Over 300 Guests Gather to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
December 7, 2007- Newark, OH- The Ohio State University at Newark celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a public reception on Saturday, December 1, in a capacity-filled Reese Center on campus
More than 300 community members, former students, faculty and staff mingled with supporters and dignitaries, including State Senator Tim Shaffer, State Representatives Jay Hottinger and Dan Dodd, Newark Mayor Bruce Bain and Heath Mayor Richard Waugh.
Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee, a featured speaker at the event, told the welcoming crowd that Newark is not merely a branch of the main campus, but an intellectual force in and of itself as well as an integrated part of the whole institution. “This is The Ohio State University,” said Gee. In addition, Gee recognized the community for its long and continuing support of the campus.
Ohio State Newark Dean and Director William L. MacDonald noted how the campus has grown and changed through the years from a piece of farmland to a beautiful campus with eight buildings, including the forthcoming state-of-the art John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center, slated to open in July 2008. “In 1957, when Ohio State Newark opened its doors, there were 80 students and eight faculty members. Today, there are 2,500 students and more than 100 faculty, including part-time members,” said MacDonald.
A highlight of the evening was former student Tim Klingler’s candid recollection of his first glimpse of Ohio State Newark. Klingler, a current lecturer in the Department of Education, was the first Ohio State graduate to complete all of his coursework in Newark. “The first time I saw campus was with my mother,” recalled Klingler. “My mom started to cry, and asked, ‘Tim, do you realize what an opportunity this is?’” Klingler said. “She was right.”
The evening was rounded out with campus historical displays and musical entertainment provided by the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra Lyric String Quartet, as well as the University Chorus singing such traditional Ohio State University songs as “The Buckeye Battle Cry,” “Across the Field,” and the alma mater, “Carmen, Ohio.”
In conclusion, Dean and Director MacDonald added, “I proclaim to The Ohio State University at Newark, that at 50, you look fabulous.”