2008 Membership Drive
The annual membership drive for the OSU GLBT Alumni Society is currently under way. Members of the Society are committed to making Ohio State a better place for GLBT students. Members have opportunities to network with other alumni, give back to their alma mater, and improve the climate for the next generation of GLBT students. Members have a voice at OSU and are advocates of GLBT issues. Added benefits include the ability to purchase home football tickets, participate in member-only tailgates, and travel to OSU Football away games. Other member events include the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a wide array of OSU sporting events, political debate watch parties, and special arts and community events. As always, students currently enrolled may join for free.

Current and aspiring members may purchase membership for 2008 by visiting the GLBT Alumni Store (click here). We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon. Damn right we’re Scarlet & Gay!

Jack Miner Recognized As Distinguished Alumni
On June 6, 2007 Archie Griffin, President of the OSU Alumni Association, Inc. announced that GLBT Alumni Society President Jack Miner was named one of the recipients of the university’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. The awards were established in 1958 to honor those living alumni who personify the University’s tradition of excellence, thereby bringing distinction to themselves and to our alma mater through their outstanding achievements. Jack will be receiving the Ralph D. Mershon award that recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to The Ohio State University through service to the University and the Alumni Association.

Jack was instrumental in the early years of the GLBT Alumni Society in creating a foundation for the organization and increasing its visibility. He is credited for starting the GLBT Alumni Scholarship program which has grown to become the largest program of its kind in the nation. For the past few years, he has served as president of the board of governors and has increased the level of engagement for alumni and students and has been a constant advocate for GLBT students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Under his leadership, the society has become one of the most respected alumni groups in the nation (gay or straight) and within the Ohio State community the society has been named “Outstanding Society” each year since he became leader and last year the university created the category “Gold Star Society” to award to the GLBT Alumni Society because of the unprecedented success by an alumni group at Ohio State.

Jack currently serves as Associate Registrar for the University and has held a number of leadership roles at the university including serving on the University’s Athletic Council, University Senate, Council on Student Affairs, Presidents Council, and as advisor to both Homecoming Court and Mortar Board National Honor Society. Under President Gee and Interim President Sisson, Jack served as Chair of the University’s Staff Advisory Committee and as an advisor to the President and Board of Trustees. Upon the departure of President Gee, Jack served on the selections committee that selected President Brit Kirwan.

A 1994 graduate of Ohio State, Jack was named Outstanding Senior as an undergraduate where he had served as USG Treasurer and President of the North Campus Student Association. His undergraduate career garnered national attention after a campus bar began a weekly “Bear Wrestling Night”. After leading cruelty to animal and student safety protests to end the practice, Miner offered to wrestle the bear himself in exchange for ending the practice. After attention from national media and the Tonight Show, University Administration and Columbus City Council stepped in and passed an ordinance outlawing bear wrestling.

Miner was presented his award at a banquet in November of 2007.

GLBT Alumni Society Recognized at Alumni Leaders Conference
The OSU GLBT Alumni Society was once again recognized as an exceptional alumni society at the annual OSU Alumni Leaders Conference on October 12, 2007. The society received three awards: Gold Star Society, Outstanding Newsletter, and Outstanding Society Leader.

Gold Star Society
The GLBT Alumni Society was the first and only society to win this award in 2006. This award is presented to the top 10 percent of alumni societies. It recognizes the GLBT Alumni Society for capitalizing on growing interest in the 2008 election by hosting a forum and debate watching party, and organizing the nation's larges campus-based scholarship program for gay students.

Outstanding Newsletter
The society has received this honor in the past, and we are happy to reclaim the title of Outstanding Newsletter for our publication of Scarlet & Gay. Groups are judged on several criteria including how meeting announcements and summaries are presented, adequate listings of officers, and the frequency of the publication.

Outstanding Society Leader
Ben Drake, GLBT Alumni Society Treasurer, received one of four Outstanding Society Leader awards. This award is given to an alumnus who has provided superior service to his/her society and the University. Those who receive this award have provided leadership service to OSU, developed society initiatives, acted above and beyond their duties and took part in community and civic work. Ben Drake was appreciative of the recognition, saying, “I’m honored that my fellow Board Members nominated me for this award.  I think it’s a testament to the leadership of this organization that we continue to be recognized for our achievements as evidenced by our winning the Gold Star Alumni Society Award for the second year in a row.”

Finally, thank to all of our members. Your participation, passion, and enthusiasm keep us strong and growing throughout the years.

OSU Rated Among Best in the Nation for Gay Students
In 2007, Advocate Magazine released its first ever ranking of colleges and universities for GLBT students. Ohio State was not just among them, but debuted in the top 20. The guidebook is meant to provide a resource for the growing number of high school students who consider a school’s attitude on GLBT issues when choosing a college. Advocate looked at programs for GLBT students, student organizations, non-discrimination policies, and benefit packages for faculty and staff when considering rankings. Ohio State rose to the top because of having the nation’s largest scholarship program for GLBT students and for actively recruiting GLBT high school students as part of the university’s diversity initiative. In the past few years, gays and lesbians have served as student government president, homecoming king, and senior university administrators signaling the level of support among the student, faculty, and staff populations. Additionally, an active GLBT Alumni organization, a graduation ceremony for GLBT students, and the newest addition of a program in Sexuality Studies were cited as reasons for our high ranking.

We were also considered the top university in the nation for transgender students. According to the publication and later interviews by the editors, “Ohio State is arguably the most trans-supportive public university in the country.” The inclusion of gender identity in non-discriminatory policies, ability to change gender on university records without surgery, and a decision to include gender neutral or transgender friendly bathrooms in all new and newly renovated buildings on campus were cited as trendsetting for universities.