Finance and Administration News
For nine years, 51ĀŅĀ× has been recognized as a āTree Campus USA,ā a national recognition program by the Arbor Day Foundation that to support colleges and universities in planting and celebrating trees.
This award may come as no surprise, for the cherry blossom trees along the Hocking River always bring crowds excited to take pictures of the spring blossoms.
However, the main draw for Bobcats and locals is the trees on College Green. In the winter, the barren trees lay in a stark landscape against grey, snowy skies. In the fall, they glimmer with oranges and yellows, leaving crushed brown leaves underfoot.
The city of Athens is leading a project to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. In February 2020, the Athens City Council passed a resolution that declared a climate emergency and expressed the cityās intention of limiting carbon emissions and becoming more energy conscious.
Since passing the initiative, Athens has made many steps to increase solar energy usage. The city established a 2.1 megawatt solar array next to the Athens Community Center, powering 100% of the swimming pool, 50% of āāthe wastewater treatment plant and a large portion of the community center itself.
Athens City Mayor Steve Patterson said the city uses solar power at the Athens Armory, and both solar and geothermal energy at the Athens Fire Department Station on East Stimson Avenue. The city was able to implement geothermal energy at the fire station by utilizing the heat from the Earth, due to its location on the Hocking River.
Information for OHIO employees who have children interested in becoming Bobcats
Are you an 51ĀŅĀ× employee who has a student in middle school or high school interested in becoming a Bobcat?
AFSCME 3200 Drive for donations for Sick Leave Pool now underway
Human Resources is currently soliciting donations for the AFSCME 3200 Bargaining Unit Sick Leave Pool portion of the Sick Leave Donation program.
51ĀŅĀ× releases 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report in accordance with federal Clery Act
In accordance with the federal Clery Act, 51ĀŅĀ× has completed its 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Faculty, Staff Resource Fair, Immunization Clinic to be held Oct. 1
51ĀŅĀ× Human Resources will host its annual Faculty and Staff Resource Fair and Immunization Clinic on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
A botanical breakthrough: OHIO undergraduate and professor discover several new species of violets in the mountains of Virginia
When Collin Thacker began studying wildlife biology, he never expected to fall in love with a tiny, often overlooked flower. Now, in his senior year, Thacker has helped identify what may be four entirely new species of violets in the mountains of Virginia, two of them in the heart of Shenandoah National Park.
The discovery is the result of months of meticulous fieldwork, research and mentorship under OHIO professor Harvey Ballard, Ph.D., whose enthusiasm for violets sparked Thackerās unexpected botanical journey.
āDr. Ballard and his infinite passion for violets is just incredibly contagious,ā Thacker said. āWhen I began my time with Dr. Ballard, I couldnāt pick out a violet in a field full of them. But he was so knowledgeable and helpful that I found it pretty easy to catch on.ā
Thackerās work has focused on the collection, observation and cultivation of violet species in the wild. As part of his research, he has spent countless hours identifying subtle morphological differences, or traits, that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Environmental studies graduate completes 1,200-mile canoe journey to promote public lands conservation
After she graduated from 51ĀŅĀ× in May 2025, Helena Karlstrom had a busy summer.
Her summer wasnāt filled with job interviews or an internship, though, instead, she spent it in the wilds of Northern Minnesota and Canada. The Honors Tutorial College and Environmental Studies ³¾²¹Āį“Ē°łāa²Ō»å Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholarājoined three friends in an all-female crew, dubbed the , for an epic 1,200-mile canoe trip to highlight stewardship of public lands and to inspire young girls to engage in paddle sports.
The entire trip took 85 days, starting at the Grand Portage near Lake Superior, through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), one of the most remote nature areas in North America, then onto Lake Winnipeg before ending at the southern mouth of Hudson Bay in central Manitoba. The conditions were rugged, with volatile weather and whipping winds constantly dictating their daily route. They had to navigate through open water, canoeing through choppy waves and navigating rapids on certain rivers. And they did all of this while carrying 115-pound bags of gear.