In this installment of the "Critical Questions" series for the Institute for Civics and Public Policy, ONU students examine the evolution of Presidents' Day, discuss the consensus around who the greatest presidents are, and pay special attention to Ohio's role as the "mother of presidents."
Introduction:
Across American History, many outstanding individuals have held the title of President of the United States. It is a distinction only a select few can claim, but some stand out as truly remarkable leaders. George Washington served valiantly as General of the Colonial Army in the founding of our country, later becoming our nation’s first president–casting the mold of what America’s premier leader should look like for his successors. Abraham Lincoln led our country through the Civil War, rejoined the Confederacy to the Union, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and exemplified how even when all seems lost, we the people are able to form a more perfect union. Presidents Day is how the American people celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln, as well as honor the integrity of the office of the President of the United States of America.
Dr. Carl Clay, BSME ‘60, Hon. D. ‘92 and H. Jane Clay have made a multi-million dollar gift to name the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ohio Northern University, continuing their legacy of support and commitment to educational excellence.
A ceremony with the Clays will be held at a later date to dedicate the newly named Dr. Carl D. Clay and H. Jane Clay Department of Mechanical Engineering and celebrate the endowed fund’s establishment.
Karl W. Reid, Ed.D., CDP, a leading national advocate for diversity and inclusion will be the featured speaker for Ohio Northern University’s T.J. Smull College of Engineering as part of its Spotts Lecture Series. The free, public event will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts.
Reid, Northeastern University’s senior vice provost and chief inclusion officer, will discuss “Pursuing Mastery by Working Smarter, and Why it Matters.”
The Ohio Rural Health Association (ORHA) is forming a young professionals group to provide networking, mentoring and additional educational opportunities to newer and soon-to-be pharmacists in rural settings.
Volunteering to chair this effort is ONU fifth-year pharmacy major Carmen Bowers, an Indianapolis native whose strong family ties, including with her mother who works in the pharmaceutical lab industry, have nurtured her passion for helping others.
Ohio Northern University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is again offering free income tax preparation for community members who make about $58,000 or less annually.
In turn, this service enables ONU’s Dicke College of Business Administration students to receive practical training with tax preparation software and interpersonal communication, and to become IRS-certified to help prepare basic and intermediate tax returns. Students also gain experience in identifying and helping clients claim special credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly, which can significantly influence filing outcomes.
Lebanese-American poet Ruth Awad will be Ohio Northern University’s English Reading Series’ first spring semester guest. Her free, public reading will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the Wilson Center Elzay Gallery of Art.
