By Maya Collins

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The Ohio State University recently celebrated the philanthropic efforts of two distinguished individuals, Frank Stanton and Lee Shackelford, by awarding them with its highest honors for their generosity and commitment to the institution. Frank Stanton, who passed away in 2006, was posthumously bestowed with the Everett D. Reese Medal, marking his exceptional service in private philanthropy, while Lee Shackelford received the John B. Gerlach Sr. Development Volunteer Award for her unwavering dedication to the university’s fundraising initiatives, Ohio State News reported.

Stanton, an Ohio State alumnus, left an indelible mark not only through his academic achievements but also via his influential tenure as president of CBS, a role that was a direct result of his doctoral work sent to the broadcasting company, said Elisabeth Allison, co-director of the Stanton Foundation, during an interview his philanthropic gestures continued well beyond his lifetime, notably through the founding of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, and supporting veterinary care with a transformational $39 million donation in 2016—an effort to realize his vision of accessible animal health services.

On the other hand, Lee Shackelford, a respected psychiatrist and Ohio State alumna, has made significant personal and financial contributions to the university’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, she has a long history of supporting mental health initiatives, including substantial contributions to the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) program and the establishment of the Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, currently held by Nina Kraguljac, this was highlighted by Shackelford’s expressed joy in aiding the growth of the psychiatry department and supporting research pivotal to community well-being, according to a statement she made in a recent interview.

The university lauded both Stanton and Shackelford for their philanthropic spirit, reflecting on how their efforts have significantly enriched the Ohio State community and beyond, with Michael C. Eicher, Ohio State’s senior vice president for external affairs and president of The Ohio State University Foundation, commending their contributions that have improved lives in diverse yet impactful ways, overall, both recipients exemplify the spirit of giving back that remains crucial to the university’s continuing advancement and outreach.