Honoring Dr. David Descutner – His Legacy and Induction into the Communication Hall of Fame

There are countless members of faculty and staff at Ohio University who make a difference as they inspire learning and encourage student achievement. Few have influenced generations of students across such a wide spectrum of roles as Dr. David Descutner.

It is in the spirt of his unwavering commitment for others that we honor David and graciously encourage contributions to the endowment in his name. And in particular, at this time as we also celebrate his induction into the Ohio Communication Hall of Fame.

Thanks to a generous contribution from Dave Abram '89, $2,500 will unlock for this campaign when we reach 50 donors. 
UPDATE: Dave's $2,500 gift was unlocked on April 6. Thank you all!

David’s Career

While his responsibilities have stretched across multiple colleges and departments for over 40 years, at the epicenter of this journey is his initial role within the School of Communication Studies where he began as a professor in 1979.

Following his success in the School of Communication Studies, he served as the Honors Tutorial College director of studies, undergraduate director, graduate director, and interim director of the school. In 2001, he was appointed dean of University College and associate provost for undergraduate education. In 2009, he was named executive vice provost. In February 2017 he was named interim president of Ohio University, a position he held until June 2017 when he was named interim provost and executive vice president. He then retired a final time in December 2017.

David has received many honors over the years including University Professor in 1986 and 1999, Outstanding Tutor by HTC in 1996, and Outstanding Faculty Advocate by the regional campuses in 2005.

The Endowment and Points of Impact

The David Descutner Fund for Communication Studies was established in 2018, via a partnership between David and Dave Abram ’89 who shared a strong desire to create an endowment that blends a combination of attributes, not unlike the diversity of his roles at Ohio and passion for supporting underrepresented student populations.

Fully endowed in 2021, the scholarship has been awarded this year, to Lyric Albert, a senior who is set to graduate this spring. She is pursuing a major in communication studies, minors in marketing and advertising/PR and certificates in social media and diversity studies.

“David Descutner is the best kind of OHIOan. I closely followed his selfless leadership style, as he volunteered for numerous administrative positions for which his personal style PLUS expertise AND commitment to OHIO’s mission made him uniquely qualified. To me, Dr. Descutner always personifies what a thoughtful, constructive, non-cynical and value additive faculty member should look like. On learning that David did not have a scholarship established in his name, I took steps to honor David’s legacy of achievement and servitude to OHIO." – Dave Abram

Your Contribution

Your contribution to the David Descutner Communication Studies Fund not only celebrates a connection to David, but also the legacy and impact he has built during his tenure at Ohio University.

Your generous gift to this OHIO campaign will help undergraduate students in the School of Communication Studies

Your actions now will make this "Honoring Dr. David Descutner" campaign a success. Here are four things alumni and friends can do to support this fund and a bright future for OHIO students enrolled in the communication studies program:

• Make a gift today.
• Mail a check (payable to The Ohio University Foundation) to The Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701; be sure to write Descutner Comm Studies Fund on the memo line.
• Talk with Tori Marshall about a transformational gift to this fund.
• If you want to explore making a charitable gift to this campaign with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), giving via a Donor Advised Fund or stock transfer, please also reach out to Tori Marshall.

Photos

Descutner after announcing Faith Voinovich as the new Student Trustee in 2017

The Rev. Jack Sullivan, Jr., Descutner, and Greg Moore (Black Alumni Reunion 2019)

Descutner and Laura Harrison (International Street Fair, Athens)

OHIO alumnus David Crane receives an honorary doctorate degree with Descutner

Descuter on 2-wheels with Rufus!

Remember: A gift to the David Descutner Communication Studies Fund not only celebrates a connection to David, but also the legacy and impact he has built during his tenure at Ohio University. Give today! Thank you, and Go Bobcats!