By Archie Griffin

The last time I wrote in this space I shared some information about Ohio State’s Celebrating Alumni initiative. Months later, I’m happy to report that the effort has been successful in a number of ways.

Our online content has featured more than 230 alumni individually and many more who shared their memories of Ohio State through our Alumni In Action club and society profiles. This content has generated more than 110,000 views on our Web site and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/osuaa).

The effort has also spread into events, and I’m proud the effort you made to support our initial Founders Day. Clubs and societies combined to hold more than 30 service projects last September.  I firmly believe Ohio State’s name and reputation are strengthened when alumni do good work in the name of the university.

While we are nearing completion on some aspects of the initiative, others will continue. We will still feature alumni groups online and in the magazine and if your group was not featured, please share the information with Craig or Kimberly so we can give your group recognition for its great work. We will also continue to develop online content featuring alumni, whether it be video, stories, Q and As, or other items that highlight the positive contributions Ohio State alumni are making to society.

What this year also showed me is that our alumni have been influenced by the university in many interesting and important ways. Some of these have been shared by alumni and friends through the telling of their “But for Ohio State” stories.

This phrase was introduced when Les Wexner made his $100 million gift to the university. Mr. Wexner said, “But for Ohio State, I would not have gone to college.” And there is no question he made his education count. Mr. Wexner used his Ohio State foundation to build one of the most successful careers in business that our country has ever seen.

But you don’t have to be a successful businessperson or donate $100 million to have a “But for Ohio State” story. I have one that I shared in a video earlier this year. I said then and will reiterate here that “But for Ohio State I would not have won two Heisman Trophies.” My personal success was not built alone. The people at Ohio State made it possible and put me in a position to succeed.

I’ve heard a lot of these stories from many of our alumni and friends. They all reflect the great opportunity that Ohio State provides for people who come in contact with our institution. To that end, I’d like to invite you to share your story. You can go to www.osu.edu/butforohiostate and read others’ stories then share yours.  It’s another good way for us to illustrate the ways that Ohio State touches so very many people. Don’t let your “But for Ohio State” story be left out.

Hitting the high points

There isn’t one of us who doesn’t enjoy receiving or giving a little bit of good news. With that in mind, Ohio State is now prepared to share some good news about the university with you on a more regular basis.

A cross-university team of communicators has developed a document called The High Points. The High Points are eight-to-10 brief informational pieces about Ohio State that give you a quick look at some of the amazing things happening in many corners of our university.

We intend to distribute these on a quarterly basis, and will share them with you through The Nutshell and other communications’ vehicles.  What I would ask of you is that you spread the word about these great accomplishments.

Oftentimes Ohio State’s athletic achievements receive a great deal of attention at the expense of news about the research and innovations happening on campus. And while I am certainly proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes, I’d like to see the outstanding academic work happening here receive similar attention. As an alumnus, I consider it part of my duty to let people know how great this university is. I hope you feel the same way, too.