Hollywood Bowl event brings together Bobcat alumni, students and leadership
Students enrolled in this semester’s OHIO-in-LA Program pose for a photo with Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis during the Sept. 8 OHIO Alumni Night at the Hollywood Bowl. Photo by Shiji Zhou
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s annual OHIO Alumni Night at the Hollywood Bowl brought together past and present Bobcats as well as Bobcat leadership for an evening of fun, food and fellowship under the L.A. stars.
Ninety individuals attended the sold-out event, which was held at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Bowl venue. Along with a festive picnic, attendees were treated to a concert featuring Harry Connick Jr. and celebrating New Orleans’ 300th birthday.
Los Angeles-area Bobcats and friends of Ohio University enjoy a picnic under palm trees at the annual OHIO Alumni Night at the Hollywood Bowl. Photo by Zack Gilanyi, BSC ’15
But the biggest Bobcat draw to this Big Easy Bash was Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis and First Lady Ruthie Nellis who were attending their first gathering with Los Angeles-area OHIO alumni. President Nellis shared his vision and some of his goals for the University and was joined by Nico Karagosian, vice president for University Advancement and president and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation, and Erin Essak Kopp, the new assistant vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the OHIO Alumni Association.
“Ruthie and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know members of our Bobcat family in the Los Angeles area,” said President Nellis. “Our Greater Los Angeles Alumni Chapter has done some outstanding work in not only building a thriving Bobcat community on our nation’s West Coast but also in connecting with the students, faculty and staff in our OHIO-in-LA Program.”
Among those attending this year’s Hollywood Bowl event were the 20 students enrolled this semester in the OHIO-in-LA Program, an immersive experiential learning experience designed for Bobcats interested in the media and entertainment industries. The evening allowed those students to interact with both OHIO alumni and President Nellis.
Roger Cooper, director of the OHIO-in-LA Program, wanted to take students to the event so that they could be more involved with the alumni chapter. Several Los Angeles-area alumni serve as “big sibs” for the OHIO-in-LA Program, mentoring students and serving as a Bobcat connection.
“For our students, coming from Ohio and new to L.A. and seeing how many successful alumni are out here is really impactful,” Cooper said. “So much about the entertainment industry is building relationships and connecting with people. I feel like our Bobcat network out here is just the best anywhere. They are always so helpful and so welcoming.”
As for the future of the popular OHIO Alumni Night at the Hollywood Bowl event, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter hopes to receive just as much positive feedback next year. Gretchen Douglass, BFA ’98, past president of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, noted how thrilled the alumni were to have President Nellis attend the event.
“This is our signature event for this chapter,” Douglass said. “Our alumni definitely look forward to it every year, and the president made it a lot more special.”
For more information about the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, contact Chapter President BaoKim Coleman, MBA ’03, at baokim1313@gmail.com, or visit the chapter’s Facebook page.