Global journeys remind us what makes Buckeyes special
Alumni travel blends discovery and friendship, inspiring stories like a reindeer tale born under Finland’s winter skies.
In this season where we often count our blessings, I must admit to being a bit spoiled. As president of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, my blessings are many.
It’s hard to top the joy of going to work every day surrounded by energetic Buckeye students and staff. That is the greatest perk of my job, but a close second might be the opportunity to travel with fellow Ohio State alumni. This summer, my husband, Tom, and I visited Alaska, where we got to experience bears catching salmon for their cubs while several humpback whales were “blowing” in the background. You just can’t imagine the beauty and magnificence of our 49th state until you have been there.
But it is memories of my 2024 trip to Finland that really get me in the holiday spirit. Straddling the Arctic Circle, Finland is home to the happiest people on earth, including the man himself, Santa Claus, who is said to live in Lapland, among his beloved reindeer.
Reindeer are held in the highest regard here, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and looked after by the incredibly hospitable Sámi people. They taught us that reindeer are the only breed where both males and females grow antlers. However, males shed theirs in the fall, while females keep their antlers for protection through the winter, shedding them in spring.
This means Dancer, Prancer, Comet and all of Santa’s reindeer are female, since the males wouldn’t have antlers on Christmas Eve. This was an aha moment for Rosemarie Skukan Perry ’70, an alum and author, who was with us on the trip.
Upon returning home to Atlanta, she was inspired to write a children’s book, A Reindear Tale, which tells the story of the first Christmas when Santa employed an all-female sleigh team. It’s a wonderful read, and Perry’s is a delightful Buckeye story, like the others you’ll find in this issue of the magazine. Don’t miss the one on another author, Linda Kass ’78 MA.
Our alumni trips are so much fun and an opportunity to connect with great Buckeyes and experience the wonders of the world. I encourage you to check out the lineup of adventures for 2026 at go.osu.edu/travel.
Wherever you’re traveling this winter, whether it’s a vacation around the globe, a family trip out of state, or just a walk across the street to visit neighbors, I wish you and your loved ones a happy, safe and joyous holiday season.
