CFAES Connect: June 2015

  1. Retirement and philanthropy planning at CFAES

    Is there a special cause at CFAES that’s important to you? Whether you’re supporting groundbreaking research or easing the burden of student debt, your vision and generosity will create better opportunities for future Buckeyes and the lives they touch. Whatever your retirement planning needs and current situation, there are ways to combine philanthropy with retirement planning to help you reach your goals.

    Retirement plan assets are often subject to a high level of both federal and state income taxes. When you designate your retirement plan to the university, your assets can avoid taxation and Ohio State receives 100 percent of the retirement plan assets. Leaving other assets to heirs maximizes the impact of your gift to family and to Ohio State.

    The Office of Gift Planning closely with you to discover your passions and bring your charitable goals to life.

    Learn more and get started here.

  2. Save the Date - Homecoming 2015

    Clear the calendar for CFAES Homecoming 2015, October 9–10 at The Ohio State University!

    The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is planning to engage its alumni and friends with activities prior to the Ohio State Buckeyes game against the University of Maryland. Programming on Friday, October 9, will include the Dean’s State of the College address, alumni tours, breakfast, lunch, and the Parker Hall of Distinction induction ceremony and reception. Saturday, October 10, will see the return of the CFAES Homecoming Fallfest Tailgate, with a catered meal, live music, and fond memories, in the hours before the football game. Events will take place at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, a short walk to Ohio Stadium. Alumni are advised to update their Ohio State University Alumni Association contact information at go.osu.edu/cfaeslogin and return regularly to stay on top of updates regarding the weekend events.

    Registration and more event information will be available at the end of July.

    Questions can be directed to the CFAES Development Office at 614-292-0473 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

  3. Alumni Spotlight: Marilyn and John Miller

    This month's alumni spotlight is on John Miller (B.S. 1969, Agronomy; M.S. 1973, Dairy Technology) of Dublin, Ohio, seen here with his wife, Marilyn, in recognition of their continued service and generosity towards the college. Learn more here.

  4. USDA’s Bartuska visits Ohio, CFAES

    Ann Bartuska (pictured, center), deputy under secretary for USDA's Research, Education and Economics mission area, visited OARDC’s Wooster campus May 19, where she met with Linda Saif of the Food Animal Health Research Program (left) and OARDC Director Steve Slack (right).

    In February, Saif won the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture, becoming the first woman and first Ohio State scientist to be so honored.

    Also while in Ohio, Bartuska toured the Ohio City Farm in Cleveland, where she learned more about OSU Extension’s support of urban farming; visited USDA-ARS’s Soil Drainage Research Unit in the Agricultural Engineering Building in Columbus; met with Gwen Wofford in CFAES’s Government Relations office; and discussed soil health and ecosystem restoration with faculty and graduate students in the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

    Bartuska is a member of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force. (Photo: Ken Chamberlain, CFAES Communications.)

  5. New gigs: Davis, interim OSU Extension director; Cochran, interim ACEL chair

    Dr. Greg Davis and Dr. Graham Cochran are filling new interim roles with the retirement of Keith Smith as director of OSU Extension and Gary Straquadine's transition to Utah State.

    Davis will serve as the interim director, OSU Extension, beginning July 1. With the search under way, a committee hopes to bring a finalist to campus in early fall. 

    Davis's successful tenure in OSU Extension, knowledge of current issues and active engagement in pursuing future opportunities allows him to assume this role and to continue supporting and leading the great work done across our state by Extension faculty, staff and volunteers. Davis currently serves as professor and assistant director, Community Development, where he has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field. In 2013, he was awarded the National Distinguished Service award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. He has presented papers and spoken at professional conferences on the state, national and international levels and is a respected facilitator. He has been an active member of the Vice President’s Conversation on the Future of Extension leadership team and will continue his role on the search committee for the next director of OSU Extension.

    Meanwhile, as the college prepares a national search to identify the next chair of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, Cochran will serve as interim department chair of ACEL, effective July 1 and pending approval of the Board of Trustees.

    Cochran has served as an associate professor since 2011 with appointments in ACEL and the Department of Extension. Graham began his career at Ohio State in 1996 as a county director and Extension educator in Sandusky County. Since that initial appointment, he has accepted increasing responsibilities, including center director at Adventure Central in Dayton and in the OSU Extension Human Resources unit. His scholarship has focused on organizational and workforce development, including a leadership role with the development of an online master’s degree program. Cochran’s work in organizational and workforce development provided the type of experience necessary for him to successfully co-lead the Vice President’s Conversation on the Future of Extension.

  6. Nominate someone for the Food Science and Technology Hall of Distinction

    Be a part of highlighting the success and service of the OSU Food Science and Technology alumni and nominate someone today for the Hall of Distinction.

    Established in 2013, the Hall of Distinction seeks to recognize graduates and friends of the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University who have made significant contributions to the food science and technology profession.
    The recognition is intended to honor individuals who have:

    • Notable professional accomplishments and contributions in the field of Food Science and Technology
    • Service to others, and, in doing so, have brought recognition and honor to the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University
    • Involvement in the Department of Food Science and Technology through volunteer engagement and/or philanthropic support
    • Nominating statements must be limited to three typewritten, single-spaced 81/2" x 11" pages
    • Nominations will include at least one, but no more than three letters of support. Each letter of support will be limited to one 81/2" x 11" page
    • Curriculum vitae and resumes may be accepted but will be counted in the maximum number (six) of pages
    • Posthumous nominations will be accepted

    Inductees will be honored during Homecoming Weekend.

    To nominate someone, simply download the nomination form and mail it in or fill out the nomination form online.

     

  7. Ohio’s Extension Leader Retires After Long, Productive Ride

    Come June 30, Keith Smith’s last official day as director of Ohio State University Extension, you will find him on campus bright and early, riding herd over a series of business meetings and sporting his signature cowboy boots.

    Smith retires after 35 years at The Ohio State University, 23 of them as head of Extension. Leading up to his last few weeks in office, he showed no signs of slowing down.

    “I promised to stay engaged until June 30, and I am,” Smith said, after working until 9 p.m. the day before. “I’m trying not to leave too many untied ends.”

    “Keith has led the organization through significant growth and has been a steady guide all the way through his final days as director, as the organization continues to adjust to rapid, societal changes,” said Bruce McPheron, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Extension is the college’s outreach arm.

    “Ohioans, and indeed individuals across the country, will benefit from Keith’s leadership for years to come,” McPheron said.

    Smith said his successor will inherit one of the top Extension organizations in the country. “The faculty and staff are eager to be creative and innovative. They are in constant search for better ideas,” he said.

    The organization’s support for educators to attend national meetings and collaborate with their peers has helped build a strong organization, Smith said. OSU Extension employees have held leadership positions in all four national Extension program area professional organizations in the last five years and are frequent presenters at national meetings. In addition, OSU Extension educators can earn faculty positions at the county level.

    Smith, who also serves as the university’s associate vice president for agricultural administration and the associate dean of the college, will continue in his role part-time as Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership after taking a couple of months off.  He will also teach and advise students in the college’s Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership.

    To honor his service, the university has established the Keith L. Smith Lecture on Innovation in Extension, fund 315170. Those who wish to contribute can do so at give.osu.edu.

    Smith and his wife, Kathleen, live in Hilliard, Ohio, and have eight children and 14 grandchildren.

    A search for Smith’s replacement is underway. Until a successor is named, Greg Davis, OSU Extension’s assistant director of Community Development, will serve as interim director beginning July 1.

  8. OARDC Director Steve Slack announces retirement plans

    Dr. Steven A. Slack, director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) at The Ohio State University, has announced his plans to retire Dec. 31.

    “After more than 40 years of faculty and administrative service, the last 16 years as Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University, the time is right to move onto the next phase of my life," Slack announced recently. “I will be stepping down from my current role at the end of the 2015 calendar year.

    “Importantly, I have had the privilege to work with many committed and talented administrative, faculty and staff colleagues. Nothing is ever accomplished alone. I thank all of you for the rich experiences that Susie and I have enjoyed in Ohio. I appreciate the leadership that each of you have provided in your current roles and the opportunity to work with you in my present capacity.”
     
     
  9. Have you seen this?

    Want a better picture of the comprehensive and diverse facilities utilized and maintained in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences? Check out this recent video from College Communications.

  10. Spotlight Fund: The Ohio State Fund for ATI

    Consider giving to The Ohio State Fund for the Agricultural Technical Institute (#303349), which supports programs and activities with potential to generate additional funding and create a positive and supportive work environment, and perpetuate a positive community image of ATI. Recently, the fund helped students organize the Collegiate Future Farmers of America (CFFA) Leadership Conference Dinner, where 55 attendees heard from industry speakers  on various topics related to their career goals.