Distinguished Service Award

Melissa M. Conrath

Throughout her remarkable career as an educator, Melissa M. Conrath, PhD, has played numerous roles, both formal and informal: director, superintendent, teacher, community leader, committed mentor and steadfast champion for students. Over nearly five decades in public education, Dr. Conrath has proven herself to be an educator who embodies what it means to lead through service.

A Buckeye alum who earned her doctorate in science education, Dr. Conrath most recently served as director of the Principal Licensure Program in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University, a role she held until her retirement in 2022. She was responsible for recruitment, orientation, advising, mentoring and student instruction in a number of graduate-level courses. She single-handedly led the program’s faculty through the accreditation process and worked with Fisher College of Business to co-lead a two-year principal professional development program for entry-level principals in Columbus City Schools.

Prior to her tenure at Ohio State, Dr. Conrath held various roles in public teaching and administration. A trailblazer, she was central Ohio’s first female superintendent, leading Big Walnut Local Schools and then Worthington City Schools. She began her career as a science teacher in Marysville and Edgerton, where she taught middle- and high-school biology, physics, ecology and physical science and coached sports.

Dr. Conrath has given back generously to the community, with service to numerous boards and civic organizations. She has volunteered as a guest speaker in Ohio State classes, and countless students have shared that her lessons on classroom assessment have had a strong impact on their learning and decision-making. She has served on the board of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and as president of the Franklin County Superintendents Association, among other roles. She has been widely honored for community service and exemplary leadership, with awards including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators Exemplary Educational Leadership Award and the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration.

In retirement, Dr. Conrath remains a highly respected leader who is regularly sought out for her expertise and perspectives on a host of K-12 leadership issues.

William B. Farrar

Dr. William B. Farrar dedicated nearly five decades to The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) as a surgical oncologist, cancer researcher and medical administrator, helping elevate the cancer program to an internationally recognized institution.

During his tenure, Dr. Farrar served as Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology for 28 years and established the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, the first free-standing, multi-disciplinary breast center at OSUCCC – James. He was appointed interim CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in 2017 and assumed the permanent role in 2019, serving until his retirement in May 2022. Over his career, he performed more than 20,000 cancer operations, treating nearly every type of cancer except brain cancer.

In that time, Dr. Farrar led the oncology fellowship program at Ohio State and The James, training more than 71 fellows who have since become leaders in the field.

On a national level, Dr. Farrar served as President of the U.S. National Committee for the International Union Against Cancer and as Principal Investigator for the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Clinical Trial group at Ohio State. He also contributed to numerous national committees, including the Training Directions Committee for the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Joint Council for Advanced Training in Head and Neck Oncology Surgery, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Cancer, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Beyond his professional contributions, Dr. Farrar has been a steadfast supporter of The James, building strong relationships with donors, board members, and colleagues and inspiring others to join his efforts. Even in retirement, he continues to serve on The OSUCCC – James Foundation Board, contributing his experience and expertise.

Dr. Farrar earned his bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and his MD from the University of Virginia. He and his wife of fifty years, Kathryn, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Elizabeth B. Germain and Richard B. Germain

Libby and Rick Germain have devoted their philanthropy, talents and energy to a wide variety of programs and initiatives at The Ohio State University, including Student Life, Athletics, The James Cancer Hospital, Pelotonia and the Foundation Board.

Mrs. Germain actively supports The Ohio State University in a variety of ways. She currently serves as a director on The Ohio State University Foundation Board and has served as a member of The James Foundation Board since 2015. Beyond her involvement with Ohio State, she serves as Board Chair for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, among other community activities.

Mr. Germain spent his career experiencing progressive growth in the automotive industry. He is the owner of Germain Automotive Partnership, which currently operates 17 locations with 1,300 employees across Ohio, Florida and Michigan. He serves as a board member of Recreation Unlimited. Under his leadership, Germain Automotive formed a Pelotonia team that will celebrate its 10th year in 2025.

A high philanthropic priority for the Germains has been supporting Ohio State’s efforts to recruit and retain top physicians. They contributed generously to the Cancer Strategic Support Fund, allowing The James to embark upon a bold recruiting process to attract top talent. The Germains also supported the Cellular Therapy and Cancer Immunology Program, a collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

The Germains have devoted significant time and resources to the Office of Student Life and the development of an exceptional student experience. Mrs. Germain is particularly interested in programs that foster student leadership, such as BuckeyeThon, Ohio State’s largest student-run philanthropy. Mrs. Germain mentors students, helps them fundraise, and supports events to benefit patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

As passionate supporters of Ohio State Athletics, the Germains have made leadership gifts to scholarships, the football program, Olympic sports, and contributed to the creation of first-class facilities for Buckeye student-athletes. They are also strong advocates for students involved in the Brutus Buckeye mascot program.

Mrs. Germain is an alumna of The Ohio State University, while Mr. Germain graduated from the University of Denver. The couple have four children and 11 grandchildren. They reside in Columbus, Ohio, but enjoy spending time in Naples, Florida, and at their farm in Knox County.

Charles R. Wise

Charles R. Wise, PhD, served as the founding director of the John Glenn School (now College) of Public Affairs of The Ohio State University from 2007-2013. He is currently professor emeritus in the John Glenn College and teaching in the college’s Washington Master of Public Affairs program.

As founding director, Dr. Wise established the strategy and culture of the Glenn College, launched its first undergraduate degree, and dramatically grew the core faculty. After stepping down from the director’s role, he has continued to contribute to the academic life of the college and university by conducting and publishing peer-reviewed research; teaching at the graduate, professional and doctoral levels; and serving on the college’s Board of Visitors. Dr. Wise has also generously supported the college’s students, having established two scholarship funds.

Prior to his service at Ohio State, Dr. Wise was associate dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs of Indiana University, where he earned master’s and doctorate degrees.

He served as director of the Parliamentary Development Project for Ukraine which was headquartered at Ohio State, and which aided the Ukrainian Parliament in developing into a stronger and more democratic representative institution. He also served in the United States Department of Justice, first as special assistant for policy analysis and then as the first director of intergovernmental affairs for the department.

Dr. Wise was elected president of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration and was selected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Three times his research was awarded the Mosher Award for best academic article of the year published in the Public Administration Review, public administration’s leading journal. He is the only scholar to have received the award three times. He also served as managing editor of the Public Administration Review. His latest book, published by Cambridge University Press in 2024, is The Courts and the President: Judicial Review of Presidential Directed Action.

Dr. Wise embodies Ohio State’s motto of “Education for Citizenship” through his commitment to inspiring citizenship, developing leaders and continuing to pay forward through his teaching and giving.