Ohio State awards philanthropic honors to Skestoses, Baumgardner and Shockey

4 of The Ohio State College’s most dedicated and beneficiant supporters had been acknowledged final week with the establishment’s highest awards for philanthropy and volunteerism.

George and Justine “Tina” Skestos acquired the Everett D. Reese Medal, the college’s highest honor in recognition of remarkable service in personal philanthropy. This 12 months, two honorees —Catherine Baumgardner and Georgie Shockey — had been named recipients of the John B. Gerlach Sr. Improvement Volunteer Award, recognizing nice dedication and private funding in college fundraising efforts.

“The phrase ‘philanthropy’ has its roots within the Greek and Latin phrases for ‘kindness, benevolence, and love of humankind,’ and I can’t consider higher exemplars of those worthy traits than George and Tina Skestos, Catherine Baumgardner and Georgie Shockey,” mentioned President Kristina M. Johnson. “Their generosity and imaginative and prescient is advancing our researchers’ improvements, energizing our college and inspiring our college students to intention for — and obtain — their highest academic aspirations by scholarships. We’re grateful for his or her ongoing dedication to, and help of, Ohio State, and can proceed to attempt to fulfill the excessive requirements they’ve set.”

Over almost 4 a long time, George and Tina Skestos have supported efforts all through Ohio State. George Skestos served on the college Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2001, which included one 12 months as chair. Throughout that point, the college launched into improvement of the athletic campus, together with the Jerome Schottenstein Middle, Invoice Davis Stadium and the renovation of Ohio Stadium.

He additionally served on the boards of College Hospital, College Hospital East and the Wexner Medical Middle for 23 years, and was instrumental in founding the Government Well being Program and buying buildings and plans for Ohio State East Hospital and CarePoint East.

The Skestoses are bolstering the instructing, analysis and scientific applications of the Faculty of Veterinary Medication. The school collaborated with and supplied steering to them as they launched into establishing Gigi’s Canine Shelter, whose mission focuses on giving canines in rural shelters entry to high-quality care.

Nonagenarian George Skestos is pushed by mental curiosity. Although he isn’t a graduate of Ohio State — however somewhat “That College Up North” — he has pursued many lifelong studying choices by the college.

“Along with the buildings, I want to depart the workers and college students the knowledge that I realized throughout my time as a trustee,” he mentioned. “Ohio State lets you create your individual path. The chance is there for the taking. Do as I did: Attain out and grasp it.”

Engaged with the college in a volunteer capability for a few years, Baumgardner served on many committees and the Alumni Advisory Council earlier than being chosen to serve on the Alumni Affiliation Board of Administrators. She was elected to a two-year time period as chair in 2019, and whereas guaranteeing the board remained remarkably productive all through the pandemic, she led throughout transitions of the alumni affiliation president and CEO and college president.

Baumgardner has loyally given to areas throughout the college for 3 a long time, together with making a scholarship in honor of her mother and father, the Styrcula-Zavatsky Household Girls & Philanthropy Scholarship Fund.

“I hope to encourage others to present their time, expertise and treasure, too, as they outline their very own Buckeye traditions and legacies,” Baumgardner mentioned. “My Ohio State volunteer journey has been the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to see what lies forward.”

For greater than 20 years, Georgie Shockey has devoted her time {and professional} experience to the Alumni Affiliation and the Faculty of Training and Human Ecology — she is a graduate of the faculty, with a level in diet.

Shockey has been actively engaged in previous and present fundraising endeavors. As a director on the Basis Board, she continues to assist encourage the group towards new fundraising heights as a part of Time and Change: The Ohio State Marketing campaign.

A longtime beneficiant contributor to pupil scholarships, she can also be dedicated to Ohio State’s efforts within the battle in opposition to most cancers and to defending the ice core samples within the Byrd Polar and Local weather Analysis Middle.

“From my background in diet to supporting the way forward for ice cores that maintain the secrets and techniques to local weather and medical insights — it may all solely be accomplished at an establishment as numerous as Ohio State,” Shockey mentioned. “The ability of giving and advocating for this college may be very a lot a spotlight for me, and I hope to proceed to serve on this approach for years to return.”

“George, Tina, Catherine and Georgie are mannequin leaders who care deeply about Ohio State and the folks we serve. Their important contributions will result in a brighter future for us all,” mentioned Michael C. Eicher, Ohio State’s senior vp for Development and president of The Ohio State College Basis. “Our college is without end modified due to their philanthropic help and beneficiant funding of time.”