Title
To honor Dr. Melinda Wright upon her retirement from The Ohio State University and recognize her for her extensive contributions to the fields of service-learning and education outreach.
Body
WHEREAS, Dr. Melinda Wright graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and mathematics. She earned her Master's degree in English from Brown University in 1978. She earned her Ph.D. in English, Rhetoric and Composition from The Ohio State University in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wright currently serves as Assistant Provost for the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Education. She began working at The Ohio State University in 1982 in the Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Program where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, trained teachers, conducted programmatic research assessments and developed curricula including two service-learning partnerships with local schools. Dr. Wright became assistant director of the program in 1987 and served as director from 1987-2007; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wright's work also focused significantly on education outreach. From 2001-2002, she was the interim Director of Outreach for the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing, From 2002-2006, she was a consultant in the University Outreach and Engagement Office and during that time served on national planning committees for the Outreach Scholarship Conference; and
WHEREAS, a pioneer in service-learning, Dr. Wright was instrumental in developing many service-learning courses and initiatives. She led a university-wide team that received a $1.6 million grant from the Board of Regents to create more than 400 new internships with 82 employers. She also established the Office of Community Partnerships to connect community organizations and non-profit leaders with faculty, staff and students through curriculum, student internships and collaborative projects; and
WHEREAS, as a testament to her work, Dr. Wright received numerous recognitions and grants. She was a finalist for the 2008 Ohio Campus Compact David Hoch Award and received the President's Council on Outreach and Engagement Award and the OSU Critical Difference for Women Professional Development Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wright devoted much of her time to community service. On campus, she serves as a member of the Literacy Studies Executive Committee, the Service Learning Initiative Advisory Committee, the ASC Middle Childhood Education Advisory Committee, the Metro School Partnership Board, and the Economic Access Roundtable. Off campus, she serves on boards and committees for a variety of organizations including the Children's Hunger Alliance, Community Research Partners, the Columbus Metropolitan Club, the United Way Women's Leadership Council, the Columbus Literacy Council and the Columbus Museum of Art; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wright will retire after more than 30 years at The Ohio State University. Dr. Wright's contributions to the field of education are innumerable. Her service to the Columbus community has been marked by exceptional dedication, creativity and leadership; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council does hereby recognize and commend Dr. Melinda Wright upon the occasion of her retirement and thank her for her outstanding contributions to the Columbus community.