May 27, 2011
Posted by gavazzi.1 in Dean's message
Created on May 27, 2011 at 1:31pm
And tagged with: Ohio State Mansfield
“The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be; all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.” (Socrates)
Hello everyone,
Yesterday evening, I had the privilege of providing introductory remarks for the 2010-2011 Academic Year Honors Convocation held in Riedl Hall, meant to honor the best and finest scholarly efforts here on the campus of The Ohio State University at Mansfield. The students that we heard about throughout the awards ceremony clearly had been spending their time and energy doing great and wonderful things. In one sense, it was clear that the activities these budding scholars had been engaged in over the past year significantly increased their academic abilities and their knowledge base. At the same time, however, the testimonies given by their nominating sponsors just as clearly indicated that these activities were instrumental in strengthening the essential character of these students as well.
Although many students won awards, I must mention Marissa Baker, Derek Bryan, Lyndsee Cooper, and Sarah Galat, who were this year’s Presidential Salute to Undergraduate Achievement Award winners (all of these students also won additional individual awards). Further, Marissa, Derek, and Lyndsee all had participated in the Forum on Student Research and Scholarly Activity that had immediately preceded the award ceremony. Approximately 20 students had participated in this forum, a number that I expect will grow exponentially in the coming years. I was impressed both with the high level of preparedness of the students and the sophistication of their projects. Please join me in thanking Professor Ozeas Costa for the tremendous amount of time and effort he expended in making the Forum such as success for the students and their faculty mentors!
I started this Dean’s List with a quote from Socrates, the Greek philosopher who of course is most well-known for his methods of teaching. I mention this because yesterday’s presentation also recognized two professors – Noah Comet and Ed Wachtel – who were recognized for their outstanding teaching abilities. These teaching awards are especially significant because they reflect the will (and the votes!) of our students. And we should all bask in the honorific glow of these colleagues. After all, where would any of us be without the great teachers in our lives? Outstanding teachers light the match that starts the fire, the burning desire, to learn.
So remember to congratulate our student and faculty award winners next time you see them. And in the meantime, as always please take the time to enjoy the weekend with family and friends!
Steve Gavazzi