The Ohio State University Board of Trustees recently recognized Marion native, university advocate, donor, and volunteer Trella Hemmerly Romine with the university’s 2012 Distinguished Service Award.
The Distinguished Service Award was established by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees in 1952 to recognize individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the university.
A loyal friend to The Ohio State University at Marion for many years, she was instrumental in establishing the Larry Yoder Prairie Nature Center on campus and supported the continued operation of the prairie for more than a decade. She has served as an advocate for continued research and preservation of the land surrounding the campus, and established an endowed scholarship to support students studying science at Ohio State Marion.
Ohio State Marion Dean and Director, Gregory S. Rose, described Romine as, “part of the glue that binds the university to the community.”
“She continues to serve as an amazing role model of life-long learning and teaching,” explained Dr. Richard Bradley, associate professor of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at The Ohio State University at Marion.
“Her dedication to The Ohio State University at Marion is impossible to overestimate,” he added.
Dr. Robert Klips, associate professor of evolution ecology and organismal biology at Ohio State Marion, characterized the historian and self-taught botanist as, “a worthy recipient of this award to acknowledge her contributions.”
“Ms. Trella Romine has been both an inspiration and an indefatigable supporter of science education at Ohio State Marion for many years,” said Klips.
In addition to her longtime commitment to Ohio State Marion, Romine has become one of the most iconic residents of Marion County. She has spent the measure of her life improving the community, serving as a conservationist, historian, and volunteer for many organizations. She has earned countless awards for her leadership and volunteer activities, most notably, the 2011 President’s Award for Volunteerism for her more than 4,000 hours volunteering at the Marion County Historical Society.
In honor of her recognition and continued service to The Ohio State University, Romine will join Ohio State President, Dr. Gordon Gee for a special dinner and take part in recognition at Ohio State’s summer commencement ceremony in the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Sunday, August 12, 2012. The Marion campus will hold a community ceremony and presentation of the award locally at Ohio State Marion’s Larry R. Yoder Prairie Nature Center this summer.
Her photo will be prominently displayed in Morrill Hall Lobby on the Marion campus in honor of this recognition. Romine joins Marion resident Alice Galloway, who won the award in 2008, as the second local area recipient of The Ohio State University Distinguished Service Award.
