SENATE APPROVES 14 COUNCIL MEMBERS TO UNIQUE HIGHER EDUCATION CENTERS

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Senate today approved 14 academic council members to run two unique higher education centers created bySenate Bill 117, (which was rolled into House Bill 33, the biennial budget passed in June) cosponsored by Senators Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Rob McColley (R-Napoleon.)  One center is the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership within the University of Toledo. The other is the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at the Ohio State University.

"This is a historic day and a giant leap in the right direction for higher education in Ohio," said Senator Cirino. "I am extremely gratified to see the Senate approve the first seven-member academic councils for each of these two novel educational centers. We are well on our way to ensuring students in Ohio receive the best higher education in the land for generations to come."  

The Salmon P. Chase Center at Ohio State University will offer instruction in:

• The books and major debates which form the intellectual foundation of free societies, especially that of the United States.
• The principles, ideals, and institutions of the American constitutional order.
• The foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship.

The Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership within the University of Toledo will seek to:

• Enrich the curriculum in American constitutional studies, including the core texts and great debates of western civilization;
• Educate university students in the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio constitutional order;
• Educate university students in the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship and to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the legal profession;
• Offer university-wide programming related to the values of open inquiry and civil discourse.

The seven members of the academic council at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership at the University of Toledo approved today are: Joel Alicea, Nicole Garnett, Paul Milazzo, Darrell Miller, Bradley Smith, Lee Strang, and Richard Walinski. 

The seven members of the Salmon P Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society academic council at Ohio State approved today are: Robert George, Vladimir Kogan, Morel, Sheehan, Bradley Smith, Jean Yarbrough, and David Van Slyke.

Senator Cirino looks forward to the Senate reviewing and confirming appointees to similar centers created by legislation at three other Ohio universities.