A Preview: Selected OMA Offices Moving to the New ... - go to site

The Office of Minority Affairs
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SP/SU’09
A Preview: Selected OMA Offices Moving to the
New Student Academic Services Building…
On March 8, 2010, some units in
the Office of Minority Affairs will
have a new home. They will occupy
the third floor of the new Student
Academic Services (SAS) Building
being constructed at the corner of Lane
and Tuttle Park, just north of Fisher
College. These OMA units will move:
Academic Advancement Services,
Admin/Special Programs; Bell
Resource Center, Minority Scholarship
Services, Systems Operations,
Undergraduate Recruitment &
Development, along with the research
activities. On August 28, OMA service
units, intricately related to its funded
student population, conducted the
first of several workshops with the
University’s new Student Consolidated
Services Center (SCSC) staff, offering
an introduction to the myriad of
resources available in all OMA units on
campus and in the 8 statewide OMA/
Young Scholars city offices. The SCSC
will be located on the first floor of SAS
when the move, also involving other
University offices, begins on a rolling
basis in February.
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OMA Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center
OMA’s Hale Center co-hosts Screening Black in America 2
For the Hale Center, the Multicultural Center, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Black Student
Association, Black Graduate & Professional Student Caucus, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., May 21 presented
an opportunity to allow the campus and community a chance to screen Black in America2.
The event proved a fitting and important inclusion to programming offered at the Hale
Center. The initial 200 students who arrived received a limited edition Black In America2
sling backpack. And following the program, Omega Psi and Kappa Alphi Psi sponsored refreshments. In citing CNN’s
Black in America2 with Soledad O’Brien, on July 22 The Baltimore Sun wrote that a year prior, 16 million had “helped
ignite one of the most intense and widespread discussions of any TV production of the year.” Last year’s “model
focused on the experiences of black women and families one night and black men the next; this year’s follow-up focuses
on what the executive producer describes as ‘today’s pioneers’ and ‘tomorrow’s leaders’ – African American men and
women who are making some remarkable efforts to provide solutions to the problems of American life.”
Ebony Health Series Part II
With the Hale Center’s continued focus on aspects of the total African American experience, in spring quarter,
the constructive Ebony Series addressed “soul food”; noting that many of these foods are rich in nutrients. The
Ebony Health Series offered some free health screening, informative dialog, and samples of healthy fresh salads as
alternative ways of eating and living.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
T
he National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), comprised of the nine historically African American
fraternities and sororities at The Ohio State University, co-hosting with the Frank W. Hale,
Jr. Black Cultural Center and Multicultural Center, sponsored its 17th Annual African American
Farewell Celebration. The event acknowledged and celebrated those students (who graduated
spring or summer 2009, or who had graduated in the fall of 2008 or winter 2009), through a
personalized “graduation ceremony.” Dr. William Hicks, Hematology and Oncology Specialist at
the OSU Medical Center, was the keynote speaker. This year’s event took place on June 13th, at
Hitchcock Auditorium. A reception followed the ceremony at the Hale Center.
Other highlights during spring and summer quarters’ activities at OMA’s Hale Center included: on May 2nd, The
14th Annual Slater/Johnson Memorial Scholarship Banquet and on June 1st, Young Professional Meet and Greet
& Poetry in the Spring.
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OMA Young Scholars Program, OSU Bound
& Regional Campus Collaborations
12th Annual Samuel DuBois Cook Summer Academy
Nearly 80 of Ohio’s brightest high school students arrived at OSU on July 5 for the launch of the OMA/Young Scholars
Program’s annual Samuel DuBois Cook Summer Academy.
These rising senior Young Scholars came to Columbus campus prepared for the four week residential summer academic
camp. The students hail from Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lorain, Toledo and Youngstown.
Students were given the opportunity to get a very real taste of campus life. The Scholars had solid grade-appropriate
experiences, with a full and comprehensive schedule that had them active and engaged throughout the four week
academy. Highlights of the Summer Academy included a rigorous academic curriculum consisting of writing, reading,
physics, chemistry, psychology, math, OSU transition, and internships in STEM, Business, Arts and Sciences, and
Medical professions. Outside the classroom, they enjoyed parent visitation day, skating, YSP talent show, organization
fair, Cedar Point, Academic Knowledge Bowl, and the Senior Evening of Enchantment.
Pictured are the selected Scholars of the Year from each of the nine cities. These Scholars were honored at the
Welcome Ceremony on the opening day before their peers. They were also afforded important interaction with the
Academy’s namesake, Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook, and his wife, Mrs. Sylvia Cook.
(l – r) OMA Asst Vc Prov & YSP Director, Dr. Patrick Royster,
Demechia Williams, Shawna Heaton, Sandra Jones, Stacie
Ransom-Roscoe, Mallory Kimble, Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook,
ShaRayna Oree, Ashleigh Neely, Whitney Robinson, floor-
Nathan Jacobs.
(front row) Dr. and Mrs. Cook, along with Dr. Jacqueline Royster
enjoy programming with YSP Cook Summer Academy Scholars
(l – r) Mrs. Sylvia Cook, Dr. Patrick Royster, Dr. Jacqueline
Royster, Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook
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OMA YSP, OSU Bound and RCC con’t
Focusing on the First Year - The Transfer Experience
On April 22, the Office of Minority Affairs’ OSU Bound at Columbus State Community College Program Coordinator
Michelle Cobbs-Martin, along with Robert Decatur, Director of OMA’s Minority Regional and Transfer Students
presented during The Ohio State University’s Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience’s Transfer Fair
entitled, “Focusing on the First Year-The Transfer Experience.” Cobbs-Martin and Decatur described the program
and services they manage and provide, identified the challenges that underrepresented transfer and campus-change
students face, and shared a variety of academic resources, including OMA’s specialized services such as academic
advising, mentoring and tutoring, and non-academic resources that these populations need to transfer/transition to
OSU and stay on track to graduate.
Cobbs-Martin, during spring quarter, also presented at two additional educational venues: the Women of Courage Single
Parent Ministry’s group at Rhema Christian Center (in Columbus), where she discussed goal-setting and OSU Bound @
CSCC program; staff members at Columbus State Community College during the university’s 2009 In-service.
OMA’s OSU Bound @ Columbus State Community Coordinator, Michelle Cobbs-Martin, and OMA’s Director
of Minority Regional and Transfer Student Services, Robert Decatur present during OSU’s Undergraduate
Admissions and First Year Experience’s Transfer Fair
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OMA YSP, OSU Bound and RCC con’t
OSU Bound
An elated graduate from OSU’s English
Department (& alumna of OMA’s OSU
Bound at CSCC), Dianna Reeves receives
congratulations from OMA Asst Vc Prov & YSP
Director, Dr. Patrick Royster
Regional Campus Activities
Dianna Reeves joined the OSU Bound @ CSCC program in May of 2006, and
she will be its first participant graduate. Dianna started taking college
classes in high school through the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program
(PSEOP). She was recruited to the OSU Bound @ CSCC Program and with
its monitoring services, she successfully transferred from Columbus State
Community College to OSU during August quarter 2007. Dianna credits her
parents and the OSU Bound Program for helping her succeed. During a recent
interview, she said everything just went “smoothly for me”. She credits the
program for helping her “stay focused” and finding the resources she needed,
ranging from housing options to tutoring services. She is a strong advocate
for the program.
OMA OSU Bound @ CSCC Work Study Assistant Ralanna
Toland, a senior in OSU’s College of Social Work, assists
with daily program operations
Making a successful transition to Columbus campus continues to
keep program director Robert Decatur in full gear, responding to
inquiry, meeting with multicultural coordinators/managers from the
regional campuses and hosting specific activities with students from
regional campuses. Such sessions have offered details of OMA’s
Academic Advancement Services and its Bell Resource Center. Other
activities during spring and summer quarters included:
1) Traveling with the OSU Undergraduate Admissions FYE staff and
the Office of Student Life staff to each of the regional campuses (including the
Delaware Center) where they presented to students on the transition process in
addition to the Columbus campus experience. (spring quarter ’09)
2) Co-presenting (i.e. along with Michelle Cobbs-Martin) at the Undergraduate
Admissions & First Year Experience Conference at the Fawcett Center on April
22, 2009. The presentation was entitled: “Office of Minority Affairs (OMA)
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OMA YSP, OSU Bound and RCC con’t
Specialized Programming for Underrepresented Transfer and Campus-Change Students.” This conference was open to
students, staff and faculty from OSU as well as from neighboring community colleges/universities.
3) Working the annual Campus Connections Fairs at each of the Regional Campuses. During the spring quarter, the
Newark Campus Connections Fair was held on May 6. Decatur reports having had an opportunity to speak to students
and staff about OMA’s academic, social and cultural support services/resources.
4) Orchestrating an orientation late in summer for 70 students with OSU representatives to learn about the many OSU
resources/services available. These ‘Transfer & Campus Change’ students received valuable information from OMA’s
Academic Advancement Services, Frank Hale Center, and the Bell Resource Center; the Writing Center, the Math and
Stats Center, the Study Abroad Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Campus Police, Transportation & Parking, and
the Ohio Union & Student Activities Office.
Robert Decatur speaks with 2 Prospective Campus Change Students at the Newark Campus Connections
Fair
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OMA Administration
Todd A. Bell National Resource Center on the African
American Male
Bell Center co-hosts...
With the activities of OMA’s Bell Center crossing many pertinent subject areas, on
June 26, Bell was pleased to co-sponsor the conference on Promoting Community
Safety and Preventing Violence, Integrating Lessons from Research and Practice hosted
by OSU’s Youth Violence Prevention Advisory Board in collaboration with selected state
departments and Franklin County Homeland Security at the Vern Riffe Conference Center
(in Columbus). Lecturers included advocate/author Theresa Flores, writer/publicist
William Goldsby, associate professor/Indiana University-Dr. William Oliver, professor/
University of Illinois-Dr. Dennis Rosenbaum; and associate professor/Johns Hopkins-
Dr. Daniel Webster. Eight other OSU entities sponsored, along with Strategies Against
Violence Everywhere.
Bell Center Director participates on Capital Hill
Dr. James L. Moore, III, director of the Bell Center, was invited to participate in an
education-policy forum on Capitol Hill entitled, “Breaking Barriers: A Brain Trust
on Educational Policy Reform for School–Age African American Males”, sponsored by
the Congressional Black Caucus, Inc., Howard University’s School of Education, and the
Open Society Institute’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement. This day-long event
was convened on April 24. During the forum, members of Congress and a national
panel of educational experts discussed important educational legislation, including the
educational provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The
overall intent of this forum was to unite school board members, school administrators,
parents, students, and key policymakers at the national and local levels to reform
education within high-need areas.
With significant focus on increasing educational opportunities for African American
male students, Dr. Moore was also invited to serve on a national advisory board for AVID (Advancement via Individual
Determination). The advisory board informs the work of the AVID steering committee and consultants, ensures the
plans are solid and well-documented by research, and develops an effective multi-year plan. AVID increases educational
opportunities for African American male students at 4,000 sites and 800 school districts in the U.S., Canada and the
Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Its partners include the College Board and the National Association for
Gifted Children.
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The Annual Todd Bell Lecture Series Luncheon
The Office of Minority Affairs presented the 4th Annual Todd A.
Bell Lecture Series Luncheon on Monday, March 30th in the
ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Proceeds from this luncheon
support the activities of the Bell Center whose purpose is to
improve academic performance and graduation rates, as well as
enhance professional development among African American male
undergraduates. The Lecture Series Luncheon also serves as
the major fundraiser for Center. Along with an engaging keynote
speaker and comments from notable individuals from the local
community and nationally, the luncheon also provided spirited,
positive entertainment from a national recording artist. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the purpose
of the Bell Resource Center and its recent accomplishments.
Archie Griffin, President and CEO of The Ohio State
University Alumni Association, served as the keynote
speaker. National recording artist Kenny Lattimore
performed musical tributes.
Former State Senator C. J. Prentiss received the first recipient of The Mac A. Stewart
Distinguished Award for Service. This award was named in honor of Dr. Mac A. Stewart,
current Vice Provost for Minority Affairs and Chief Diversity
Officer of the University. It recognizes his distinguished career and
tireless efforts in higher education, particularly as they relate to
African American males. This award is given to individuals who
have provided outstanding service and leadership on matters
dealing with African American males throughout the lifespan. It
honors extraordinary service in government, education, professional
societies, and community affairs that have a major impact on African American males.
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The Ohio Commission on African American Males
The Obama Impact on Black Males
OCAAM Kitchen Table Series
On june 16th, The Ohio Commission on African American Males
(OCAAM), presented The Kitchen Table Series, “The Obama
Impact on Black Males.These community forums are designed
to bring together key thinkers and decision makers from across
sectors to discuss emerging issues pertinent to Black males around
the state of Ohio. “The Obama Impact on Black Males” was the
first in the statewide series. The objective is to initiate an open
conversation that will allow the community to discuss and debate
, suggest solutions, and engourage implementation. The Ohio Commission continues to identify and
promote strategies and policies to foster improvements in the social, economic and political conditions
for African American men and boys. It also addresses educational challenges that affect the African
American male population in Ohio.
Prelude Scholarship Recognition
The 27th Anniversary…
On May 17 at Hilliard Darby High School, family and friends gathered to
honor the 2009 Prelude class of student scholars.
Co-hosted by OMA & Columbus Chapter, The Links, Inc., Link Tracey
Townsend, 10TV Anchor/Reporter, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
Links Nikki Warren, Kathy Espy, Lorraine Brock and OSU Vice Provost
Mac Stewart offered greetings, introductions and welcome, respectively. There were recognitions of
OSU Links Scholars and Link – Dr. Margaret Roberts. The inspiring message to student honorees was
delivered by Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce (pictured); and then, the grand salute to hundreds of Prelude
Scholars in senior, junior, sophomore and freshman classes from over 50 high schools in the Columbus
area. Those of junior standing have been invited to apply to OSU for fall of 2010.
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Diversity Lecture & Cultural Arts Series
President and Provost’s 2008-09 series
In the spring, Vice Provost Mac Stewart was pleased to welcome two laureates to campus to close the 2008-09 series.
The annual Diversity Lecture & Cultural Arts Series hosted by President E. Gordon Gee and Executive Vice President
Provost Joseph Alutto continues to offer the campus and the Columbus community opportunities to benefit from some of
the most eminent scholars, artists, and professionals who discuss and exemplify diversity with excellence. Co-sponsors
included Nationwide, National Endowment for the Arts, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and the Wexner Center.
On May 22, best-selling author Amy Tan delivered the final diversity lecture of the 2008-
09 Series at Mershon Auditorium. Award-winning fiction writer whose novels are all
New York Times best-sellers, Tan wrote several books which include The Joy Luck Club,
The Kitchen God’s Wife, and The Hundred Secret Senses. She served as co-producer and
co-screenwriter for the film adaptation of The Joy Luck Club. She was also the Creative
Consultant for Sagwa, the Emmy-nominated PBS television series for children. Her essays
and stories are found in hundreds of anthologies and textbooks, and they are assigned as
“required reading” in many high schools and universities. Born in the U.S. to immigrant
parents from China, Amy Tan failed her mother’s expectations that she become a doctor and
concert pianist, and settled on fiction writing. Amy Tan‘s latest novel is in progress.
On April 21, Lucille Clifton, award-winning poet, fiction writer and author of
children’s books delivered a diversity lecture at the Wexner Center for the Arts.
Clifton is the 2007 recipient of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, one of the most prestigious
awards given to American poets and one of the largest literary honors for work in the
English language. Her poetry book, Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems
1988-2000, won the 2000 National Book Award for Poetry. Two of Clifton’s BOA
poetry collections, “Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980”, and “Next: New
Poems”, were chosen as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in 1988, the only author ever
to have done so; while Clifton’s “The Terrible Stories” was a finalist for the 1996
National Book Award. Clifton has received fellowships from the National Endowment
for the Arts; an Emmy Award from the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; the Shelley Memorial Prize;
and the Charity Randall Citation. She is a Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary’s College in Maryland. She
was appointed a Fellow of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and elected as Chancellor of The Academy of
American Poets in 1999.
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OMA Academic Advancement Services
A Trap Sampling Device for Schistosoma Cercaria
Students in AAS’ ACCESS Collaborative Program excel each year in many arenas. Current ACCESS participant,
Scherika Brown, Evolution and Ecology/Public Health major, spent an exciting summer with an OSU team (pictured
below), working on an environmental research project. It involved a Trap Sampling Device for Schistosoma Cercaria.
Included in Scherika’s report was the startling statistic that “Schistosoma (a parasitic disease) affects over 300 million
people worldwide, 60 million at risk in China, and it ranks second in global morbidity to malaria. Due to the increase in
incidences of schistosomiasis and other related diseases,” it was determined that “a field device was needed to detect
the parasites in a more effective and efficient way.”
Scherika worked on testing a flotation device for the capture of fork-tailed cercariae. “The Team believed this device
would greatly assist environmental health workers to obtain effective and efficient samples in a timely manner, without
the use of animals, and help reduce the number of Schistosoma occurrences within the population.”
Scherika Brown – second from left
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5th Annual Student Parent Support Symposium
Collaborative Program
On June 25-26, colleges and universities nationally were invited to The Office of
Minority Affairs’ ACCESS Collaborative Program’s 5th annual Student Parent Support
Symposium. “Higher Education & Community Professionals Advocating for Students
with Children” was the theme for this year’s conference. University professionals and
community leaders came together to promote the advancement of support services in
higher education for single parents, low income parents and their children.
Hosted at the Holiday Inn in Worthington (oh), the Symposium opened
with general session speaker, Amy-Ellen Duke Benfield, Senior Policy
Analyst for the Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP). The Symposium
Luncheon featured keynote speaker, Dr. Barbara Gault, Vice President of
the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Throughout the two-day event,
participants attended 15 CEU-eligible concurrent workshops that focused on
issues pertinent to the success and progression of student parents in higher
Dr. Barbara Gault-IWPR
education. They covered important topics such as healthy relationships, post
baccalaureate preparation, time and stress management. The Columbus
Metropolitan Library facilitated a session on reading with your child. The
parents and their children were treated to a puppet show and a Mother’s Day
dinner. The 5th annual Symposium concluded with an inspirational speech
from Selma, Alabama Councilwoman Angela Benjamin. The Columbus
chapter of the National Organization, Mocha Moms, gave many helpful hints
on managing a home, budget and kids. The Mocha members presented each
lady with a cookbook filled with easy preparation recipes.
Councilwoman Angela Benjamin
Amy-Ellen Duke Benfield-CLASP
...four “ACCESSers” graduate...
During the spring/summer quarters of 2009, ACCESS had 4 students to complete undergraduate degrees.
They were honored with a graduation celebration featuring their proud participant peers and motivational
speaker, Ida Alexander, who encouraged them to follow their dreams.
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Freeport
Florida
Study Abroad Program
Including home stay with a Bahamian family
The Bahamas
The Introduction to Study Abroad in the Bahamas Program was designed for the Office of Minority Affairs (OMA)
students. A portion of the program was held in Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island, the fourth largest of the Islands
of the Bahamas. Fifty-five miles off the coast of Florida, Freeport has cities and villages that reflect the cultures
and people that live in the Bahamas. The Freeport/Lucaya area is sometimes referred to as “The Hong Kong of the
Americas.”
Selected students enrolled in a course in the winter quarter to prepare them for and enhance their time abroad. It
focused on Bahamian culture, traditions, economics, politics and history. These areas of study were integrated into the
course in a variety of ways including lectures, student research, team activities.
The students took a short flight/visit to Nassau, the capital city, where they experienced a home stay with Bahamian
families.
Three Arts & Sciences credit hours were offered for the program: 1 credit hour for the pre-departure class (taught during
winter quarter), and an additional 2 credit hours for the program in the Bahamas.
Nassau
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OMA Minority Scholarship Services
MSS Conducts
Sessions for Cook
MSS provided a series of workshops for the
Young Scholars attending OMA’s Samuel
DuBois Cook Summer Academy. With the
assistance from OMA/YSP Canton Program
Coordinator, Harold Carter, information regarding
details about the financial aid application
process, the importance of being on-time and
the introduction of a Young Scholars financial
aid award were presented to the students over
their four-week stay on campus.
Funds For Your Future
Spring Quarter Workshops
In spring quarter, MSS staff was on-the-road
visiting all of the Young Scholars cities to
assist prospective students (and their families)
with understanding their (funding) award
letters from Ohio State. These workshops
entitled, “Funds for your Future”, give students
and families the opportunity to understand
exactly what the award letter means in terms
of possible out of pocket expenses. In addition,
workshops served as a bridge to the next
significant Ohio State event for the students –
Summer Orientation.
Orientation
Collaboration
At the time of the University’s Summer Orientation
Program MSS gave leadership, in collaboration
with Academic Advancement Services, to OMA’s
participation. Several staff members served as
presenters for 27 sessions designed to acquaint
students and their families with the expectations for
their funding and the support provided by OMA to
retain their funding. In addition, 27 sessions just for
parents were offered in collaboration with Student Life.
OMA staff co-presented with staff from Counseling and
Consultation, the Multicultural Center and University
Housing to parents addressing their needs as their
students transition from high school to college.
College Board’s Annual
“A Dream Deferred…”
OMA Bell Center Program Director Todd Suddeth
and Minority Scholarship Services Director
Shannon Gonzales-Miller presented at the College
Board’s annual A Dream Deferred, The Future of
African American Education Conference, which focuses
on African American Students k – 16. The presentation
entitled, “African American Male Retention Success
at Ohio State University”, was recognized as the
outstanding program for the conference.
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OMA Undergraduate Recruitment &
Development
2009 Spring & Summer Quarter R & D Activities and the
2009 Morrill Scholars
…in the summer…
Early August
Overnight
Campus Visit
Finalizing
The 2009
MSP
Awardees
To get a head start in recruiting the best academically talented minority students for
the class of 2010, many of the newly identified in-state minority high school juniors
where invited to participate in an early August overnight campus visit. Students and
their parents were hosted for almost two days with OMA directed workshops and OSU
academic departmental visits.
The 2009 Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) class was officially finalized this summer,
when it was established that 417 of the offers to the MSP scholarship awardees
had accepted their awards, evidenced by registering for classes during the summer
orientation process.
…in the spring…
“Go Buckeye Day”
with Coach Tressel
on April 4
Following up with the admitted OMA supported students kept OMA R & D personnel
actively engaged during spring. They also identified high school juniors who were
about to begin their senior year.
Admitted Student In order to yield the OMA supported students, many of the students from throughout
Follow-up & Juniors the country were invited to campus and hosted as OMA overnight guests. These
Identified
students participated in the annual spring quarter “GO Buckeye Day” festivity that
typically has an attendance of over 2,000 of the newly admitted students visiting the
campus. The 2009 program was celebrated on April 4th. The OMA invited students were treated to a number
of different events, academic departmental visits and heard from special speakers such as Football Coach Jim
Tressel.
Spring Phone- In keeping with the OMA tradition of identifying early in the Spring the students
Calling Activity who will constitute the next freshmen class, the OMA R & D staff was again directly
involved in conducting numerous phone calls to high school counselors throughout
the state of Ohio and to many out-of-state territories where OMA has established a legacy of recruitment.
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OMA Administration/Special Programs
A special tribute to the memory of:
Pura (Gina) del Valle Nolan June 9, 1938 - September 12, 2009
“ Ms. Gina” was one so dedicated; always exhibiting that certain degree of excellence
and professionalism in all that her hands touched in the workplace. She served the
Office of Minority Affairs (OMA) for ten years where she kept the various fund-accounts
in pristine condition on a continuum and coordinated the annual Prelude Scholastic
Recognition Celebration between OMA, The Columbus Links, Incorporated, and about 50
local high schools. And in retirement, she came back to assist during a critical interim
period between hires. Her smile, her cheerfulness, and her signature work ethic were
contagious. We will long remember these attributes, along with her wisdom, team spirit,
interpretive language skill, and the time she devoted to assisting a multitude of students
during her tenure.
14th Annual Ronald E. McNair Scholars Summer Visit
The June 30 McNair Visit saw a dramatic increase of
participation by over 20% from the previous year and
this, the 14th Annual Visit realized another 20% increase
in attendance above the 13th Annual McNair Visit. There
were over 145 McNair scholars from 13 institutions, ranging
from rising sophomores to graduating seniors. The McNair
Scholars visit is a collaboration with the Office of Minority
Affairs (OMA), The Graduate School and the Student Visitor
Center. The Vice Provosts from both OMA & The Graduate
School, Dr. Mac Stewart and Dr. Patrick Osmer, brought
messages of welcome and encouragement to the visiting
scholars. They implored the scholars to be certain to gain
invaluable experiences while examining over 40 distinct
OSU academic programs and meeting with OSU faculty, staff and currently enrolled graduate and professional students.
Cyndi Freeman, Director of Graduate Student Recruitment & Diversity Initiatives and the Ohio Science & Engineering
Alliance for the Graduate School, led and moderated a lively panel discussion. Three current OSU doctoral candidates
talked about life while matriculating in a graduate or professional program at The Ohio State University, as well as
advice while doing research and writing. The visit also provided opportunities for the scholars to interact with OSU
Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) students, network and bond with fellow McNair Scholars from other
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aforementioned 13 campuses. There was a guided bus tour of the main campus and its facilities which concluded
at OMA’s beautifully renovated 10,000 square-foot, Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center. While at the Hale Center,
the scholars were afforded more information about funding their graduate or professional education at the University
delivered by Dr. Elliot Slotnick, Associate Dean of The Graduate School. Dilnavas Cama, Program Coordinator in the
Office of Student Life, offered advice and insight about opportunities for safe and affordable housing on and off campus
to enhance their academic experience. To round the afternoon and conclude the visit, the scholars participated in 1 of
3 workshops designed to inform and enrich their pursuit for graduate education.
OSU College of Medicine 4-Year Merit Scholar Receives
Dual Degrees in Spring Commencement
Cedric Von Pritchett is headed to the University of Michigan where he
has won a residency in Otolaryngology (ENT), having completed
both the MD and MPH at The Ohio State University (OSU) in the spring
commencement (OSU’s largest graduating class -- 8,162 -- in history).
Cedric’s “precisioned” career already bespeaks a journey of excellence,
significant honors, research, presentations and giving back to the community.
Having been awarded numerous scholarships prior to and in medical school;
and serving in 2008-09 as President of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
(Ohio Gamma Chapter) and Chair of OSU’s Gold Humanism Honor Society
Future Planning Committee, it is also well noted that he won the OSU Board
of Trustees Student Recognition Award in 2005. (In its 39th year) OSU’s
Office of Minority Affairs hosts an Annual Graduate & Professional Schools
Visitation Days each November when The Graduate School and up to 60 OSU
academic units collaborate, including the College of Medicine. In Cedric’s early academic career, his transition
coursework was finished at a GPSVD-invited institution, Wright State University which has participated (in the
Visitation Days) since 1992. Relationships have been spawned with more than 100 academic institutions across
the country since the inception of GPSVD in 1971, including Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, from
which come many fine student scholars like Shawn and Heather Hervey-Jumper, a husband/wife team, who
earned their MD degrees at OSU, also going on to the University of Michigan for residencies in Neurosurgery
and Anesthesiology, respectively. OSU College of Medicine has been a part of GPSVD since the mid 1970s.
Hundreds of graduates in disciplines across the University over the span of hosting GPSVD are continuing to
make remarkable contributions to their chosen communities.
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National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning
15th Annual National Conference
I
n a collaborative effort between The Huntington National Bank, OSU’s
Office of Continuing Education and Office of Minority Affairs, the NCDR&L
focused its efforts on the theme, “Beyond the Diversity Rhetoric: Academic,
Corporate & Community Responsibility”. It provides not only an opportunity
for key figures in higher education, the private sector and the community to
come together and dialogue about issues of diversity, inclusion and equity
but also to serve as a collective call to action. On Tuesday, May 5th, all of
the 18 concurrent sessions held throughout the day were geared toward the
overarching conference theme, but spoke to its important and necessary contribution to the University’s Diversity Action
Plan and the Academic Plan. They stressed the influence and impact on the academic and
diverse communities. When Vice Provost Mac Stewart called the conference to order, in
attendance were about 300 leaders representing nearly 106 corporate, private, non-profit
and community agencies, the Big Ten and other colleges/universities, and numerous state
agencies, etc. from across the nation. The conference convened at the Fawcett Conference
Center for what has been called OSU’s most comprehensive single day conference of
this kind. The sessions were packed and all received overwhelmingly flattering feedback
with evaluations for content, presentation and caliber of presenters. The conference was
fortunate to have greetings and charge brought on behalf of the University by President,
Dr. E. Gordon Gee. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, President of State University of New York at
Old Westbury, pressed the importance of allowing and accepting diverse people and perspectives into the dialogue,
planning and implementation at all levels if we are to address social, economic, political and spiritual issues that face
communities in the 21st century. Following Dr. Butts’ roaring and somewhat controversial speech, the Q&A-“Grand
Conversation”, ended the day’s activities, moderated by Jerry Revish, prominent news anchor of WBNS TV-10 News
in Columbus (oh). In addition to Dr. Butts, other panelists included Dr. Cheryl Achterberg, Dean of OSU’s College of
Education & Human Ecology and Larry Seward, Executive Vice President of the Huntington National Bank.
18
DRUM OMA

OMA Administrative Offices
http://oma.osu.edu
*All addresses: Columbus, OH 43210
Administration
Vice Provost for Minority Affairs & Special
Assistant to the President for Diversity
102 Bricker Hall, 190 N. Oval Mall
Phone: (614) 292-4355
Fax: (614) 292-0224
Assistant Vice Provost
025 Mount Hall
1050 Carmack Road
Phone: (614) 292-4884
Fax: (614) 292-4603
Assistant Vice Provost
102 Bricker Hall
190 N. Oval Mall
Phone: (614) 292-4355
Fax: (614) 292-0224
Assistant Vice Provost
1000 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Phone: (614) 292-8889
Fax: (614) 292-2713
Academic Advancement Services
1030 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Phone: (614) 292-8732
Fax: (614) 292-4798
Administration/Special Programs
1010 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Phone: (614) 292-0964
Fax: (614) 292-7889
Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center
153 W. 12th Avenue
Phone: (614) 292-0074
Fax: (614) 292-2737
Minority Scholarship Services
1000 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Phone: (614) 292-8889
Fax: (614) 292-2713
Research, Evaluation and Assessment
c/o 102 Bricker Hall
190 N. Oval Mall
Phone: (614) 292-4355
Fax: (614) 292-0224
Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center
200 Pomerene Hall
1760 Neil Avenue
Phone: (614) 247-4765
Fax: (614) 247-0051
Undergraduate Recruitment and
Development
1000 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Phone: (614) 292-0965
Fax: (614) 292-2713
Young Scholars Program
025 Mount Hall
1050 Carmack Road
Phone: (614) 292-4884
Fax: (614) 292-4603
Sp/Su’09 19

The Office of Minority Affairs
1010 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, Ohio
43210-1230
Tel: (614) 292-0964
Fax: (614) 292-7889
http://oma.osu.edu
Editor: Marcela Figueira
Co-Editor: Jackie Lipscomb
Advising Area: Administration/Special
Programs