Ohio State professor honored; begins endowment
Karl Danneberger, PhD, at Ohio State University's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science and frequent contributor to Golf Course Management's research section, has won the university's 2009 Global Turfgrass Award, given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the global turfgrass industry. Danneberger, an alum of three well-known turf schools--Purdue (bachelor's degree), University of Illinois (master's) and Michigan State University (PhD) --joined the faculty at OSU in 1983 and has focused his research in turfgrass pathology and stress physiology. He also received the Fred V. Grau Award from the American Society of Agronomy in 2004 and was named a Fulbright Scholar in 2008. At Ohio State, Danneberger has pioneered the turfgrass program's web site, podcast series, and online golf management certificate. Most recently he has taken the program to an international level with the introduction of podcasts and web sites in Spanish, Portuguese, Czech, and Polish, and the launch of the Global Turf Network. He regularly travels abroad to speak to students and industry professionals. His travels have included England, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Dubai, Australia, South Africa, Japan, China, Chile, and Canada.
--Reprinted with permission from Golf Course Management, August 2009.
From the editor: Karl Danneberger has recently established the Karl Danneberger Turfgrass Science Endowment, used to enhance students' experience in turfgrass science by providing for co-curricular activities such as travel to competitions and conferences. Says Karl of his gift, "I see the benefits of giving every day with my students, and I feel it's important for faculty to set a philanthropic example." Anyone interested in contributing to the fund can designate a gift for fund number #661580, with checks made payable to The Ohio State University Foundation. Donations can be sent to the attention of Karen Race, 216 Howlett Hall, 2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, OH 43210.
Brothers offer scholarship at ATI
Three brothers who graduated from Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute have created an annual scholarship for ATI turfgrass management students. Eric ('92), Nick ('99), and Kurt ('02) von Hofen, who all work in the golf course management field, started the von Hofen Turfgrass Scholarship for a student at the school majoring in turfgrass management.
"We really wanted to give back, we all went to school there, and we always wanted to work with some of the turf students," said Eric von Hofen, the oldest of the brothers and director of agronomy at Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida.
Nick von Hofen is superintendent at Collier's Reserve Country Club in Naples, Florida, and Kurt von Hofen is superintendent at the Hills Course of Jupiter Hills in Tequesta, Florida.
"When I attended Ohio State I did not receive any scholarships, so summer jobs were my source of college funding and resume building. After graduating from Ohio State ATI and becoming one of the alumni family, you realize how many people in the business are at your fingertips to help you. Hopefully the students will realize to take the initiative and go for it and the scholarship is there to start that process," said Kurt von Hofen.
Scholarship recipients must be a U.S. resident, a first- or second-year student, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. The scholarship's advantages aren't limited only to giving students in their field financial support. The involvement of the von Hofens also opens up the opportunities of advancing their careers for students during and after graduation.
"This scholarship is rewarding on so many different levels. We are focused on helping students pursue their career goals and strive for academic excellence. We look forward to giving our scholarship each year," said Nick von Hofen. "This is really going to give us a lot of access to students and try and help them out, whether it's an internship with one of us or a job after they graduate," Eric von Hofen adds.
-- Shawn Cleveland
Professional Golf Management Program
"A unique opportunity"
Golf has been a large part of Michael Hurdzan's life since childhood. He learned the sport from his father, a teaching pro, and his affinity for golf has turned into a tremendously successful career. In 1966, Hurdzan graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSc in Turfgrass Management and in 1974 he earned his PhD in Environmental Plant Physiology Studies at the University of Vermont. He returned to the Buckeye State and became president of a golf course architecture firm, today known as Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Design. Hurdzan/Fry has created environmentally friendly golf courses all over the world.
Hurdzan has recently become closely involved with Ohio State's Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program. PGM, designed to prepare students for careers in the golf industry, is a four and a half year interdisciplinary program with classes in turfgrass science, business, and hospitality management.
In May 2009, Hurdzan visited the proposed PGM driving range site at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory. He offered to contribute the drawings for a new practice range, practice holes, and training facility for the PGM program--a gift valued at more than $50,000.
"The PGM program, along with the new practice facility, is a way for the university to distinguish itself," Hurdzan said. "Ohio is a great location for this type of program to grow when you look at total resources," including Ohio State's golf courses, the history of Ohio State's golf team, and the location of Hurdzan/Fry headquarters in central Ohio.
To Hurdzan, it was important to give back to his alma mater and to PGM. "I couldn't think of another alumnus that wouldn't do the same thing. It was a natural fit for me to donate the drawings. I am happy to bring any positive attention to a program that has such potential."
-- Sarah Grafner
Operation : Military Kids Program Hosts 5th Annual Camp
For a week in August, Kelleys Island on Lake Erie was home for 227 campers participating in the Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program, which held its 5th annual camp this year. The camp, a joint effort of Ohio 4-H and the Ohio National Guard's Family Readiness program, is for youths who have parents in any branch of the military who have been deployed, are currently deployed, or are preparing to deploy overseas.
New this year, OMK held two camps simultaneously, one for 9- to 11-year-olds at the Erie County 4-H Camp, and another for teens at Camp Patmos, a mile down the road. This expansion, made possible by additional funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as cash and in-kind donations, enabled slots for nearly 100 additional campers. This year's teen camp included a community service project in which campers painted tables at the local VFW post and laid a paver sidewalk to improve access to the local veterans' memorial.
A unique aspect of the camp is the participation of military service members. Each day, "Military Moments" is devoted to military values such as honor, loyalty, courage, commitment, integrity, and selfless service. A highlight of the week was when Major General Matthew Kambic, Assistant Adjutant General, Army, led a team of military leaders from all five branches of the service in landing in a Chinook helicopter on the camp field.
Closing ceremonies included a delegation of seven state legislators, the mayors of Kelleys Island and Marblehead, and several donors, including Bob Joseph, a graduate of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. In addition, checks totaling $11,500 were presented from new donors Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Cash America International, Check Smart Financial, Meijer, Proggemeyer Design Group, Nucor Steel Marion, Inc., and Tom Pappas & Associates.
State Representative Peter Ujvagi described the bill that he and Representative Ross McGregor sponsored to make August "Ohio Military Family Month." On behalf of the legislators, Rep. Ujvagi presented camp directors--Theresa Ferrari, the Project Director of Operation: Military Kids and youth development specialist with Ohio 4-H, and Sue Ann Carroll, State Youth Coordinator with the Ohio National Guard--with a certificate congratulating Operation: Military Kids Camp on its fifth anniversary and for its "remarkable record of service to the community." The OMK program is a partnership with Army Child, Youth, and School Services; National 4-H Headquarters; and Ohio 4-H Youth Development. For information on Ohio's program, see http://operationmilitarykids.ohio4h.org.
Many thanks to all of the individual donors who support OMK as well as these donors:
USO of Central Ohio
Ohio 4-H Foundation
AT&T Pioneers, Ohio Life Member Council
Ohio Child Conservation League
OSU Army ROTC Alumni Society
Leland Foundation, Inc.
American Legion Post 188
American Legion Post 733, Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Post 733, American Legion Riders
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Columbus
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Columbus
Ceramics Anonymous, Inc., Columbus
Accenture (Fairborn)
For information on how to donate to Operation: Military Kids, contact the 4-H Foundation office at 614-292-6943.
-- Christy George
