Ann D. Christy
Professor, Department of Engineering Education
Ann D. Christy’s success in teaching, research and service to the university make her a well-rounded faculty member. She consistently takes a leadership role in teaching, administrative and curricular matters, and her contributions have transformed the Engineering Education Innovation Center into a full-fledged academic department, the Department of Engineering Education. Christy is not interested in resting on her laurels, however. She continues to serve the department and the college by developing a proposal to create an engineering education PhD program at The Ohio State University that would be one of only a few in the United States.
Her record of faculty service stretches back to the beginning of her career at Ohio State when she, an untenured professor at the time, participated in the ABET accreditation process and served as chair of the Departmental Academic Affairs Committee. With an aptitude for getting things done and a willingness to lend her time and talent for the good of the university, she is an asset to every project and committee in which she is involved.
While an associate professor, Christy was selected to serve as Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Service, a role typically filled by a full professor, but granted to Christy for her exceptional interpersonal skills and collegiality. During the university’s semester conversion, she was recruited to by the Office of Academic Affairs to lead faculty to think big as they re-envisioned their curricula. She continues her legacy of service today on the advisory council for the University Institute for Teaching and Learning.
Christy holds a PhD in Environmental Systems Engineering from Clemson University. Among her many research interests, she studies bio-environmental engineering, field and laboratory studies of solid waste management systems and landfill bioreactors.
Timothy Gerber
Professor, School of Music
In more than three decades in the School of Music, Timothy Gerber has distinguished himself through his tireless commitment to teaching, research and service to Ohio State.
He has served the University Senate for 12 years, including leading multiple committees and as chair-elect of the Senate Faculty Leadership and chair of the Faculty Council. While a Faculty Senate leader, Gerber took on a significant role ushering the university through the semester conversion process. His success with that led to his nomination and subsequent approval as Secretary of the University Senate—a position he held for two terms under two university presidents. Gerber’s colleagues describe his contributions to the University Senate as constructive and insightful, and describe him as a peacemaker and a leader who is guided by his belief in and commitment to the university community. Gerber is the person others turn to when committees need to be filled, because of his extensive personal network and his ability to identify leadership qualities in other colleagues.
Gerber has led or served on several initiatives for the president, provost and trustees, including the planning committee for the Institute for Teaching and Learning and the executive committee for the Second-year Transformational Experience Program. In addition, he has hosted the Big Ten Academic Alliance Senate group meeting.
For his excellence in teaching, Gerber has been recognized with the Distinguished Teaching Award in School of Music and was named Distinguished Scholar as well. Although his teaching, research and service keep him busy, he also serves the Columbus community as a music teacher in Columbus Public Schools.
Gerber holds a DMA and an MEd from Temple University. His research interests include music teacher education, musical development in adolescents and arts policy in secondary schools.
Deborah J. Merritt
John Deaver Drinko - Baker & Hostetler Chair in Law, Moritz College of Law
One nominator calls Deborah J. Merritt a “difference-maker” when it comes to advancing policies and programs at Ohio State. From diversity enhancement to research and development to education reform, she gives generously of her time and expertise for the betterment of the Moritz College of Law and the university.
On the University Senate, Merritt served on the Evaluation of Central Administrators committee, and an ad-hoc committee that was responsible for creating the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas. She has also served on the advisory committee to the Senior Vice President for Research and the University Committee on Affirmative Action, and recently as associate director for the Center for Higher Education Enterprise.
In the 2013-14 academic year, Merritt was appointed faculty convener of the Advisory Subcommittee to the Board of Trustees Presidential Search Committee. Her role gathering faculty, staff and student input about the presidential search required countless hours meeting with an array of university constituents. Her ability to work effectively with different groups with a range of needs and styles is a testament to her leadership, listening skills and patience. She also led the process of creating the Presidential Profile and University Portrait, during which Merritt effectively facilitated multiple discussions among large, diverse committees.
Merritt managed to execute these leadership responsibilities while continuing to serve Ohio State’s students as an outstanding educator. She has twice received the college’s top teaching recognition, the Morgan E. Shipman Outstanding Professor Award, and in 2009 was honored with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Merritt holds a JD from Columbia Law School. Her areas of expertise include civil rights and civil liberties, clinical education, criminal law, evidence and law and social science.
