Title
To Recognize The King Arts Complex’s 15th Annual Legends & Legacies Award Ceremony and Reception, honoring Ohio State’s Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam, MD; Senior Vice President for the Office of Student Life Melissa Shivers, PhD; and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director Gene Smith.
Body
WHEREAS, since 2007, The King Arts Complex has recognized and celebrated the rich and diverse contributions of Americans by paying tribute to local, regional & national individuals that have shown commitment to human rights, cultural democracy, artistic excellence, education and service. They serve as catalyst for change and empowerment and their actions have influenced and impacted their community, city, state and or nation by philanthropy, commitment to community, service, leadership, preservation, creativity, and vision.
WHEREAS, Provost Melissa Gilliam serves as the chief academic officer at Ohio State; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gilliam oversees an academic enterprise that includes 15 colleges, over 7,500 faculty and 67,000 students on six campuses; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Melissa Shivers leads student life on Ohio State’s main campus and has broad leadership responsibility for numerous University operations; and
WHEREAS, more than 35 student service-centered departments report to Dr. Shivers including the residential experience, dining services, the Ohio Union, student leadership and services, and more; and
WHEREAS, Gene Smith, has served as OSU’s Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director for more than eighteen years; and
WHEREAS, Gene Smith directs the nation’s largest and one of the best athletic programs while also leading the university’s business advancement unit.
BE IT RESOLVED THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this council does hereby recognize distinguished professional careers and strategic leadership of OSU Provost Melissa Gilliam, Melissa Shivers, PhD; and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director Gene Smith. We salute these inspirational African American role models whose careers span medicine, higher education administration, intercollegiate athletics and beyond. Gilliam, Shivers and Smith are setting the next course for The Ohio State University, and we could not be prouder to honor and celebrate their leadership.