North Columbus News

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Thursday highlighted and approved multiple items to advance the university’s research and teaching success.

Chief among them is the awarding of $26 million in federal funding to initiate natural rubber production in the United States and enhance workforce development. The funds, provided by the National Science Foundation, will establish the “Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security” (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center. This first round of funding spans five years, with a potential renewal for an additional $26 million over another five years.

TARDISS will consist of academic partners supported by industry stakeholders. Judit Puskas, professor of food, agricultural and biological engineering (FABE), will serve as the principal investigator and lead the center along with its director, Ajay Shah, also a professor in FABE.

The board also recognized Puskas for being named a Distinguished University Professor—the highest faculty honor at Ohio State. Puskas joined the university’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Wooster campus in 2019 and is renowned as a polymer expert.

President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. acknowledged the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation’s $10 million commitment to the College of Veterinary Medicine in memory of Rita Wolfe. This gift establishes the Rita Jean Wolfe Deanship aimed at creating sustainable excellence in veterinary medicine.

Carter introduced a new initiative called "Listen. Learn. Discuss." which provides tools to foster respectful dialogue within the university community.

He noted that Ohio State received a record 80,000 applications for admission, expecting one of its largest incoming classes ever. “Strong enrollment like this shows that something special is happening here at Ohio State,” he said.

During their meeting, trustees approved various resolutions including:

- Resolutions in Memoriam for four professors emeriti who passed away recently.

- An amendment to the bylaws of the Board of Trustees.

- Personnel actions including appointments and extensions across different colleges within Ohio State.

- Amendments to contracts for athletics coaches Ryan Day and Kevin McGuff.

- A performance review and compensation adjustment for President Carter.

- Approval of capital investment plans for fiscal year 2025.

- Authorization for professional services and construction contracts related to several university projects.

- Approval for purchasing real property at 1165 Kinnear Road.

- An amendment to clarify aspects of the university’s investment policy.

Additionally, trustees approved naming internal spaces within various university buildings after donors and notable individuals.