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The 51���� Board of Trustees learned about the growing national impact of OHIO’s carbon materials research and commercialization, as well as received an update regarding fundraising and alumni engagement following the University’s most recent, record-breaking Giving Day, during their April meetings on the Athens campus.

Vice President for Finance & Administration, CFO and Treasurer David B. Moore also provided the Board with a brief update on the FY25 financial forecast.

During the President’s report, President Lori Stewart Gonzalez shared how University leadership attended the EAB (Educational Advisory Board) VIP Day in Washington, D.C., where they explored major trends in higher education and the potential impacts on OHIO’s future. She shared that there were discussions centered around enrollment challenges, upcoming shifts in federal policy and broader, transformative ideas to improve individual lives and expand the University’s research footprint.

She spoke about the recent Higher Learning Commission (HLC) peer review visit, in which OHIO hosted a review team as part of its 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation process in late March. The reviewers identified financial considerations across University operations as the primary area of focus and engaged with faculty, staff and students across campus. Initial feedback on the visit was positive, and a final decision regarding reaffirmation of accreditation is expected by September.

Gonzalez also highlighted the speakers for this spring’s commencement ceremonies, including OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology Assistant Professor Dr. Brian Wisner who will address graduate students and John Gainor, former President and CEO of International Dairy Queen who will serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker. She also noted that an honorary degree will be awarded to David Butcher, curator of the Tablertown Museum.

Several members of the Board of Trustees were also recognized for their service, including Steve Casciani, student trustee Garrett Meek, and Diane Smullen, all of whom are concluding their terms on the Board.

Additional highlights from the April 2025 Board of Trustees meetings included:

Carbon Materials Research
Dr. Jason Trembly, Russ Endowed Chair and director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, shared with the Board an overview of carbon materials research currently happening at OHIO and how the University continues to play a growing role nationally in this important research space.

The presentation outlined the “built environment,” highlighting the associated challenges and emphasizing the unique opportunities available to Appalachia. Trembly also introduced the carbon materials research team, showcasing their achievements to date and discussing their future goals and ambitions. He noted that a key strength of the team lies in their multidisciplinary expertise, which spans from atomic-level material science to real-world industrial application. He also included how since 2020, they’ve graduated seven doctoral students, two master’s students and several undergraduate researchers.

Trembly also demonstrated the importance of carbon materials and OHIO’s research and development leadership in this area, sharing that what sets their approach apart is their use of regional waste resources, saying the area contains approximately 600 legacy impoundments with significant unrealized value and that by leveraging the high carbon content in these materials and transforming them into valuable new products, we can both meet future material needs and remediate long-standing environmental issues.

He also shared how their work is no longer confined to the lab but is being licensed and installed in locations such as the Oglebay Good Zoo, West Liberty State University and the Muskingum Watershed District and that since 2019, they’ve secured over $17 million in research funding.

According to Trembly, next steps for the carbon research includes receiving a $450,000 planning grant from the State of Ohio, developing a strategic roadmap for carbon materials science, hiring an innovation ecosystem consultant, hosting a national workshop on carbon materials, continuing advocacy for federal investment in energy and environmental research and design and expanding and deepening industry partnerships.

Center for Law, Justice and Culture Presentation
The Board engaged with students from OHIO’s Center for Law, Justice and Culture (CLJC), learning from them about the numerous curricular and extracurricular programs related to the study of law and society.

During their presentation, the students which included Anthony Banks, Ava Poling, Riley Sargent and Grady Speegle, as well as Dr. Kevin Uhalde, director of the Center for Law, Justice and Culture and associate professor of History, and Larry Hayman, director of Legal Engagement and the Pre-Law Program in the Center for Law, Justice, and Culture, highlighted the multiple ways the CLJC offers student experiential learning opportunities and prepares them for careers in related fields.

The students spoke on how the CLJC curricular offerings blend interdisciplinary study with experiential learning opportunities focused on law and justice, including popular study abroad programs in Northern Ireland; how the CLJC provides expert advising, professional experience, and recruitment for students interested in legal careers through programs such as the Summer Law and Trial Institute, the award-winning Mock Trial Team, and the Law School Application Support Fund; as well as how the CLJC launched its pilot Pre-Law Mentorship Program in coordination with the 51���� Alumni Association, the first such program in the College of Arts and Sciences. They also emphasized how the center prepares students both academically and financially for applying to law school.

Dynamic Strategy Update
Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Donald Leo and Vice President for University Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver presented on the metrics that will enable OHIO to monitor the implementation and progress of Dynamic Strategy.

Leo and Oliver provided an overview of the current Dynamic Strategy timeline, sharing information about the Pillar Executive Leadership Teams, and providing an overview of the advisory committee that is guiding the implementation.

The presentation gave an overview of the performance metrics for the four Dynamic Strategy Pillars, sharing how the metrics were established, how they plan to track the progress and how they plan to measure the success. For each metric they provided the rationale behind its selection and its relation to achieving the overall Pillar goal.

They shared initiatives that are underway in each pillar as well, including: Learn, in which OHIO has invested $100,000 in the OHIO Experience Award, a significant step toward supporting student access and success; Discover, in which OHIO has approved 15 new tenure-track faculty lines for the 2025–2026 academic year and how to date, 12 of these 15 positions have already been filled; Engage, in which OHIO has made meaningful progress in building a comprehensive alumni mentoring and coaching framework; and Work, in which OHIO has made a two-year commitment to freeze the cost of employee benefits, resulting in significant savings for faculty and staff.

Enrollment Update
The Board also received an enrollment update from Vice President of Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger, highlighting the University’s positive student return rate from fall to spring, noting that OHIO’s spring preliminary census enrollment came in ahead of spring 2024 by approximately 4 percent. She also shared how the University is continues to see strength in the undergraduate population in Athens, stabilization in the new RN-to-BSN enrollments, and increases in non-nursing online undergraduate students. Additionally, regional and medical enrollment levels remain stable.

Boeninger added that looking ahead to Fall 2025, it’s still a bit early to give a definitive picture of enrollment — especially with May 1, better known as Decision Day, just around the corner, however, current signs are promising, and OHIO is seeing strong interest.

She also noted that the last year’s FAFSA Simplification changes have largely settled, with numbers of FAFSAs received and processed significantly rebounded compared to the same point in time last year.

Boeninger provided the Board with a look at the Strategic Enrollment Planning process as well, including that a steering group is currently assessing the current state of total enrollment at OHIO and is engaged in conversation focused on identifying growth and optimization strategies across the areas of graduate, regional campus, online and Athens undergraduate enrollment. 

University Advancement: Fundraising and Engagement Report
Vice President of University Advancement and President & CEO of The 51���� Foundation Greg Simmons provided the Board with a fundraising and engagement report that gave insight into strategic Advancement priorities and reported on key fundraising and engagement activity in support of OHIO.

Simmons noted that the University is making strong progress toward its annual fundraising goal of $55 million, having already secured $43.75 million in commitments this year, with an additional $10 million in agreements nearing finalization. He shared that this goal is being made possible with support from over 15,000 donors and that there's an ongoing conversation about how these fundraising goals are set, balancing annual objectives with long-term, transformational opportunities that align with the institution’s broader mission. According to Simmons, nearly 90% of funds raised are supporting the academic mission, with most contributions directed toward specific funds benefiting students and faculty.

He also shared with the Board that as of Dec. 31, the University's endowment stood at $802 million, with $26.6 million available for programs in the current fiscal year. In addition, Simmons presented on engagement metrics using the CASE framework, which tracks alumni interaction through volunteering, experiences, communication and philanthropy. OHIO is among the early institutions adopting this model, with a current engagement rate of 22.7% for FY24.

Student Investment Programs Update
Professor of Finance and Manager of the investment groups David Stowe and several students from the Student Investment Group updated the Board on the performance and progress of the OHIO Student Investment Programs, two 51���� student organizations that manage $13.5 million (as of 12/31/2024) of the University's long-term working capital pool.

The two groups include the Student Equity Management Group (SEMG), and the Fixed Income Management Group (FIMG).

According to Stowe and the students, the organizations continue to operate professionally with a strong student-centered approach, providing members with valuable skills and experiences. The programs deliver a unique, industry-leading learning experience that equips students to be highly competitive in the job market. The students shared how this semester, they have focused on strengthening alumni engagement, which has included a networking trip to New York City, meetings with alumni and planning an on-campus alumni event. They noted how these connections are helping them leverage industry expertise—particularly in areas like fixed income investing—to outperform benchmarks and position portfolios effectively in response to market shifts.

In terms of portfolio performance, the group manages both a traditional and a sustainable portfolio. The traditional portfolio follows a standard S&P model, while the sustainable portfolio incorporates ESG scoring and mandates. Recent performance has been bolstered by strong returns from the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks, and the sustainable portfolio has slightly outperformed the traditional one by 0.16%. They also presented five-year cumulative growth data and detailed each team member’s role within the fixed income management group.

Capital Projects 
The Board approved several new capital projects, including: 

• 51���� Zanesville HVAC and Energy Efficiency Improvements Phase II - The Board approved a resolution for the continuation of the work started in Phase I by replacing outdated HVAC and electrical components to address deferred maintenance needs in Elson Hall and Herrold Hall. This upgrade will ensure system reliability, reduce operating costs and improve occupant comfort. This $2.8 million project will be funded with State Capital Appropriations.
• 51���� Lancaster Brasee Hall Nursing Renovations Phase III – The Board approved a resolution to approve converting rooms 401, 402, 408, 409 and 410 in Brasee Hall into a Nursing instructional lab, simulation lab and classroom space. The enhanced campus facilities resulting from this project will support continued growth in the Nursing program to meet regional health care needs. This $996,450 project will be funded with Regional Higher Education Departmental Reserves.

In other business, the Board also approved:

• To elect Matthew Evans as Chair of the Board of Trustees to fulfil the remainder of Chair Casciani’s term (April 19, 2025, to May 13, 2025), and for the year beginning May 14, 2025, and ending May 13, 2026.
• To elect Cynthia Calhoun Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees to fulfill the remainder of former Vice Chair Borgemenke’s term ending May 13, 2025, and for the year beginning May 14, 2025, and ending May 13, 2026.
• To elect Lorrie Platt Second Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees to fulfill the remainder of Second Vice Chair Evans’ term (April 19, 2025, to May 13, 2025), and for the year beginning May 14, 2025, and ending May 13, 2026.
• To increase existing course fees by 12% on Aviation flight courses to cover inflationary costs in fuel, parts, labor and personnel related to flight instruction.
• To designate the property located at 1606 SO 11th Street in Ironton, Ohio as surplus property.
• To establish University quasi-endowments for the Ohio Heritage Foundation Primary Care Endowed Scholarship and the Heritage College Student Scholarship matching funds.
• To amend the Memorandum of Agreement between 51���� and the 51���� Foundation.
• To amend the Board of Trustees bylaws to be that it is at the discretion of the Board Chair on whether there be a Second Vice-Chair.
• To amend the 457(b) Voluntary Retirement Plan.