1804 Fund provides $295K in support for research and teaching initiatives
The trustees of The Ohio University Foundation have awarded $295,077 from the 1804 Fund to nine faculty research, graduate studies, and undergraduate learning initiatives.
An endowment established in 1979 from the estate of alumnus C. Paul Stocker, the 1804 Fund has provided Ohio University with enriched learning opportunities while supporting OHIO’s mission of “maintaining, strengthening, and enhancing a learning-centered community.” Since the first grants were awarded in 1980, the 1804 Fund has supported more than 600 OHIO projects and programs and provided more than $15 million to efforts that have elevated the academic excellence of Ohio University.
For the 2020-2021 academic year, funding was awarded to seven undergraduate learning proposals and two joint undergraduate learning/research and graduate studies proposals. This year, several of the proposals were responsive to the FY20 priority call for proposals that support the university’s initiative to revise its general education program.
UNDERGRADUATE PROPOSALS
Nursing BRIDGING the Way for General Education
Applicants: Sherleena Buckman, Melvina Brandau, Mashawna Hamilton, Molly Johnson
Funding: $24,948
This 1804 proposal seeks funding for the creation, delivery, and maintenance of four master Bridges courses for general education. This proposal aims to contribute to Ohio University’s revision of the general education program through a curriculum development project. Three main goals include: 1) curriculum design and development of four separate bridges courses, 2) creation of master course “shells” for each general education course, and 3) a commitment from School of Nursing faculty to serve as the subject matter experts. This project will result in the realization of general education reform, providing students with a strong academic foundation for success.
Student Retention and Engagement: Designing Curricular Supports for the First-year Dance Major
Applicant: Christi Camper Moore
Funding: $6,000
The effects of dance training practices in academia are largely unexplored and undocumented. Although dancers’ descriptions of their experiences are limited, available information suggests that dance training can be distressing, with a significant drop-out rate among dance majors in the U.S. This 1804 project will implement curricular supports to specifically address retention and engagement of first-year dance majors and to cultivate relationships and connections for students matriculating through the School of Dance more generally. The project is aimed at helping undergraduate students more fully participate in their education and be work ready in a rapidly evolving economy.
Teaching Undergraduate Nursing Students Principles of Patient Safety with the Use of Intravenous Smart Pumps
Applicants: Susan Farus-Brown, Teresa Polen
Funding: $11,811
This proposal seeks funding for eight intravenous smart pumps systems. The attainment of these systems will provide nursing students with the most current technology to meet the industry standard of care. These systems are recommended by safety experts to prevent errors in intravenous medication administration. This technology will help to prepare students for safe practices prior to entering the clinical environment. This teaching tool will foster a superior undergraduate experience, attract and retain new students, as well as develop critical thinking.
VisCom Reimagining GenEd Curriculum
Applicants: Timothy Goheen, Stan Alost, Julie Elman
Funding: $8,466
With Ohio University Foundation’s core mission of maintaining, strengthening, and enhancing a learning-centered community in mind, the School of Visual Communication (VisCom) is seeking funding for faculty to develop curriculum that aligns with the university’s new Reimagining General Education model, with the goal of meeting the deadline set forth by President M. Duane Nellis of fall 2021. VisCom faculty envision funding from the 1804 Fund as an opportunity to work over summer to provide reimagined, new, clear, and meaningful courses that will continue to provide distinctive skills for students seeking a career in the visual communication industry.
Collaborative Arches Initiative
Applicant: Sarah Poggione
Funding: $25,000
To enhance undergraduate learning, this proposal seeks funding for faculty and staff collaboration across Athens colleges and Regional Higher Education for developing Arches proposals for the new OHIO BRICKS. Based on information about the needs of students across the system, 35 to 40 faculty recruited from different disciplinary backgrounds, colleges, and campuses will meet primarily during the summer of 2020 to develop five to seven Arches to serve the needs of undergraduate students, particularly those in restrictive majors with little flexibility. These early proposals will serve as examples for other Arches and allow faculty representing such restrictive majors to participate directly in the development of Arches.
Veterans Lounge
Applicant: Terry St. Peter
Funding: $25,000
The Veterans and Military Student Services Center seeks to establish a dedicated student veterans lounge. A dedicated area for this population will provide a safe place for veterans to remove themselves from environmental triggers and enable them to connect with others who have had similar experiences. It provides a place where they can concentrate without distraction on their academics. A veterans lounge will significantly enhance the educational experience of the student veteran population. A proposal was approved (2016), but not completed due to lack of space. In October 2019, space was approved for the Veterans Lounge in Lindley Hall.
Globalizing General Education: Addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals with BRICKS
Applicants: Edna Wagnui, Catherine Cutcher, Pittaya Paladroi-Shane
Funding: $16,240
This proposal seeks to take a major step toward systematically globalizing general education at Ohio University. It has two broad objectives. First, the team will develop curriculum that brings the UN-SDGs into the classroom through BRICKS. The team will bring together faculty to develop the following three Arches that line up with the UN-SDGs: global inequalities, peace and justice, and global food systems and security. The second objective targets the undergraduate curriculum in the Center for International Studies (CIS). The team will align 12 of the World Language classes with Bridges common goals, create a Capstone course, and seek OTM approval for 10 CIS courses.
JOINT UNDERGRADUATE LEARNING/RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES PROPOSALS
OU’s First Training-friendly HPC Genomic Cluster
Applicants: Diego Alvarado-Serrano, Ronan Carroll, Shawn Kuchta, Bill Broach, Sarah Wyatt, John Schenk
Funding: $77,612
The Genomic Era has revolutionized the life sciences and significantly broadened the scope and depth of research across a wide range of disciplines. However, incorporation of genomic data and analyses in education and research is hindered by both limited bioinformatics expertise and lack of entry-level computational resources. To address this challenge, the team proposes the establishment of a small local High-Performance Computing cluster, coupled with the development of a formal “Personal Genomics” undergraduate/graduate class and an introductory genomics workshop for faculty and graduate students. This facility will enhance undergraduate experiential learning and boost research capabilities and competitiveness for extramural funding.
Professional Sound System Package for Contemporary Audiences
Applicants: Steven Leffue
Funding: $100,000
Within the context of the School of Theater’s 11 accredited professional training programs, technology for live sound design is rapidly transitioning from analogue to digital and networked platforms; students must be familiar with this equipment to qualify for jobs upon graduation. The School of Theater proposes to update its sound equipment inventory to meet the needs of departmental growth and technological advances. This purchase will replace current gear, which has succumbed to wear and tear; provide students with research tools that are currently unavailable; and provide resources that prepare students for the field in which they are studying. Funding of this proposal will ensure that students at Ohio University work with and form a critical understanding of contemporary digital technology.
Learn more about Ohio University’s 1804 Fund.