Governor names Elizabeth Harsh an Ohio State trustee

Writer(s): 
Elizabeth Harsh

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Congratulations to college alumna Elizabeth A. Harsh, who has been appointed to The Ohio State University Board of Trustees.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Harsh, executive director of the Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, to a term as trustee that began Wednesday and ends May 13, 2029.

“I look forward to this exciting and challenging opportunity to help contribute to the continued success of The Ohio State University,” Harsh said Thursday. “Ohio State has always held such a special place in my life, with my family and my career, and I welcome this new role with great anticipation.”

The board of trustees has full fiduciary authority for both the university’s academic and health sciences organizations, and oversees academic programs, budgets, general administration, and employment of faculty and staff.

Harsh, of Radnor, Ohio, graduated from Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) with a BS in animal sciences in 1983. In college, she competed on Ohio State’s general livestock judging team.

“We are delighted to hear of Elizabeth’s appointment to the board of trustees. As a graduate of CFAES and strong advocate for Ohio agriculture, she will represent Ohio’s premier land-grant institution well, and be a strong voice for all Ohioans. Elizabeth has a keen understanding of our state, the importance of education and scientific research, and is a proponent of public-private partnerships,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean.

Harsh serves on Kress’ Vice President’s Advisory Council and, through the cattlemen’s association and the beef council, has partnered with CFAES to co-host events. She was instrumental in the success of the inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show, which benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

She joins Brent Porteus (BS 1978, agricultural economics) as a CFAES alum on the board of trustees.

"It is great news to learn of Elizabeth's appointment, as the strengths that she has demonstrated as a leader in the agricultural community deepen the understanding on the OSU board of our land-grant mission, and the importance of our land-grant responsibility and opportunity across Ohio," Porteus said.  "Both her professional and personal experiences enhance her understanding of access across rural, suburban, and urban communities, and the role of our land grant in our business, economic, and community vitality."

Since 1992, Harsh has served as the beef council’s and cattlemen’s association’s executive director. In her role, she directs all activities and supervises all staff for those organizations. Also, she is responsible for their compliance with the Beef Checkoff Act & Order, and for all of their financial statements.

The Ohio Beef Council works to connect the beef community—including Ohio’s nearly 17,000 cattle farm families—with consumers to increase beef demand. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is a nonprofit membership organization that serves as the voice of Ohio’s cattle industry.

Harsh and her husband, Tim, reside on a grain and cattle farm in Delaware County where they have a small herd of registered cattle and raise 3,500 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay. They have two grown children.

Writer(s): 
CFAES News Team
614-292-2270
For more information, contact: 

Keith DiDonato
didonato.11@osu.edu
614-688-2119