INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Brothers on the Rise Helping UT Students Stay And Succeed

Alumni Association HonorsOutstanding Individuals

Why I Give: Donor Profile

Meet Our Board

Honor Roll

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Winter 2015

hile the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States in 1865, Dr. Celia Williamson, University of Toledo professor of social work, can attest it is still alive and thriving. “Modern-day slavery is a business of supply and demand. As all businesses advance, the business of human trafficking is also advancing, using technology to make supply-to-demand easier and faster,”

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INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ESTABLISHED

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A Quarterly Publication of The University of Toledo Foundation

she said. “It is a $36 billion business worldwide. The difference between historic slavery and modern slavery is victims today are more disposable.” Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world. With Toledo’s position as a geographic crossroads in the United States, Dr. Williamson noted, Toledo has been a significant hub in the

recruitment of youth into the sex trade. Since 2006, the FBI and local police have helped enable 40 federal convictions and the rescue of 120 children. Under Dr. Williamson’s leadership, The University of Toledo has been a frontrunner in human trafficking research and outreach since 2000. UT has provided research used across the country and throughout the world. This has led to the development of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition, with 60 members now representing child protection, juvenile court, the Department of Homeland Security,

Under the leadership of Dr. Celia Williamson, The University of Toledo has been an international frontrunner in human trafficking research and outreach since 2000.

UT CREATES HUMAN TRAFFICKING INSTITUTE

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churches, social service agencies, health care, and private citizens. “Together,” Dr. Williamson noted, “this coalition has worked to help pass state anti-trafficking laws, educate the community, and build a continuum of care for victims.” Drawing upon UT’s expertise, recognized around the world, a new Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute was approved by the UT Board of Trustees in November. The new Institute, housed in UT’s College of Social Justice and Human Service, is a cross-disciplinary program focused on teaching, research, and service. The goals are to coordinate local and statewide services, grow UT’s internationally recognized human trafficking conference (the oldest academic human trafficking conference in the nation), teach UT students about human trafficking and other social justice related issues, and build a global association of scholars to provide the world with the research-related solutions it needs. Current projects focus on improving the community’s effectiveness in its response to human trafficking, as well as developing protocols to assist police, prosecutors, and medical professionals in their work with victims. “Human trafficking remains a major societal issue which adversely impacts lives around the world,” said Dr. Williamson. “Victims are beaten, abused, raped, and sold. Unable to escape, they suffer both physical and emotional trauma.” “UT’s mission is to improve the human condition,” she said. “This is a human rights issue. Every American believes in freedom. We fought for our right to be free, and now we must use our resources to help others.” For more information or to make a contribution in support of the Institute, contact Barbara Tartaglia-Poure at barbara.tartaglia@utoledo.edu or 419-530-2713.

College requires a major adjustment for many new students. They face various problems, based largely on their previous educational experience, culture, and family situation. “Students come to The University of Toledo with varied levels of academic preparedness, maturity, and cultural readiness,” according to Dr. Willie McKether, assistant dean in the College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences.

BROTHERS ON THE RISE HELPING UT STUDENTS STAY AND SUCCEED

Brothers on the Rise, a volunteer campus organization led by Dr. Willie McKether (top left), offers support to minority students.

student a UT mentor (faculty, staff, or graduate students) and connects them with another mentor from the community. “We attempt to match students with members from the community in the profession or type of work in which the student hopes to engage upon graduation,” Dr. McKether said. As the organization enters its third year, efforts are paying off. Many students have experienced improvements in their grades and are in leadership roles on campus. In addition, the vast majority are returning to UT year after year. Even while noting student success, the organization faces its own hurdles. “A major obstacle we face is lack of infrastructure and staffing to coordinate the program,” noted Dr. McKether. “Despite our knowing what works in retention, the volunteer nature of the organization makes it difficult to sustain and sub-optimizes efforts.” The key to the organization’s continued success is financial support, according to Vern Snyder, UT vice president for Institutional Advancement. “Dr. McKether and Dr. Tony Quinn have accomplished a lot with very few resources. They have done wonders,” said Mr. Snyder. “Brothers on the Rise is worthy of support from our alumni and friends.” For information on supporting Brothers on the Rise, contact Vern Snyder at vern.snyder@utoledo.edu or 419-530-4249.

“First-generation, direct-from-high school, and low-income students particularly face unique challenges.” Being part of a predominantly white campus population, and often coming from an underperforming urban school district and a low-income household, he noted, can be intimidating and overwhelming. Brothers on the Rise, founded in 2011, offers these students a lifeline. The group’s objective is to help UT males, especially African-American and Latino, transition from high school to college. “We targeted this population because it has the lowest first to second-year retention and graduation rates on campus,” said Dr. McKether, Brothers on the Rise president. In 2013, 18 percent of UT’s African-American male students and 39 percent of Latino males graduated after six years, compared with 51 percent of the University’s white male students. The greatest gap is in the retention between the students’ first and second years of college. “When you see guys on campus one semester and you don’t see them the next, it hurts,” Dr. McKether said. “This is nothing short of a crisis. We lose kids all the time who want to be here but don’t know how to be here.” To assist this transition, the group’s dozen faculty volunteers conduct bi-weekly “real talk” discussions with members to address concerns such as study habits and social issues. The group also assigns each

The following donors have become eligible for special recognition:

Presidents ClubRichard AaronsAnnette L. BoiceRichard A. and Ruthanne E. ChaseDysautonomia Youth Nework of America, Inc.David and Bonnie MorlockNational Philanthropic TrustRothman Family FoundationSamuel Rubin Foundation, Inc.David A. and Angela D. ScardinaThermogenicsClar and Molly TylerEstate of Frances M. WeirichDr. Syed F. Zaidi

Heritage Oak SocietyRichard A. and Ruthanne E. ChaseEstate of Frances M. Weirich

as of Jan. 5, 2015

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HONORROLL

UT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORSOUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS

Name: Carol R. Kollarits, M.D.Profession: Ophthalmologist and founder of The Eye Institute of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.Residence: Whitehouse, OhioBest UT experience: I was the first full-time ophthalmologist at the former Medical College of Ohio and was program director of the Ophthalmology Residency until 1984. I am proud that all of my residents passed the American Board of Ophthalmology exam.UT areas of support: Medical students and Family Practice Residents see patients with me and observe my

WHY I GIVE: CAROL KOLLARITS, M.D.

laser treatments and cataract surgery. I also established The Frank J. Kollarits Bioengineering Lecture Series Fund in memory of my husband, who taught electrical engineering, engineering physics, and bioengineering for 30 years at UT. I am a charter member of the new UT Medical Research Society.Why I Give: I donate my time to teach doctors-in-training because I believe every doctor has an obligation to teach the next generation. I can personally vouch for the quality of doctors being produced by UTMC and trained in UT’s Family Practice Residency. My late husband, Frank, always said UT had one of the best engineering colleges in the world. He believed bringing in visiting lecturers would stimulate engineering research at UT and simultaneously introduce UT’s excellent faculty and students to the visiting professors. I am particularly excited about UT’s new Medical Research Society, because it supports start-up projects by young faculty with exciting ideas that might not be considered for funding from other established grant sources.

Outstanding UT alumni and friends were recognized by the Alumni Association at October Homecoming events. From left to right: Blue T Awardees Nancy and Jim Lapp, Alumni Association President Dr. Thomas Wakefield, UT Interim President Dr. Nagi Naganathan, UT Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Dan Saevig, Gold T Awardee Dr. Nina McClelland, and Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Awardee Benjamin Tran.

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Toledo, OhioPermit No. 242

MEET OUR BOARD

For address changes, please send the new address, along with this mailing panel, to the above address.

The University of Toledo Foundation Driscoll Center, MS#3192801 W. Bancroft St.Toledo, Ohio 43606-3395

To make a gift, contact a member of the fundraising staff:

VP, Office of InstitutionalAdvancementVern Snyder: 419-530-4249

Associate VP, Health Science CampusHoward Newman, JD: 419-383-6840

Associate VP, Main CampusBarbara Tartaglia-Poure: 419-530-2713

Corporations and FoundationsJan Shimshock: 419-530-5415

Planned GivingVern Snyder: 419-530-4249

Adult and LifelongLearningJeff Grilliot: 419-530-5320

AthleticsDave Nottke: 419-530-2510

Dan Stong: 419-530-5525

MEET OUR BOARD VP, Institutional

AdvancementVern Snyder, ACFRE: 419-530-4249

Associate VP, Health Science CampusHoward Newman, JD: 419-383-6840

Associate VP, Main CampusBarbara Tartaglia-Poure, CFRE: 419-530-2713

Corporations and FoundationsBrett Loney, JD, CFRE: 419-530-2408

Planned GivingL. Paul Hood, Jr., JD, LLM: 419-530-5303

Adult and LifelongLearningMatthew Shanahan: 419-530-5410

Justin Skiver is vice president - corporate transactions for Health Care REIT, Inc. He joined the company in 2009, first serving as a senior investment analyst. Mr. Skiver received a bachelor of business administration in finance and international business from Ohio University.

AthleticsDave Nottke: 419-530-2510

Business and InnovationDan Stong: 419-530-5525

Communication andThe ArtsMalory Sykes: 419-530-2603

EducationMark Alan Jones: 419-530-5415

EngineeringKristyn Theisen: 419-530-6175

Health SciencesMark Alan Jones: 419-530-5415

Health Science CampusLaura Robinson: 419-383-6645

HonorsMatthew Shanahan: 419-530-5410

To make a gift, contact a member of the fundraising staff:

Languages, Literature and Social SciencesMary Galvin: 419-530-4134

LawBarbara Tartaglia-Poure, CFRE: 419-530-2713

MedicineHoward Newman, JD: 419-383-6840

Natural Sciences and MathematicsMary Galvin: 419-530-4134

NursingHoward Newman, JD: 419-383-6840

PharmacyJeff Barton: 419-530-5413

Social Justice and Human ServiceMalory Sykes: 419-530-2603

UT LibrariesMary Galvin: 419-530-4134