Ohio State Turf Facility Campaign Successful

Early in 2002, James Beard, turfgrass scientist and graduate of Ohio State University, and his wife Harriet, offered the Ohio State University Turfgrass Education Program a pledge of $100,000 to establish a graduate fellowship in turfgrass physiology and biochemistry.

Their intention was to establish a fellowship fund to help pay the stipend and fees for a quality graduate student to study how turfgrass plants respond to stresses induced by many environmental factors.

The “catch” was that a total of $400,000 was needed to establish a named fellowship. The OSU turf faculty met and decided they, with the help of the Office of Development in the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, would take on the challenge of conducting a campaign to raise the $300,000 in matching funds needed to establish the fellowship. The faculty appointed Harry Niemczyk, professor emeritus of turfgrass entomology, and Karl Danneberger, professor of turfgrass science, as co-chairmen of their effort.

Individuals and representatives from many segments of the turfgrass industry familiar with Beard’s contributions to Turfgrass Science and their industry were invited to serve on a fund raising committee. The final committee consisted of 25 people from the United States, Canada, Austria, Spain and Japan.

The first contributions were from the OSU turf faculty and staff who pledged a total of $10,000 in personal funds to start the campaign. In addition to personal pledges of support, committee members contacted potential donors, conducted writing campaigns and urged their respective companies or organizations to support the effort.

By Dec. 31, 2002, the campaign had raised more than $270,000, and by April 7 of this year, their goal of $300,000 in pledges and cash was achieved and exceeded.

Though the primary goal has been achieved, additional contributions to the Beard Fellowship can still be made, and are welcome.

Payment of pledges over time can be arranged and all contributions are tax deductible.

Cash gifts should be made payable to The Ohio State University Foundation, Beard Fellowship Account #410936, and sent to: The Ohio State University, Agricultural Development Office, 152 Howlett Hall, 2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Further information can be obtained by calling Lynda Heyl, OSU Agricultural Development Office at (614) 292-0473.