Dedicated and opened in 1893, Orton Hall is the second oldest building on the Ohio State campus.
The numbers are in, and last year was truly outstanding. Record-breaking research expenditures and fundraising, a banner year for faculty and student awards, and this autumn we welcomed our largest-ever incoming class of new students.
After more than three decades in higher education, I continue to be excited by the promise of each new academic year and energized by the eagerness and enthusiasm our new students bring to campus. I am proud that we honor that promise, offering unlimited opportunities and an exceptional, affordable education. Word is getting around about the value of an arts and sciences education.
Based on our Back-to-School issue of ASCENT, see if you agree there is every reason to think we'll be having another banner year.
David Manderscheid, Executive Dean and Vice Provost
College of Arts and Sciences
We have a record number of new, first-year students on campus. For this academic year, Ohio State received more than 49,000 applications, a 7 1/2 percent increase.
In the Arts and Sciences, we saw …
Research and creative activity are flourishing in the college. One measure is research expenditures; last year we had $88 million in research expenditures — a new record. Add in creative activity, the more than 100 books published by our faculty, and articles too numerous to count, and you begin to see the full range of our scholarly excellence.
Across and within divisions — between and across disciplines — the scope of research, exploration and innovation in the Arts and Sciences is just one of the reasons we are one of the nation’s premier colleges of arts and sciences.
Last year, we set a fundraising record in the college: nearly $37 million – a 34 percent increase over the previous year.
These gifts advance education, research and scholarship throughout the college – the generosity of our alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students is truly inspiring.
Just a few of the many transformational gifts ...
The question on the table is: What if testing yourself for cancer or other diseases were as easy as testing your blood sugar or taking a home pregnancy test?
“In a few years, it could be," said Abraham Badu-Tawiah (Badu), assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who developed a new, low-cost, proof-of-concept paper strip that can reveal the presence of malaria or cancer antigen in the blood.
“People could apply a drop of blood on a paper strip, at home, mail it to a laboratory on a regular basis — and see a doctor only if the test is positive.”
This summer, Arts and Sciences students were around the country — and the globe — interning, studying and volunteering. They were immersed in politics, out in left field studying the stats behind baseball, underwater studying coral reefs and everywhere in between. Along the way, they created and innovated, challenged themselves, and extended their ASC experience beyond the classroom.
We followed our students throughout the summer and shared their adventures. Where will they go next? In the Arts and Sciences, we'll provide the access to uncommon opportunities and support. The rest is up to them.
Internship: ESPN Summer Internship Program
Hometown: Springdale, AZ
Major: Journalism
Year in School: Second year
As an intern with ESPN Cleveland, Zach spent the summer learning many different angles of the sports broadcasting industry. Upon arriving, he was assigned an all-encompassing social media and web review to become familiar with the ESPN brand and to provide feedback for improvements. He also engaged in promotional work alongside brand partners and at sites such as Progressive Field and the Quicken Loans Arena (being in Cleveland to celebrate the Cavs' championship wasn't a bad deal). Zach also assisted with the production of “The Really Big Show,” a radio show hosted by Tony Rizzo and Jerod Cherry.
Internships: ReLā Leadership, and US Together (Women’s Empowerment Program Intern)
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Major: Italian and International Studies
Year in School: Fourth Year
Kelsie worked in two Columbus-based internship roles this summer: with ReLā Leadership, a nonprofit leadership development organization, and US Together, a nonprofit that provides services to refugees. Her work focused on public service, cross-cultural exchange and empowering refugee women and girls.
Title of Project: Investigation of Viral Transmission between Honey Bees and Native Bees
Hometown: Yellow Springs, OH
Major:
Biology, pre-health specialty
Year in School: Third year
Benjamin has been investigating viral transmission between honey bees (which are not native to North America, having been introduced in the 1600s) and native bees with Professor Karen Goodell this summer. Part of his work includes three phases of field sampling with the bees.
With Labor Day now behind us, the political campaign season is officially in full swing and Ohio is at the center of it all.
Election 2016, Ohio State’s new incubator for campaign analysis and perspective, is where you’ll find Arts and Sciences faculty weighing in on the candidates and the issues.
tune into all the election conversation
We don’t just offer the tried and true; we find ways to incorporate emerging trends in unexpected ways. Our two new interdisciplinary collaborations highlight both the power and the relevance of an arts and sciences education.
The College of Arts and Sciences has a broad and rigorous curriculum. If you can think of it, chances are we have a class that covers it. Uncovers it. And dives deeper into every facet of it.
Today's graduates will spend their careers in a global environment that demands the ability to be nimble and responsive.
Arts and Sciences is in the position, with your support, to provide the ideal education to take on such a future.