Nominations open for 2023 Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship

The Ohio University Research Division is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship.

The Ohio University Foundation established the award to recognize current and former faculty members, students and alumni who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, invention, commercialization and entrepreneurship.

Nominations should consist of a letter and an optional appendix of supporting documentation. Entries should address, and will be judged by the degree to which they establish, a record of demonstrated excellence in innovation, invention, commercialization and entrepreneurship by the nominee. Submissions should be sent electronically to David Koonce, interim vice president for research and creative activity, at research@ohio.edu.

The deadline for nominations for the 2023 award cycle is Jan. 19, 2024. The selection committee, which is chaired by the interim vice president, will include the director of the Technology Transfer Office, one dean and two faculty members. The committee will make its selection by Feb. 16, 2024. Up to three awards may be given per year. The Konneker Medal will be presented to the recipient(s) in spring 2024.

The award is named for Wilfred Konneker, an Ohio University alumnus with a distinguished record in research and entrepreneurship. Konneker received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1943 and his master’s degree in physics in 1947. He received a doctoral degree in nuclear physics from Washington University in 1950. The alumnus founded the Nuclear Consultants Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri, and either founded or co-founded six additional high-tech start-up companies.

Konneker was instrumental in the establishment of Ohio University’s small business incubator, the Innovation Center, as well as the university biotechnology spin-off company Diagnostic Hybrids Inc. He was also one of the principal architects of the Cutler Scholars program. The research laboratories housing the Edison Biotechnology Institute at The Ridges were named in his honor to recognize his leadership and service. The Konneker Alumni Center also was named for the alumnus and his wife, Ann Lee. In addition, Konneker was a member of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.

This OHIO webpage provides information on past recipients of the Konneker Medal.

For more information about the Konneker Medal, please contact the Research Division at research@ohio.edu or 740-593-0370.