Which Buckeye alumni would you invite to dinner?
Of the Ohio State grads we asked, 1 in 4 named the same person — can you guess who? The rest of the answers spanned the history of our university.
Woody Hayes, right, and Rex Kern in 1969 (Photo from The Ohio State University)
Choosing from any Buckeye from any generation, 1 in 4 alumni would dine with a classic: Woody Hayes.
“I met him once and he was the most sincere, caring person,” says Gina Di Mauro Dreibelbis ’86. Bonnie Disbrow ’78, ’81 MS adds, “I’d ask what he thinks of NIL and all the Big Ten teams.”
The conversation would make for a rich meal indeed, and here are more Buckeyes who would help fill our hearts and minds:
“Professor Loren Smith Putnam ’41 MS, ’47 PhD, who constantly supported and encouraged me. He exemplified the fact that despite its size, Ohio State offers a wonderfully individualized learning experience!”
“I would invite Mary F. Morrison to dinner. I think it would be extremely interesting to discuss differences in the campus, learning and social norms, as well as the similarities. Being the first woman to graduate from The Ohio State University had to have been quite the challenge.” — Chris Cherry ’94
“The late Richard Lewis ’69. Not only do we need comedians to keep things lighter right now, we need people to stand up and speak truth to power.” — Mark Tiffany ’77
“Archie Griffin ’76 … the best Buckeye football star ever.” — Mike Fitsko ’67, ’MA
“My husband, Richard ‘Dick’ H. Pritchard ’69 MS, ’74 PhD, who passed away in May 2023. We enjoyed so many memorable dinners together over the years — both special occasions and our every day meals. We never ran out of things to talk about, and as foodies, we enjoyed dining. Dick and I met while working at Ohio State, and both were alums, so Ohio State brought us together!” — Elaine Dillard Pritchard ’90
“Lawrence Funderburke ’94, Katie Smith ’08, ’14 MS and Cardale Jones ’17. Each was important in their sport during an important time for that sport.” — Kim Bentz Monder ’93
“Dr. Leo Paquette. I learned from him and his team to become a strong organic chemist!” — Dana Scott Toops ’88
“Milton Caniff ’30, ’74 HON” — Kathy Carlson ’77
(Read more about Caniff, a famous cartoonist, in this look at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.)
“All 15 of my freshman-year roommates from suite 1820 Lincoln Tower.” — Deanna Lackinger-Newsom ’86
“Chic Harley 1919” — Fred Lauer ’70
(This quarterback drew such big crowds, the university and state banded together to build the ’Shoe. Read this story for more of that history.)
“Jim Tressel and C.J. Stroud. Both men of faith, integrity and character.” — Timothy Tamerler ’85
“My classmates who sat with me in the nursing 300 series lectures. As we learned about nursing individuals through the years, we shared food, details of boyfriends and family life, understanding of course content, preparation for tests, project updates, tips on how to navigate the challenges of Ohio State and student life as commuters. I only wish I could regain those feelings at a dinner 50 years later.” — Karen Kish ’76
“Jesse ’72 HON and Ruth Owens and their daughter Marlene ’61. To be gifted the opportunity to break bread with a family that impacted the world, given the fears of today’s world, truly would be a dream.” — Mark Williams ’10
“Kids, parents and grandparents who graduated from Ohio State in our family’s four generations of Buckeye alumni. GO BUCKS!” — Barbara Farnbacher ’83, ’86 JD
“Ohio State President Ted Carter, football coach Ryan Day, basketball coach Jake Diebler and, of course, my wife Ann Wallace Brunswick ’64, who I met at Ohio State in the fall of 1961.” — Paul L. Brunswick ’64, ’70 MBA
“Joe Koffolt ’24, ’29 MS, ’31 PhD, ’72 HON from the Department of Chemical Engineering. I’ve read about the impact he had on the development of the department and curriculum, and I’d be interested in knowing more about the early years of the department and industry.” — Jim Lombardi ’90
