FAVORITE MEMORIES
In preparation for the Reunion of Reunions, May 2-4, 2008, we asked you to share your favorite memories from your time at Ohio State. If you would like to submit your own memories, fill out the form on our "Talk to Us" page.
KIMBERLY LOWE '03, '06 MA (LM)
One of my favorite memories from OSU is going to the North Commons with all of my girlfriends. We would stay for a couple hours just because we would be talking, eating and laughing. Sometimes they would have to tell us to go home because they were trying to clean up for the next meal. Going to the commons was our family time together when we could catch up on the day’s events. Our favorite thing to eat was the hot apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
NADINE HOLMES '76, '01 MA (LM)
One of my favorite memories is sitting around our dorm room in Patterson Hall with my roommate and some of our friends, listening to music and talking about the happenings of day. It would be great to see everyone again!
Graduation was another special memory. As education graduates in the '70s we sat in front of the engineering graduates in the stadium. When their college was called they all stood chanting "We have jobs" just to make us feel bad, because most of us did not.
ARCHIE GRIFFIN '76 (LM)
I have many wonderful memories of the time I spent as a student on Ohio State’s campus, and there’s no doubt that a lot of those great memories happened at the Ohio Union. I spent some time there studying and other times just chilling out with the guys. And I still have vivid memories of the dances held at the Union on Saturday nights. Those were great times. Another memory of the Union I have is of the training table meals the football team would have on the third floor in the Terrace Dining Room. That place had the best desserts, and I can still remember the hot chocolate sundaes and the delicious pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. As you can tell, I love sweets; and the Terrace never disappointed me.
JOELL HEFLIN '91
My first memory of OSU is the HUGE campus area. In my freshman year, my classes were on West Campus...the lone island. West campus was full of just freshman and this brought us together. I met a lot of great people and still have them as friends today. After all, we had to pack the Scarlet and Gray (now the North/South) buses to get from West Campus to Main Campus everyday. I also remember the Oval in spring...what a great playground! OSU is beautiful campus and being an alumni gives me great joy. GO BUCKS!
EZEKIEL PEEBLES '03
Being a part of the "stoop" in front of Baker Hall. Spending time with my friends and having college days swiftly pass.
TAMIEKA COBB '03
"Africa" at the Ohio Union, the stoop, Lincoln 1-6, Union Icebreakers 1999-2000, Block Party 2000
ERICA (MUNNERLYN) LANE '97
Alpha Phi Alpha house parties, Section Alley parties
JAMES PALMER ‘85
Being a student/athlete and meeting life-long friends that I have stayed in touch with.
ANTHONY WOODY '72 (LM)
Being chosen outstanding senior in my graduating class and residence hall while studying abroad in Leningrad (St. Petersburg, U.S.S.R.) and Scandinavia in 1972.
MELODY (MCKARN) KAY w'94
Block Parties, hanging out at the Union, etc.
CAROLYN DONALDSON '97
Block Party 1998--what more can I say!?
VALERIE (PARKER) BESSES '01
Block Party!
TAMIRA MOON '01, '04 MPH
Bricker Hall Sit-in 1998, living on the African American Living and Learning Floor 1997-99
LEANDRA (KENNEDY) ROSCOE '99
Canfield/Mack Hall and South Campus, Spring 1994. The best time of my life.
KALEENA ARNOLD '05
Classes actually cancelled due to a snow storm.
NIKKI (MINOR) KNOTT '99 MLHR
Favorite memory: driving down the street and seeing a University of Michigan-painted vehicle on fire leading up to the BIG game. Students were screaming and beating the vehicle and I just watched in awe. I graduated from a HBCU so this was a new phenomenon; what contagious and excitable OSU school spirit!
ERNEST WEST III '95, '96 M.ED.
I always enjoy our Ohio State reunions. I believe that I have been to two or three of them. It is great to see everyone. I hope all are doing well and God Bless. Doc West
MARLENE OWENS RANKIN '61 (LM)
I have a number of favorite Ohio State memories, not the least of which, it is where I met my husband of 46 years, but I guess being elected the first Black Homecoming Queen in 1960 stands out as very special to me personally. Other honors have been bestowed on our family because of my father and we cherish those memories as well. They include The Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, The Jesse Owens Plaza, The Jesse Owens Student recreational facilities, The home of the Jesse Owens Collection, The home of the Ruth and Jesse Owens Scholars Program, and the site where much footage was shot for the Jesse Owens Mini Series.
DENISE BRANDON '89
I have many memories of block parties and Greek events. The most exciting time was my crossing for Delta Sigma Theta.
TONYA HOWARD '91
I remember being one of the first work-study students at the Frank W. Hale Cultural Center. I worked with Mrs. Lee Smith who was the greatest mother-away-from-home that a college sophomore student could ever have.
SHERRY (POELLNITZ) CAUGHMAN '96
I remember my first Block Party in 1991. It was so live on West Campus and I enjoyed having people from all over the country come to my university to celebrate and kick it with O-State!
RONALD BOSTIC '72
It will take at least a whole page to discuss my favorite memories while attending the Ohio State University.
MELINDA (ANDERSON) SKIPPER '99
Just the many ice breakers attended at the Union (which is no longer there).
JENNIFER COATES '00
Late nights at Buffalo Bills, Cluck U, and Catfish Biff's, and hanging out on the mini-Oval.
HENRY DOSS '73 (LM)
Mike White running for and winning as the first black student body president.
ROBIN VANN LYNCH '96 MA, '99 MA, '00 PHD
My best memory of OSU was attending football games with the Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus. It was always full of fun and fellowship. We even hung in there for the Bucks in pouring rain one Saturday afternoon. Now that's school spirit at its best!
SHAKITA TRIGG '04
My favorite memories include the lock-in of '98 promoting the YSP and MSP; Alpha Phi Alpha ice breakers; Omega Psi Phi skating parties; Heritage Festival of '98 and '99; NSBE socials; and step shows.
JULIUS MAYO '93, '95 MA
My favorite memory was being "linked" into the Sphinx Senior Honorary. I had heard so much about it and how difficult it was to be admitted into that when I was tapped to join I truly felt honored.
TYLON MCGEE ‘99
My favorite memory was Block Party 1996 when everyone was hanging out on 11th. We had so much fun! And when we won the Rose Bowl. Go Buckeyes!
MELISSA (BARFIELD) DAVIS '96, '00 MS
My favorite Ohio State memory was when I crossed into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on April 23, 1994. Our public service activities were probably my fondest memories.
SIMONE LIGHTFOOT '06, '06
My first week of school, I got dressed up so cute to go to class and I got lost over by the Towers. My feet hurt so bad and I missed class but I was too embarrassed to stop and ask anyone for help. So I just wandered around until I saw something that looked familiar.
KARYN (GREEN) FROST '97
My fondest memories of Ohio State were when I was a work-study student employed by Larry Williamson at the Frank Hale Black Cultural Center. The BCC was like a haven where I could come and feel at home with people who were just like me. I formed friendships that have lasted up until the present.
JANET HILL-MORALES '74
One of my favorite memories is the OSU Black Choir. I attended OSU from 1970-1974 and was a member of the choir for almost two years under the direction of Julius James.
DOUG HILL '86
Playing football in the Horseshoe.
JULIANA (MCCULLOUGH) ROUTT '78
Receiving my degree at graduation in front of all my family and friends.
ADRIENNE (DONALDSON) STEVERSON '90 (LM)
Spring Block Party on south campus and football games
SHARON FARMER '74
The camaraderie between classes at the OSU Student Union was special. Julius James jamming on the piano wherever we were; we could all sing along. Navita Cummings, Garfield Jackson, Ibrahim Alijahizz reading their poetry to us. Sherry Small singing. Dean Chuck Williams always being there for us! The wonderful sounds of the OSU Black Choir directed by Julius James, with Ruby & Johnny beltin' it out! The public service of the Black Greeks & our cooperation with each other. Mike White leading Afro-Am. Our Choking Times newspaper that let us have a voice to our campus community and Columbus.
ALEXANDER HENDERSON w'01
The sit-in at Bricker Hall.
SHALETHA MITCHELL '93
The sit-in at OMA. The opening of the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center. Co-coordinating the first African-American Graduation Celebration held in the Ohio Union. The old-school Block Parties. Joining Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and winning step shows and Chapter of the Year many times. Being a student leader and winning several awards during my senior year. Being Black Greek Council President and unifying the Black and White Greeks during Greek Week. My non-Greek friends. Parties at the union.
ALLISON SMITH '91
There are so many I can't choose just one. The long chats in the dining hall or the student union or the Oval, BW3 10 cent wing night (yes they were only a dime then), Dynasty re-runs after my 9 a.m. class, campus dances, my freshman year in Lincoln tower, Michigan Week! The one thing that stands out in my memory was my first night on campus when my parents went back home without me; leaving me in the elevator of Lincoln tower. Just a scared small-town girl among 55,000 other students! I didn't know it at the time but that was the best thing that could have happened to me! Good memories, good times! I am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends. GO BUCKS!!
JOI (MILEY) BEACHAM ‘99
Two words: Baker Hall
BEN PINSON '04 MA
Visitation days: powerful to sit in a room full of educated African Americans getting degrees in important areas and doing the research that affects the future. And they could dance! To hear that they came from HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and to be a part of that made me feel significant. Finally I wasn't alone in my African American intelligence. I wasn't in a world all on my own. There were people just like me: smart, cool, black, not just black by color...but down with the struggle. That's why I came, and they are why I stayed and the reason I graduated; visitation days.
TAMIA STINSON '02
The sit-in at Bricker Hall to protest "restructuring" financial aid policies. Introspective political discussions, bags upon bags of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and the best math/engineering tutoring sessions you could ask for. I remember walking, bleary-eyed, across the Oval at 4 a.m. to get back to my South Campus dorm room so I could take a quick nap and make it to my early morning class. Good times.
EBONY WHEELER WILLIAMS '03
I remember when The Ohio State University actually got shut down because of a hail storm. Imagine that!
KIANA R. TRABUE '03
Winning the National Championship against Miami my senior year.
CHRISTINE A. HARRIS w'83
Being an adult student attending college for the first time. The unending support from William B. Johnson (deceased) and Provost Frank W. Hale, Jr. in the Office of Minority Affairs.
EDWARD SCOTT REED '85
Hanging in Ohio Union in between classes
JENNIFER SZAKACS '92, '97
There is so much about Ohio State that are great memories.
Being a Physical Education major I would first have to say my ultimate favorite memories are the Ohio State football games. Coming from a small town where sports were big and brought the community together, I felt like that continued for me at Ohio State. It did not matter what the weather was like, I was always at the regular games and the Bowl Games. I'll never forget greeting the men's basketball team back from their trip to the Final 8 with Coach Ayers.
Tied with that memory would be having my best friend from my hometown start school a year ahead of me, but graduate the same day in the Spring of '92. On graduation day, walking into the Horseshoe and all of the families of the graduates clapping for you gives you such of sense of pride, honor and chills. Just like the band coming trough the tunnel preparing to do Script Ohio.
The other memories that I will always keep with me are the friends I have made from work (Larkins and Student Wellness Center), classes and athletics. I still stay in touch with my friends that I played intramural sports with 15 years ago. Other memories are eating lunch by Mirror Lake, Buck-I-Robics, receiving my Leadership Award from President Gee, running the halls of Baker Hall after going dancing until 2 a.m. with my best friend, my first apartment by myself, the chimes of Orton Hall, lunch at Ratskellar, taking every swim class to get my BWS to graduate, everyone cramming in to the Ohio Union to see the movie, "Dirty Dancing," my baptism, confirmation and first communion at Newman Center and being a volunteer peer liasion for the Student Wellness Center.
The one thing I discovered at Ohio State is the feeling of being at home and everytime I go back as an alumni, I get the same feeling and chills. There is something about being a Buckeye. Once a Buckeye...always a Buckeye...all you have to do is catch the fever.
TENECIA ROSS '02
My fondest memories of my days at Ohio State all concern meeting the people who would become my closest friends. I will never forget the times I spent hanging in Morrill Tower with my best friend Sonny (and all the adventures that followed).
Most of all, I remember how the beautiful and intelligent ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, Delta Phi Chapter, helped me see the potential in myself.
And of course, football Saturday!
SONNY SAUNDERS '02
My favorite memories are coming to campus, exerting my independence, meeting many great people, meeting my best friend Tenecia, going out to the clubs, and just having a great time!
STEPHANIE MCCRAY '93
Graduating and being done!
CHIBUNDU NNAKE '05
It would be between the nights spent with my boys talking and joking at Mirror Lake or being chosen the 2004 Homecoming King.
MONICA BROWN '92
My favorite memories are of the Union parties, playing in the Spring Band, living in the dorms ion the 25th floor of the Towers, and having so much fun that I cannot even tell you. My time at Ohio State was an awesome experience and I look forward to coming to the reunion.
JACQUELINE (MCCLENDON) BROOKS '88
I often reminisce over the parties at the Union. No smoking and drinking, just good times and good music: Al B. Sure, Keith Sweat, and MC Hammer to name a few. They were the hot artists at the time. But oh man! The Zeta man contest of 1988 that came down to Anthony Brown and this Que...that was a great competition! Whew!
MICHELE THOMPSON-MCPETERS '88
My freshman year and first quarter I lived in Lincoln Towers. I had a roommate whose name was the same as mine and we had two other roommates who also shared the same name. We had a blast!
CHERYL (TAYLOR) SIMS '86
Arriving on campus in Fall 1984. There was a great deal of excitement in the air as I moved into my dorm.
CHRISTINA HOLMES '02
My favorite Ohio State memory is socializing at the Hale Center!
BRIDGETTE BILLINGSLEA '92
Living in Morrill Tower and everyone pooling their money together to get just one Domino's one topping pizza for $9.99. We would end up with about one slice a piece and invariably someone would not have any money, but still want to eat some pizza.
CHRISTINE HARRIS '81
I was a 27-year-old freshman and had only my first-quarter tuition. Bill Johnson who worked in OMA at the time was instrumental in my finding financial as well as other support while attending college via the Freshman Foundation. It continues to be a vital support system for African American/other minority students.
KIM (DORSEY) BLAIR '81
In Fall 1976, the free concert with Norman Conners and Phyliss Hyman in Independence Hall.
ALFEIA (WOODSON) BELL '96
SABSA: South Area Black Student Association. One of the best organizations on campus!
JUDITH OBIOFUMA '07
My favorite memories were BBQ's at the Hale Center, Heritage Festival Events, going to New Orleans with OBSA, house parties. Organizing the racism forum with the many different black shirts and walking around campus and having people stare and ask questions about my shirts! Being part of the planning committee for the First Annual Big Ten Conference on Black Student Leadership. Winning the 2007 African American Homecoming Queen. Being part of African American Voices Gospel Choir. Last but not least, meeting so many wonderful people and developing special bonds and friendships!
KRISTIN POWELL '03
My favorite memories had to be everything! From meeting people from all over the country and world to "studying" every Sunday at the library with my girls. I remember my favorite job at the Ohio Union, the Alpha house parties, the skating parties, the riots, the union strike in 2000, the hot spring when they let us open the windows in the towers, the football games, Make a Difference Day (Penn State and Illinois), the Block Party '98 and '99, the basketball games, chilling at the Hale Center, "the Stoop" and the "Big 10" bench on the south campus B-ball courts! But, my favorite memory had to be graduation, and the parties on June 13, 2003! I actually cried!
SANDRA ALEXANDER '79
Yes! I too am reminded of Ohio State dorm life every time I take a whiff of Domino's sausage and pepperoni pizza! We put our pennies together and I swear you could study much better with pizza on the brain and grease on the fingers.
I believe we were the first students at Morrill Tower to live on a co-ed floor: 13, was it? Oh, the wild things that went on there. Actually, most of us were very civil and lady-like. Our mamas would be proud.
What about the parties with grain alcohol-spiked punch? (Mom, I promise I only had a little sip!) Those brothers from Cleveland could throw some great parties! Not sure if they still exist. They may have been banned from campus.
Yes, those were the days!
