Meaningful connections are there, if we seek them
Molly Ranz Calhoun finds hope in carrying forward university legacies and receiving care during cancer treatment.
Buckeye trivia from Molly Did you know women only had one study room on campus prior to Pomerene Hall, shown here, opening in 1922? It was considered inappropriate and distracting for women to study next to men, so a small room in University Hall — “the Gab Room” — was designated for women. (Photo by Jo McCulty ’84, ’94 MA)
Sometimes you have to dig deep to find the true gems. It takes grit and determination to bring to the surface the good that lies below.
In my days working on construction projects across campus, the best outcomes were ones that combined the new with restoration of the old. Rejuvenating existing facilities reminded us of the importance of where we had been and all that we learned from those times.
Sifting through the attic of Pomerene Hall, the first women’s student union, we found an original building door, which opened up an opportunity to combine stories of the past with possibilities for the future. That door is hung on the Ohio Union’s third floor, along with fireplace mantels that were carved from trees on the building site. All remind us to respect history and tradition while we imagine what can be.
Doug Morgan ’82 JD and Beth Morgan ’79 see potential in what others might believe is only a pile of firewood, leading them to give historic structures new life. I imagine many of you will find inspiration in their story.
Of course, embracing opportunities for rejuvenation also applies to daily life. Sometimes the need to refresh your thinking comes when you least expect it.
Hearing the words “You have cancer” changes your perspective in an instant, forcing you to embrace uncertainty. You quickly realize what is really important in your life when you see the circle of caring, compassionate people surrounding you and lifting you up. There is no greater realization of what matters.
I’m happy to share that after breast cancer surgery, I am cancer-free and will undergo radiation in the next several weeks. I know my journey continues, and I am thankful to have the best care at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center and the best community to help me along the way.
Your community matters, as Patrice Palmer ’09, ’10 MSW knows. She creates dependable, nurturing circles to help people who’ve made hurtful decisions because of mental health or addiction struggles — as she did for years. You can read about how overcoming her own challenges made her determined to help others do it, too.
Winter, perhaps more than any other season, is an opportunity to dedicate ourselves to rejuvenation. What will you do over the coming weeks to dig deeper and find the best within? Send me a note at OSUAAPresident@osu.edu.
