Past Award Recipients
Dorian Smith, 2024-25
Dorian Smith pursues partnerships across the university to support Black, Native, and Indigenous students and is a leader in the university's Finish in Four scholarship program. In addition to inspiring donors to support OSU’s $1.75 billion-dollar fundraising campaign, the Educational Opportunities Program and Finish in Four scholarships, Dorian has helped raise over $10,000 for Black student access and success during Dam Proud Day each year.
President Emeritus Ed Ray, 2023-24
Throughout Ed Ray’s 17-year tenure as president – and the years since – he has been an extraordinary philanthropic leader. He has created multiple endowed scholarships and other funds benefiting students, particularly in the performing arts as well as the economics department, where he is on the faculty. He is especially well known for making challenge gifts that inspire other donors, and he also responds generously to other donors’ challenges.
“The source of my passion for philanthropy is no different than the passion that I know each of you have for teaching, learning, creative work, research and the absolute abiding understanding that our graduates are the most important contribution that we make to the future,” Ed said when he received the award.
Karen Swanger, 2022-23
As the director of KidSpirit, Karen Swanger leads by example, embracing the philanthropic opportunities available to grow her program’s impact thoughtfully, both for now and the future. She embodies her strong conviction to inspire youth and staff to exemplify integrity, empathy, perseverance, and optimism.
Karen is a steadfast donor and fundraiser, partnering in efforts to create at-once funding for the programs she serves. On top of that, while most units have utilized the OSU Foundation’s annual Dam Proud Day to raise funds for immediate use, Karen has taken a long view by focusing on growing an endowment to make KidSpirit more accessible to youth of all backgrounds, in perpetuity. She also has engaged with the Women’s Giving Circle – successfully applying for grants that helped KidSpirit launch the “Girls on the Run” program and created a “Positive Youth Development Coaching Certificate” for students interested in becoming youth coaches.
Ilene Kleinsorge, 2021-22
Ilene Kleinsorge, dean emerita of the College of Business, was the inaugural recipient of the OSU Foundation’s OSU Loyal Philanthropic Partner Award. Throughout her career and beyond, Ilene has been an invaluable collaborator and constant champion for OSU, our students, and programs. She generously supports business students, the arts and other critical initiatives, and in retirement, she is an active volunteer leader in many local organizations.
“No one finds success without the help of others,” she said when she received the award. “I am motivated to give back where I have received benefit or where I think I can actually change lives… My community provides me a safe place to live, to learn, to play. Therefore, I’m motivated to give back.”