Exploring the Dream of Higher Education
Area minority students recently had an opportunity to investigate what life as a college student would be like.
Pamela Thomas of OSU Columbus explains campus life to students.
Dean Evelyn Freeman (center) and Human Resources Officer Cathy Stimpert (left) greet Ocie Hill chaperon Ray Thompson
A group of Mansfield Senior High students and their parents spent the day at campus learning about applying to college, costs and financial aid, the campus experience, and issues of diversity and culture.
The first-ever conference, titled “Empowerment: Preparing Minority Students for Success in Higher Education,” hosted 9th through 12th graders for a full-day experience. Following comments by Dr. Evelyn Freeman, dean and director of OSU Mansfield, participants were divided into groups to attend breakout sessions. A special session for parents addressed how to help their children to successfully prepare for college and to learn about ways to finance higher education.
“We hope for today’s program to begin a continuing conversation between students and parents about educational success in high school and college,” saidAustin McCoy, graduate assistant and conference coordinator. “We want students to gain insight into what it takes to achieve their goals.”
At the end of the day, everyone was invited to relax at the Mansfield Mavericks basketball game.
OSU-M Board Member Wants Best for Students
OSU Mansfield trustee John S. Jordan has always been concerned about the ability of students to pay for college tuition. When asked in the mid-1990s to lend his name to an endowed fund to provide scholarships for minority students attending the campus, Jordan readily agreed. The fund-raising effort that followed led to more than $30,000 in gifts, and the earnings now provide numerous scholarships to qualified students each year.
“I am very gratified by the gifts from my company, several fellow executives and many friends to this needed scholarship fund,” said Jordan. “My wife and I have, for many years, helped needy minority students, however, this scholarship fund has allowed a more comprehensive method of providing help.”
Jordan has served on the OSU-M Board of Trustees for four years. Now retired from corporate life, Jordan formerly worked for Cleveland Pneumatic as vice president of human resources. He has served on a number of Mansfield area boards and was named recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Mansfield Jaycees.
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree at Wilberforce University, Jordan attended Cleveland Marshall Law School, the Wharton School of Business, and did graduate work at the University of Michigan. He and wife, Ann, have two children.
Individuals interested in making donations to the John S. Jordan Fund at OSU Mansfield should call Nick Orosan, OSU-M Development Officer, at 419-755-3913.