Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, Alumni Association Board of Directors affirm their support of President Nellis and his leadership team
To the Ohio University Community:
We, the Trustees of The Ohio University Foundation—the fundraising arm of Ohio University—and the Directors of the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors, write to affirm our support for Ohio University’s 21st President, and voting Foundation Trustee, M. Duane Nellis and his leadership team, which includes CFO and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Deborah Shaffer, who also serves as a voting Foundation Trustee.
Casey Christopher ’02
Chair, The Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors
Founded in 1945 by then-President John C. Baker, The Foundation serves as the non-profit repository for all charitable gifts in support of the University’s students, faculty, programs, and facilities. Its Trustees uphold the mission of “philanthropy in support of education”; serve as fiduciaries of the University’s endowment and unrestricted resources; support and monitor the work of the Division of University Advancement; and oversee the University’ major fundraising campaigns. The Alumni Association Board of Directors represents and engages the University’s nearly 250,000 graduates worldwide. The Directors serve to uphold the Association’s mission—to advance Ohio University through meaningful lifetime engagement of its alumni base.
In the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Foundation Trustees and Association Directors recognize that University leadership has had to make difficult decisions in the interest of the health and safety of the University’s students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. As this pandemic impacts communities around the globe and every sector of the economy, institutions of higher education face challenges that require quick and decisive action in order to secure their futures. Ohio University is not immune from these difficult decisions.
Perry Sook ’80
Chair, The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees
The Trustees of The Ohio University Foundation and the Directors of the Alumni Association recognize that, since assuming Ohio University’s presidency in 2017, President Nellis has worked collaboratively to define and implement a strategic framework designed to strengthen and unite the University’s campuses, academic strategy, and ensure accountability for student success, quality of experience, and physical footprint. Consistent, collaborative, transparent, and passionate leadership have been hallmarks of this presidency, and the Foundation Trustees and Association Directors acknowledge that President Nellis and the Board of Trustees remain committed to making the strategic, though sometimes difficult, decisions required to ensure the University’s future.
At 216 years old, Ohio University has endured crises in its past. Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, it was clear that Ohio University would be required to adapt and evolve in order to meet future challenges in the higher education landscape—and these plans were well underway. The pandemic has altered the University’s operations and financial position in ways previously unimaginable. The Foundation is confident in the steady, decisive, and collaborative leadership President Nellis and his administration are affording Ohio’s first and finest university.
On Monday, May 11, The Ohio University Board of Trustees publicly affirmed its continued support for President Nellis and his leadership team in this press release. The Trustees of The Ohio University Foundation and the Directors of the Alumni Association support the Ohio University Board of Trustees’ statement.
The Foundation and its Trustees and the Association and its Directors are committed to supporting Ohio University’s leadership by continuing to secure “philanthropy in support of education” through this crisis and beyond.
Casey Christopher ’02
Chair,The Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors
Perry Sook ’80
Chair,The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees