccer team won 10 games for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons, and the men’s team picked up a win against Tiffin University, the top-ranked team in the region. The men’s golf team registered five topfive finishes, and the women’s golf team finished every tournament in the top 10. The volleyball team picked up a pair of victories at the nation’s largest collegiate volleyball tournament, the Midwest Region Crossover, and the women’s cross country team took first place at the Rio Grande Invitational under new head coach, Connor Callahan ’15.
New Dual-Licensure Programs Are Ohio’s First Ohio Dominican has developed the state’s first undergraduate dual-licensure programs for high school mathematics and art teacher candidates to also earn their Intervention Specialist license within four years. The combination of these licenses will allow the candidates to better support all students, including students with special needs. The licensure programs, which will launch in fall 2019, were developed with the help of a nearly $225,000 two-year grant funded by the Ohio Deans Compact on Exceptional Children.
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Reducing Student Expenses through Innovation Inclusive Access Course Materials Saving Students Big. By Tom Brockman, Editor
For college students across the United States, the process of purchasing textbooks has become an agonizing and anxiety-filled activity, especially as they wait to hear the amount they owe at the register. According to the College Board, the average U.S. college student spends around $1,200 a year on books and supplies. A 2013 study conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that, from 2002 to 2013, the price of new college textbooks increased by 82 percent. Similarly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 1977 to 2015, textbook prices increased by 1,041 percent. Ohio Dominican is taking steps to significantly reduce the cost of textbooks for students. This spring semester, ODU launched a pilot study in which it introduced inclusive access course materials from Barnes & Noble into 10 courses across a range of subject areas. These materials, which include e-textbooks and e-courseware, are available to students at a steeply discounted rate through a partnership between OhioLINK, of which ODU is a member institution, and publishers that include Pearson, McGraw-Hill Education, Macmillan Learning, and Wiley & Sons, Inc. The use of inclusive access course materials, when combined with free open educational resources, could potentially save students between 50 to 80 percent when compared to acquiring course materials through traditional retail channels. “One of the most innovative aspects of our approach is that we are not telling faculty they have to use specific
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course materials,” said ODU Librarian Michelle Sarff, who co-leads ODU’s Inclusive Access Implementation Team. “Instead, we are providing faculty with a menu of affordable learning options for their courses, and they can choose which materials fit their course best.” Although this pilot program is studying a relatively small number of courses, the University estimates that students in these courses will save a total of nearly $25,000 on textbooks and other course materials, with an average per-textbook savings of $115. “Because of the courseware associated with some of these textbooks, students are required to buy brand new books, which tends to drive up the price,” said Lindsey Mason, who serves on ODU’s inclusive access team. “Because of the cost, fewer students are purchasing necessary course materials. Not only are we trying to reduce the cost of course materials, we also hope to improve student grades, retention and overall satisfaction.” As with any major initiative, this pilot program will give faculty and staff adequate time to identify and address any areas of concern before the initiative is expanded to include more courses during fall semester later this year. Students who utilize inclusive access course materials get guaranteed access to e-textbooks by the first day of class through ODU’s course management system, PantherLearn. These e-textbooks can be viewed on a range of devices including computers, tablets and cell phones. Students who prefer to purchase or rent physical textbooks will have the option to opt out of receiving inclusive access materials.
Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine Brings a Unique Perspective to Panther Athletes The partnership that exists between Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine and Ohio Dominican represents a unique approach to the well-being of every student-athlete. What began as a typical sports medicine program in 2012 has evolved into a more comprehensive relationship that enables the Sports Medicine team to address a wide range of medical issues beyond injury prevention and rehabilitation. At ODU, it’s known as 360-degree care. Let’s begin with a closer look at the members of the multidisciplinary Nationwide Children’s team. In addition to Sports Medicine physicians, the team also includes orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers and a registered sports dietitian. It’s an innovative approach that builds confidence among coaches and athletes alike. When athletes know their health is always the top priority, they are free to concentrate on their individual performance and team goals. The Nationwide Children’s team views itself as an integral part of the success of every ODU team. They’re invested in the Panthers. In fact, they not only work to keep athletes healthy throughout college, they also strive to give them the tools they need to stay healthy once their athletic careers have ended. Part of the team’s commitment to Ohio Dominican is reflected in their on-campus presence. The Sports Medicine team provides care for all athletes across 16 sports. That means athletic trainers are present for every practice and every home game – they travel to away games for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. In addition, Sports Medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons are present at basketball and football games, where the risk of serious injury is greatest. Athletic training room hours are available daily. This is one of the most important components of the program. In these sessions, athletic trainers and physical therapists work one-on-one with individual athletes to rehab injuries and, equally important, teach proven strategies designed to help prevent future injuries. Nationwide Children’s also conducts two on-site physician clinics each week to see injured athletes who require a higher level of care. During the 2017–2018 academic year, Sports Medicine physicians saw more than 170 student-athletes during clinics.
Richard Rodenberg, M.D. treats an ODU student-athlete.
One of the more unique components of the program is the emphasis on the role of nutrition in sports performance. Nutrition clinics are offered monthly under the direction of a registered sports dietitian. Individual nutrition counseling, as well as team-oriented counseling, are also available. The team at Nationwide Children’s invests time and resources in these efforts because they know the positive impact of good nutrition. Athletic Director Jeff Blair summarized the innovative connection between ODU and Nationwide Children’s in saying, “We are grateful for the world-class care that our student-athletes receive from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine. Their team-centered approach is designed to meet the needs of all of our athletes. The staff is very knowledgeable and wellversed in all the latest technology and innovation in the growing field of sports medicine. Our student-athletes are able to take advantage of the many resources available through our partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine.” The long-term goal for the Sports Medicine team is to continue doing the things that have brought the program to this point – exploring new opportunities to advance care and staying on the leading edge of the sports medicine landscape.
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Student Points of View
1911 PR Firm Built on Students’ Passion concept that it wanted to achieve, but obtaining the resources for implementation was challenging. Fortunately, our advisor constantly goes above and beyond for us and finds a way to get things done. Through her connections, we were able to gain prospective clients within just a few weeks.
Myrissa Stalter ’19 and Steven Jankowski ’19 stand outside the office of 1911 PR, a student-run PR firm launched in 2017. By Steven Jankowski ’19 and Myrissa Stalter ’19, Public Relations & Marketing Communications Majors
I can still remember exactly where and when I experienced my “eureka” moment; it was 2017 in Seattle, Washington. I, along with students from across the country, were attending the annual three-day Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Assembly. During one of the breakout sessions, I overheard some students discussing their clients. “Clients?” I thought. Then it struck me: the millennial generation is always personally promoting something, especially on social media. So, wouldn’t it make sense to leverage that interest and skill set to gain applicable, real-world experience? That’s when I came up with the idea of creating a student-run public relations firm on Ohio Dominican’s campus. With the enthusiastic blessing of ODU’s PRSSA faculty advisor, Natalie Kompa, 1911 Public Relations was officially born. In fact, it wasn’t long before we had a logo, a team of marketing and communications students, and our own office space on the third floor of Erskine Hall. That was the easy part. The logistics of organizing a firm, gaining clientele and ensuring professional development for students were quite intricate. The group had an ideal visionary
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Our organization – and our portfolio of projects – has only continued to grow. We meet with clients, hold conference calls, develop proposals, have brainstorming sessions, create presentations, and pledge our effort to add unexpected value to each of our client’s brands. And this year, students had the opportunity to participate in 1911 for course credit. Since the class structure parallels a professional office setting, students gain truly valuable experience that prepares them for career success. We’re also currently working with the American Petroleum Institute as we compete against 18 other student-run firms across the country to create public relations campaigns on the theme of “Educating our Energy Future.” Our objective in this competition is to educate future generations on the partnership and impact that traditional fuel sources like oil and natural gas have on our planet. Our group is working tirelessly to come up with a creative proposal to meet the organization’s goals. Our research and contact with experienced professionals have allowed us to gain the necessary understanding this project requires to ensure it is completed thoroughly and with credibility. Problem-solving plays a large role in our field, and this has provided us a small taste of what we can expect in our future careers. 1911 PR hasn’t only been embraced by faculty and students interested in public relations, it’s also been supported by ODU administration, including President Gervasi. Our team of students works with passion and intrigue, and we are extremely excited to watch how our organization grows and evolves in the months ahead, and after our graduation in May. We’re grateful not just to our firm’s clients, but for the unique opportunity ODU provided to take a not-so-simple idea and make it a reality.
Why I Give to ODU incredible experience at Ohio Dominican “ My had a tremendous influence on who I am
today; everything from the fascinating subject matter I studied, to the friends I made, to the enthusiastic professors and Sisters who mentored me. I firmly believe every student should have access to the same extraordinary experiences that I had, which is why I’m proud to support ODU by returning the investment that they made in me.
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Reta Clemans Holden ’65, Bachelor of Science in Biology 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Alumni Council Member Anna Burst Science Scholarship Recipient and Contributor
The generous support we receive from our proud alumni and friends helps to foster a brighter future for Ohio Dominican University. Reta’s gifts of time and treasure have increased student scholarship funds, provided research and development opportunities for faculty, and have been invested in campus enhancement projects, including a new stage curtain for the Matesich Theatre. Support from alumni and friends like you will ensure that we can continue to fulfill our mission to make a positive impact on the lives of ODU students for years to come.
Click here to make a gift today.
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