In the true spirit of generosity and philanthropy, Jeanette Grasselli-Brown of Chagrin Falls continues to give back to Ohio University - even when the university tries to honor her.
In the rotunda of the new lecture hall on Friday night, Grasselli-Brown was awarded the Founders Citation - the highest honor presented by the Board of Trustees. The 1950 alumna began her speech with a presentation to OU President Robert Glidden.
She presented Glidden with a complete set of William McGuffey Eclectic Readers that were published in 1836.
Opportunity is one of my favorite words
and this was my opportunity to give a little back to the university she said. I'll never stop giving back to OU as long as I'm breathing.
The books, published by McGuffey, who served as OU president from 1839 to 1843, sold more than 122 million copies in their 80 years of publication and were outsold in America only by the Bible.
Glidden said the books will be put in the university archives.
Jenny is a remarkable woman with a remarkable career said Dick Robe, foundation trustee and former dean of the engineering college. I'm afraid to list everything she's done because I know I'll leave something out.
Some of her contributions include establishing the Frontiers in Science lecture series, endowing a chair in chemistry, serving on the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board, acting as former director of research enhancement, funding two Cutler scholars and serving on the Ohio Board of Regents. She has been awarded the Alumni Association's Medal of Merit, Alumna of the Year and the Foundation Board's John C. Baker Award.
She truly knows how to multi-task as a scientist
volunteer
civic-minded activist
mentor and a great friend to the university
Glidden said.
During her career with Standard Oil and BP, Grasselli-Brown was named into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame and was the first woman inducted into the Science and Technology Hall of Fame.
She's a wonderful example of someone who's been there and done it
somebody that truly loves the sciences that she learned and practiced and now passes on to the students
Robe said.
When your peers recognize you in this way
you feel absolutely honored and wonderful
Grasselli-Brown. This award means so much and I plan on sleeping with this medal.
