Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 30, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Public health is in a better place than it was during the winter peak, when hospitalizations, deaths and cases from the pandemic skyrocketed. Importantly, anyone 16 and older can now receive a vaccine in Ohio.
There is much reason for optimism. Yet, COVID-19 still poses a threat and we must not allow anything to slow our progress in the fight against the virus. At this moment in the pandemic, it’s important to redouble our efforts so that nothing disrupts our plans for a better summer and fall....
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 25, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We were excited to welcome U.S. President Joe Biden to our campus this week – and share with him just some of what makes Ohio State such an incredible place for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, community outreach and patient care.
The nation’s 46th president visited the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute to tour the Department of Radiation Oncology and provide remarks about the importance of access to health care. The visit came just days after our...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 17, 2021
Dear Students, I am delighted to share some exciting news! On May 9, we plan to celebrate the incredible collegiate achievements of the class of 2021 in person at commencement — the first in-person ceremony since December 2019. To allow for a safe celebration with physical distancing, we will hold two spring ceremonies on May 9 with no more than 13,500 attendees at each event. While the ceremonies in Ohio Stadium will maintain many of our proud traditions, health and safety guidelines mean that certain elements will need to change. We are partnering with state and local health officials on...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 16, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
This month I have made two visits to our COVID-19 vaccination site at the Schottenstein Center – first to receive my inaugural dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and then again to greet Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and connect with our health care professionals, facilities support staff and volunteers. What an impressive operation! I am so proud of the efficiency, ingenuity and care that has ensured this vital undertaking is successful.
Here’s an amazing statistic to consider: Through yesterday, our Wexner Medical Center had administered more than 89,000 total vaccinations. This effort, in...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 9, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
At Ohio State and around the world, we have been seeing hopeful signs of renewal and reasons for optimism. There’s a new vaccine – the single dose version created by Johnson & Johnson and approved by the FDA for emergency use. We had an early taste of spring weather that brought us out onto the Oval and other favorite campus spots. There are even plans to allow for limited fans – with public health restrictions in place – at the Big Ten basketball championships.
Each day brings new opportunities to expand Ohio State’s...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 4, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We have now reached the midpoint of spring semester, and our work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 continues to make me proud. The most recent report from the university’s Comprehensive Monitoring Team (CMT) shows that our collective efforts to wear masks, physically distance, practice good hygiene and avoid large gatherings are working. The lessons we learned through the fall have also positioned us better to quickly identify trends going in the wrong direction and address them.
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | March 2, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
On Sunday, I was honored and excited to be invited to Gospel Fest, part of the university’s 43rd African American Heritage Festival. The event featured music, dancing and more – a joyous expression of pride and celebration organized by an amazing and dedicated group of students .
Like so many other events and gatherings over the past year, Gospel Fest was held virtually. Yet, the spirit, passion and engagement of our students was undaunted and undeniable. As I have so many times since becoming president of this university, I felt a great...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | February 25, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Together, we have worked as a university community throughout the pandemic to lift up one another. We have connected through masks and screens, fought the spread of COVID-19 and continued to innovate, create, research, teach and learn. We have demonstrated that the Buckeye spirit cannot be held back.
Today, I am pleased to share that we have begun preparations for a fall semester in which campus life will be significantly reactivated. My leadership team is now developing a plan for autumn 2021 that will...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | February 22, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
During my first six months as a member of our Buckeye family, I have been inspired and motivated by the connections I’ve made both on our campuses and in the communities we serve. Even when faced with the challenges of a global pandemic, unprecedented in the modern age, the Ohio State spirit has not wavered. If anything, it shines brighter in our care and support for one another. I am truly honored to be a part of that.
Thursday, I delivered my first State of the University address – an opportunity to recognize...
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President | February 11, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: Your efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus continue to pay off. I am proud to be part of such a caring and conscientious Buckeye community. As this challenge continues, you are succeeding every day in advancing our overall mission and building a better world. Our student seven-day average positivity rate has continued to trend at 0.5% – both on and off campus. When I think of the sacrifices all of you are making to help keep one another, your families and our broader Buckeye community safe, I am inspired. The Buckeye spirit...
