Dr. Glen Hoffsis Appointed Dean

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Dr. Glen Hoffsis Appointed Dean
Jrom the editor's Desk:
Looking through some old copies of The Speculum, I found this written by Dean Krill in the
No. 2,1955 issue: "This past fall quarter was a memorable one for the alumni and student
body of the University.. . .An undefeated football season and with it representation in the
Rose Bowl." We believed those words written 40 years ago would echo true today. With
another winning season and probable trip to the Rose Bowl, there was much excitement on
the Ohio State campus this fall—then came the loss to Michigan, followed by the bitter defeat
in the Citrus Bowl! However, I am certain many loyal Buckeye fans are already looking
forward to the 1996 season. Speaking of old Speculums, I have a complete set starting with
the first issue published as a College publication in 1948. Feel free to stop in any time and
look through some of these older issues.
We begin this issue, the first since the appointment of our new dean, with an interview with
Dean Hoffsis. He was asked to discuss his immediate goals for the College. Next you will
find an in-depth interview with professor emeritus Leroy Johnson. Dr. Johnson is still living
in Upper Arlington and was excited to share his thoughts with his former students. Two
other articles we hope will interest you are the look at the veterinary fraternities and the
unusual patients being treated at the Veterinary Hospital.
Mark your calendars now for the next Annual Alumni Meeting, scheduled for September 20­
21. At that time we will be celebrating reunions for the Classes of 1946,1956,1966,1971,1976,
and 1986. If you are a member of one of these classes, you will be hearing from your class
president in the spring.
In the meantime, please know you can always call me at the College Alumni Office, 614/292­
1171, with questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Happy New Year!
Ronnie Christopher

Managing Editor
SPECULUM

UJ
Speculum Advisory Committee:
Charles Neer, DVM, Chair X
David Farst, DVM
Diane Gerken, DVM
Sharron Martin, DVM
Dan Pattern, RBP Volume XXXXVIII Number 2 1995

Stephen Reed, DVM
Tod Schadler, DVM
n
Editor
Bonnie Christopher Bates
e y\ctv£. n>iA £vcnts

Student Editor
Cover Stonj: Dean Hoffsis Discusses Goals and Priorities as New Dean .

Barb Bischoff, VME II

Feature Interview: Dr. Leroy E. Johnson .4

Cover Design/Consultant
Fraternally Yours: A History of Alpha Psi and Omega Tau Sigma .6

Robert Hummel
House Pigs and Pet Iguanas: Welcome to the OSU Veterinary Hospital 11

Contributing Writers
Dr. Podell Receives NIH Grant 14

Richard M. Bednarski, DVM
A Look at the College's Most Recent Graduates 16

William R. Fenner, DVM
News from the Hospital Director 17

Kristine McComis
Pet Loss Support Hotline 17

Charles A. Neer, DVM
College Career Fair 19

Larry L. Rummell
SCAVMA Hosts Dr. Grandin 20

Walter Threlfall, DVM
Raptor Rehab Update 20

Roy S. Zirm, DVM
Cathy C. Zirkle
Student Reporters
Carrie Baumann, VME III
Development News 22

Missy Beall
Student Scholarships 24

Laura Fulks, VME III

Lisa Heller, VME I

Acu 33

Allie Kulow

Alecia Larew, VME II

Lisa Nadasi, VME I

Timothy A. Ness, VME I
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences 35

Amy Olesen, VME III
Other Department News 38

Photography
John Jewett
.40

John Swartz, RBP
The Speculum is published twice a year
President's Letter 43

by The Ohio State University College of
Alumni Awards Nomination Form 44

Veterinary Medicine. It is published for
Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes 45

the dissemination of news to alumni,
Annual Alumni Meeting 47

faculty, students and other interested
Alumni Recognition Award Recipients 49

persons.
Class Reunions 50

Contributions are welcome but we
Class Personals 52

reserve the right to edit material.
Obituaries 58

Please address correspondence to:
1996 Continuing Education Calendar 60

Editor, The Speculum
College of Veterinary Medicine
1900 Coffey Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Phone: [phone]
When you move, please send both old and
By executive action, this logo became the
new addresses. official Ohio State University College of
Veterinary Medicine logo on January 13, 1972.
Cover: Photo of Dean Glen Hoffsis at It should retain the original design when being
OSU Dairy Barn by John Jewett reproduced.
Cover stonj: Dr. Glen Hoffsis Discusses His Goals and Priorities
as the New Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine
by Barb Bischoff, VME II, Student Editor unique things a college can do. The
photos by lolm Jcwett research effort is the fountainhead
of new standards in practice, the
As many of you know, the basis for good teaching, and the
University gave its stamp of outlet for keeping scientific minds
approval to the work Dr. Glen F. stimulated."
Hoffsis had started as interim dean
by appointing him to the position of "From a practical standpoint, a
Dean of the OSU College of strong research enterprise generates
Veterinary Medicine this past funding that builds the
summer. infrastructure," Dean Hoffsis
explained. "By that I mean Dean Hoffsis welcomes OSU President
E. Gordon Gee during a recent College
So what goals does Dean Hoffsis equipment, instruments, positions
visit.
have for our veterinary college — both technical and professional
which, as he points out, has always — and then the enterprise will see position will coordinate research
been one of the best in the nation? growth and expansion. When we do proposals within the College of
"As I look at the 27 U. S. colleges, that we provide more experiences Veterinary Medicine, seek new
nearly all are really quite for our students, more capability for opportunities for research funding,
accomplished, high quality our clinical specialists because they and facilitate new teams of
institutions, so to be ranked in the have more equipment to work with, researchers which could be
upper tier is quite an achievement and they are on the forefront to combined from across departments
in itself," Dean Hoffsis explained. apply the new knowledge generated and across colleges, such as the
"Therefore, we have an excellent in the labs. It is one of the things colleges of the health sciences,
starting point." that makes really good veterinary agriculture, and biological sciences.
colleges great."
"I like to build. I'd like our College "We've already begun this push
to develop further," Dean Hoffsis While negotiating for the deanship, toward a more research-oriented
said. "I believe our goal should be Dr. Hoffsis convinced the college because the faculty that
to position ourself as the upper University of the need for, and we've recently hired have had
third or fourth veterinary college in received funding for, a dean of excellent research capability and
North America. I think that's where research within the College of credentials," Dean Hoffsis pointed
Ohio State belongs. But to Veterinary Medicine. "I will open out. "So we've already begun to
accomplish that, we will have to this position to veterinarians as well look at ways in which we can
push a little harder and become as non-veterinarians," Dean Hoffsis increase our productivity even
more efficient." said. "I want this individual to be before we get the research dean on
an active researcher. I would prefer board."
"In order for us to advance our an outside individual because it
ranking, one thing which will have affords the greatest opportunity to Dean Hoffsis also is interested in
to improve is our research introduce fresh ideas to the gender issues. Women have been
productivity, because the top- College." graduating from veterinary colleges
ranked colleges have more in the majority for enough years
extramural grant support than we The dean for research will be a that the proportion of women in
do. They also have more faculty faculty member and will devote half administrative and faculty ranks
devoted to their research mission. of his/her time to faculty duties, also will be increasing.
Research advances new knowledge, and the other half to administering
which is a prime mission of a and advancing the research "I want to make sure we provide
veterinary college. It's one of the program. The person chosen for the the same opportunities for
Issue 2, 1995
employment and advancement for Dean Hoffsis said. "With both
female faculty as we historically alternates in the project, we have a
have for our male faculty. Our shortfall of approximately $200,000.
faculty currently is 80% male and That will complete the $7 million
our administration is 100% male. I project. We will need continued
suspect this is similar to other funding for equipment. It's very
colleges of veterinary medicine difficult tn fully equip a new
nationwide. We have been hospital." Construction of the
graduating veterinary classes that building is progressing well.
are 65-70% female for many years. Currently, the walls are up and the
Following a lecture, Dr. Hoffsis answers
We are just now at the point in time roof structure is being built.
some questions from his students.
when women will be moving into
faculty and administrative ranks in Artwork for the equine center is
similar numbers. I think this trend being planned. "There will be
is inevitable and it is imperative that $40,000 spent on artwork, which is estimated to be an $18 million
we recruit and retain the most the amount mandated by state law project. We will be raising funds for
capable women because the best in the project," Dean Hoffsis said. that building as well. We need to
candidates are very likely to be "We are commissioning John raise $1.8 million in private money.
women. Therefore, I am committed Garton, DVM (OSU 77), to do a There would be some naming
to maintaining a conducive woodcarving on the evolution of the opportunities, potentially even the
environment for the advancement horse. He will do four horses that naming of the entire building."
of women within our system." will be in various stages of
development in the evolutionary Dean Hoffsis is optimistic about the
Other initiatives in progress include process. They will be on display on future of the College. "As I look at
the equine center and plans to the second floor." building this program, there are
replace Sisson Hall. Daniel M. many aspects that we do in
Galbreath, one of the major As for the replacement of Sisson excellent fashion. The educational
fundraisers and donors to the Hall, the OSU Board of Trustees has program for our professional
equine center passed away this fall. placed it sixth on a priority list. The students which includes excellent
In honor of his contributions, the next step depends on the funding clinical experience is equal to the
best of any College. We must
center was named the Daniel M. level in the capital bill approved by
preserve this strength. The research
Galbreath Equine Trauma, Intensive the Board of Regents and the Ohio
objectives must be added to our
Care, and Research Center. legislature.
many existing strengths. So we're
not replacing something. We are
Both alternates, the connector to the Dean Hoffsis explained that "we
adding on."
main hospital and the high-speed would preserve the 1987 addition to
treadmill facility, are being included Sisson Hall because it is an excellent
in the equine center. "The funding building and it can stand alone since "We have a loyal and supportive
on the project is nearly complete," it has its own utilities. The rest of alumni group; I see that as a real
Sisson Hall would be torn down." strength. In addition, we have
excellent faculty and staff in the
"The new building would contain College.
classrooms, the library, research
labs, teaching labs, faculty offices, "Another strength we have just
and conference rooms. It is recently developed is our
"We have a loyal and supportive alumni group; I see that as a real
strength. In addition, we have excellent faculty and staff in the
College," said Dean Hoffsis.
Dean Hoffsis presides over a monthly
College Executive Committee meeting.
The Speculum
restructuring. We have been Clinical Sciences—Dr. Robert "Restructuring sets the stage for the
restructured now for one year. The Sherding; the Department of College to advance. I think we are
stage is set for us to sharpen the Veterinary Biosciences—Dr. in excellent position and with
focus of each department within the Charles Capen; and the continued University and alumni
College." The three new Department of Veterinary support, we will move forward."Q.
departments and department chairs Preventive Medicine—Dr. Kent
are: the Department of Veterinary Hoblet.
Feature interview: Prof essor Emeritus Leroy E. Johnson

by Barb Bischoff, VME II, Student Editor degree in education. At that time, e f •li
k
Columbus schools would not hire r 1
, .
3
Dr. Leroy (Lee) E. Johnson retired married women, therefore she read | - *% off I
from OSU in 1980 as a professor of to and tutored the blind, while Dr. i *
equine surgery. Even after being Johnson had jobs ranging from 1
away from practice for 15 years, Dr. janitor to the University and Longs
Johnson's passion for animals, as Bookstores, and the night shift at the •i
well as his concern for fellow human Kroger bakery. » /• -7-—.-, . '
beings, is readily apparent. "For me,
the reason to be in veterinary The year 1942 was a year for 1
medicine is to relieve pain in celebration—Dr. Johnson received
animals," he said. "I believe that's his DVM degree from OSU and the
the chief reason for a veterinarian's Johnsons' first son was born. Dr.
existence. I decided early in life to Johnson stayed at OSU to earn his
do whatever I could to alleviate pain master's degree and to specialize in
in animals." surgery under head surgeon, Dr.
Willard Guard.
Although Dr. Johnson started his most of which was testing for
college days as a law student at After completing his master's Bang's Disease," he explained. "I
Miami University, he soon decided degree, Dr. Johnson was offered a also did graduate work in
he wanted a major involved with position at the University of Illinois pathology."
physical sciences and switched to Diagnostics Laboratory in 1943. At
veterinary medicine. the time, that university did not In 1945, Dr. Johnson accepted a
have a veterinary school. The position as an assistant professor at
He attributes his education to United States was in the middle of Colorado State, working with Dr.
Louise, his wife of 60 years, whom World War II. By getting the Draft Farquharson, an innovative large
he married after his second year at Board's approval to move to Illinois, animal surgeon who was
Miami. "Her devotion, Dr. Johnson avoided being drafted investigating new surgical
encouragement, and self sacrifice as a private rather than a second procedures. Dr. Johnson says the
made my education possible," Dr. lieutenant. only mistake he made in taking that
Johnson explains. "When people position was driving cross country
ask the secret to our marriage, I tell Much of the work at the Diagnostics through snowstorms in January
them it's because she always tries to Laboratory involved swine and with his wife and their three-year­
give me the biggest piece of cake, poultry. "While at the University of old son. "Route 36 goes across the
and I always try to give her the Illinois, I got a lot of experience in top of Kansas. For much of that
biggest." Mrs. Johnson graduated both gross and microscopic distance, about 400 miles, we
from Miami University with a pathology. I also oversaw serology, followed a snow plow."
Issue 2, 1995
"After I'd been there about a month, Minnesota, for oral exams. He was pharmacology course. And once
(Dr. Farquharson) turned me loose awarded a two-year fellowship in again, it was Dr. Johnson's
so I had a great deal of experience experimental surgery research, so compassion that guided his
with surgical procedures common OSU granted him a leave of thoughts. While at Mayo Clinic, he
to the area due to the absence to further his training. saw a little girl who covered her
preponderance of cattle (in deformed face with both hands to
Colorado), unlike this area where The two major areas of his work at avoid the embarrassment of others'
they are uncommon. I had never Mayo Clinic involved cardiac arrest stares. He was so moved by this
seen a prolapsed vagina." Dr. and liver lymphatics. "At the time, girl and other deformed children
Farquharson had perfected a no one knew the actual distribution that he seriously considered plastic
surgical procedure to correct this of lymphatics of the liver," Dr. surgery as a career, but his earlier
problem. He let Dr. Johnson watch Johnson explained. "This work commitment to alleviating pain in
a procedure, then he was on his explained how primary cancer of animals took priority. He decided
own. "There were so many (cattle) the liver is capable of getting into to stay in veterinary medicine and
with cystic calculi that I might have the lungs and vice versa." Dr. returned to OSU. While in
a dozen (urethrotomies) to do in the Johnson was one of four Fellows Rochester, the Johnsons added a
morning. We would line them up selected to present their research third son to their family. "I thought
and give them an epidural and a papers to the department heads at I'd better stop moving because
sedative. I had a stool, and I moved the Mayo Clinic. He also presented every place we moved we had a
down the line, one by one." his findings to the Josiah Macy Jr. baby," Dr. Johnson chuckled.
Foundation, a foundation devoted
Dr. Johnson gave one of the to medical research. Dr. Johnson returned to OSU as a
university's sheep herdsmen a scare large animal surgeon, but he soon
when he examined a ram imported Dr. Johnson also conducted phased out of the food animal
from Scotland. "I took a look and in research in cardiac arrest that led to aspect due to the large demand for
the urethral process there was chronological procedures for equine services. "OSU had a
hemorrhage and a stone in the end treating cardiac arrest. He waiting list of 30-50 horses at
of it. Before he could stop me, I presented his recommendations at times."
clipped some of the (urethral an international cardiology
process) off. He almost went to meeting. The steps for treating In the early 1950s, Dr. Johnson
pieces. He said, 'You've ruined him cardiac arrest included intubation, researched the use of enzyme
for breeding.' I told him I really thoracotomy, heart message, therapy with chymotrypsin and
hadn't and he would see the next electrical stimulation with paddles, Tryptar, a crystallized trypsin. The
breeding season. The old school and use of proper drugs. Little did treatment was useful for destroying
thought the urethral process was an he know that his life would depend necrotic tissue. Since live cells
important and necessary breeding on these procedures one day. contain a trypsin-inhibitor, only
appendage." necrotic tissue was destroyed. Dr.
Dr. Johnson enjoyed his work at the Johnson received two patents as a
Just three years later, Dr. Guard Mayo Clinic, and he was offered a result of his research: for a method
offered Dr. Johnson a position to position in any surgical area he (device) for delivering gamma rays
return to OSU in large animal chose. "By the time I was to leave to joints of horses and for a
surgery, which he accepted. This there, I thought I was the luckiest fireproof bedding material for
move involved an addition to the person in the world with the horses.
family, as the Johnsons' second son education I had. I couldn't have
had been born while they were in had it better." It was at this point
Dr. Johnson raised thoroughbred
Fort Collins. in his career that the veterinary
horses for racing and hunting. On
medicine profession almost lost this
occasion some of their horses were
outstanding individual to another
Within a year of his return to OSU, kept in Lexington, Kentucky, to be
field—human medicine. The only
Dr. Johnson was antsy to do bred. This necessitated frequent
courses he needed to receive an
something else. He applied for a trips and flying was almost a
M.D. degree were anatomy,
fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and necessity for keeping in touch with
contagious diseases, and possibly a
made two trips to Rochester,
The Speculum
the breeding program and He has since channeled his energy visited some of the Civil War
consultations. He took flying into several areas. He has served as battlefields and have talked with the
instruction at OSU and received a vice president and president of the curator of the Virginia Military
private pilot's license. In one year, Upper Arlington Chapter of the Institute where Jackson's horse is on
he had logged 36 plane trips and 50 American Association of Retired exhibit.
paper presentations. People (AARP). He also served as a
committee member for the Ohio One of Dr. Johnson's most
Dr. Johnson received a NIH grant in Food and Drug Administration and important research tools these days
conjunction with another researcher for four years on the State is the computer. "I don't write
at OSU Hospitals to research Legislative Committee. anything longhand anymore," he
heterologist kidney transplants. By said. "I do research using Netscape,
establishing preferred dosages and Much of Dr. Johnson's time is spent etc. The computer was down for
combinations of drugs to prevent investigating the use of horses two weeks and I about went
rejection, Dr. Johnson and his during the Civil War. "I put bananas!" His hobbies include
colleagues extended the survival together a talk, illustrated with photography, woodworking, and
time in dogs being used for the slides, of important horses during using the computer to research
research from 48 hours, initially, to the Civil War," he said. "I horses and their effect and influence
six weeks. This research laid the frequently start a talk by asking a on the Civil War. He also has
important groundwork for the rhetorical question: "Why did the enjoyed oil painting through the
success of kidney transplants. South lose the War? Because they years, but feels he has neglected this
ran out of horses. This gets hobby due to his lack of time and
In 1972, Dr. Johnson had his first everyone's attention, especially after talent.
heart attack and survived, in part, it is proven to them—well, to most
due to the procedures he had of them." He has presented the talk Dr. and Mrs. Johnson have three
developed in his earlier research at to student groups, service groups sons, Chris, Eric, and Josh, and
the Mayo Clinic. In order to slow such as Kiwanis and Lions, retirees seven "exceptional" grandchildren,
down a bit, he decided not to at Dublin Village, and horse clubs. four in college and three in high
pursue additional NIH funds for He intends to collaborate with his school. His endeering interest in
continued research in the area of youngest son, who majored in horses prompts him to paraphrase a
kidney transplants. Dr. Johnson English, to write a book about famous saying, "Ask not what the
retired from OSU in 1980 after horses used during the Civil War. horse can do for you, but what you
having quadruple bypass surgery. Dr. Johnson and his wife have can do for the horse!"O
Fraternally Yours:
The History of Alpha Psi and Omega Tau Sigma

by Cathy C. Zirkle
Fraternities have existed almost communicative skills. The Ohio
since the origination of colleges. State University School of Veterinary
A fraternity is defined as "a body of Although they are often paired with Medicine originated in 1885. This
people associated for a common a soiree connotation, professional name was changed to The College
purpose or interest, joined by fraternities are actually quite of Veterinary Medicine in 1897. The
similar backgrounds, occupations, advantageous by bonding the first veterinary fraternity, Alpha Psi,
interests or tastes" (American student with the college and was founded in 1907 at OSU. Four
Heritage College Dictionary). surrounding community. years later, Omega Tau Sigma
Professional fraternities consist of Fraternities benefit the veterinary became the college's second
persons preparing for, or working student in various ways, not only by veterinary fraternity. Upholding
in, such professions as education, encouraging educational values, but their founding beliefs, as well as
law, medicine and science. also through achieving social and embracing the evolvement of
Issue 2, 1995
became members are often aided in finding
incorporated as a job placement while completing
national fraternity. their education and following
With the same graduation. Close involvement with
intent of a professional fraternity emphasizes
promoting to its members the importance of
friendship and extraordinary professional ethics,
cooperation strict personal standards, and sound
among veterinary veterinary practices. The veterinary
students on an students also learn the importance of
academic and a teamwork through campus and
social scale, the community obligations, as well as
University of independence, responsibility, and
current objectives, the Alpha Psi Pennsylvania
and Omega Tau Sigma fraternities formed the Alpha
link veterinary students with one Chapter of Omega
another, the college, faculty, and the Tau Sigma in 1906.
community. Five years later, on
November 25, 1911,
These two national fraternities were the Gamma
initially organized for very similar Chapter of OTS was
reasons. In the preamble of Alpha organized at OSU
Psi's constitution, the fraternity's with a membership
objectives are clearly stated and of 12 veterinary
remain true today for both students.
fraternities:
In 1979, the national organizations reliability on an personal level.
We, the students of the College of of Alpha Psi and OTS combined Through the sharing of similar ideas
Veterinary Medicine of the Ohio State efforts in an attempt to familiarize and experiences, not only
University, in order to promote a students with the long-standing academically but also socially, the
stronger bond between the veterinary benefits of joining a professional fraternity members are taught the
colleges of the United States and veterinary fraternity, as well as to expectations of contemporary
Canada; to create a better feeling among convey their shared fraternal society. By organizing and
the students of all veterinary colleges, objective of promoting "the implementing fraternity functions
and to infuse a deeper interest in the development and maintenance of and gatherings, the members not
study of veterinary science, do hereby the professional school image" only develop leadership and
establish this constitution for the (Alpha Psi brochure). In this joint communication skills, but also enjoy
ALPHA PSI, the national veterinary venture, Alpha Psi and OTS a recess from the rigorous routine of
fraternity. enthusiastically cite the ten veterinary education. Lastly, the
foremost fraternal functions and professional veterinary fraternities
Alpha Psi was organized at The their accompanying veterinary allow the spouse of the student an
Ohio State University in 1906, values to the student and College. opportunity to share in the
eleven years after the founding of The professional fraternity not only veterinary education experience and
the veterinary school. A group of 22 encourages interaction between acquire a better perspective of the
committed and persistent veterinary veterinary students, but also among profession itself. By defining and
juniors and seniors saw the need for the students and the faculty, both at accomplishing these ten goals, the
fraternal comradeship and school and outside school at veterinary fraternity's aim is to
fraternity initiated and sponsored produce a versatile individual who
established the Alpha Chapter of
social functions. Through contact is better prepared for the veterinary
Alpha Psi in January of 1907. In
with fraternity alumni, current vocation.
April of the same year, Alpha Psi
The Speculum
8
While these functional objectives 1960 a larger house was needed due 7,000, The Speculum remains a joint
have remained constant over the to the continued expansion and student-College venture, with many
years for both fraternal popularity of the professional of its articles being written and
organizations, a few structural fraternity. The fifth location of edited by veterinary students.
alterations have surfaced with the Alpha Psi transpired when the
inevitable passage of time. One of alumni bought a house from an In recent years the percentage of
the most significant and influential OSU architectural engineer on East student involvement in professional
changes for the fraternities was the 17th Avenue. A decade later, the veterinary fraternities has
admittance of women into the Alpha Psi fraternity members opted decreased. During the 1960s, each
organizations, which didn't occur to break the typical fraternity veterinary class consisted of
until the 1970s. Alpha Psi led this tradition of housing and build what approximately 70 students, of
initiation, when in 1973, the all male is now known as the Clinic Village whom almost 40 pledged to a
fraternity began accepting Apartments on Kinnear Road. fraternity. Currently, only 20% of
contributions from capable female These rental apartments were veterinary students are fraternally
counterparts. Omega Tau Sigma originally built for fraternity active. In spite of the declining
allowed women to join its ranks members, with the lower level of the number of students involved in the
shortly thereafter in 1976. Typical building being intended for a fraternities, Alpha Psi and OTS have
of the time period, women did not meeting room for the Alpha steadily increased their community
easily infiltrate the previously male- Chapter. The current location of involvement. OTS organizes and
dominated fraternities and were Alpha Psi, leased from the implements the management of
met with resistance by their male University since 1979, is an historic various social activities. Biyearly,
companions. Today, women play a farmhouse located on Olentangy OTS sponsors a public dog wash.
very crucial and incredibly valued River Road. Each autumn, the proceeds of this
role in Alpha Psi and OTS, as highly successful event are shared
indicated by the current female Omega Tau Sigma's moving cycles by the Gamma Chapter (the OTS
presidents of the organizations. have not been quite so active. The alumni association) and Ohio K-9
Both fraternities are guided by third first OTS house on 14th Avenue was Search and Rescue team. The
year veterinary students: Alpha Psi purchased in 1947, via alumni spring dog wash benefits the
is led by Laura Fulks, while Carrie donations to the Chapter through a Columbus Area Humane Society.
Baumann is the president of OTS. building fund pledge. The OTS members and their pets also
fraternity's present location on brighten the lives of the elderly and
The locations of both fraternity Kenny Road was bought in 1972, disabled community by visiting
houses have changed throughout through the generosity of the OTS local nursing care homes each.
their histories. Since the early alumni, and is currently the only Additionally, there is a "Santa
1900s, Alpha Psi has moved no less house owned by a professional Paws" fund-raiser that is held each
than seven times. The fraternity's fraternity. holiday season by OTS. At this
event, in a gallant effort of holiday
initial meeting place was on Neil
cheer, as well as to benefit Canine
Avenue, on the OSU campus, near A very significant and integral part
Companions, one of the fraternity
the current location of Neil Hall. of Omega Tau Sigma's history was
members dons a Santa Claus
During the 1930s, the Alpha Psi its creation of The Speculum in the
costume and is photographed with
members rented two houses, the late 1930s. The journal originated as
various pets. Another
first being located on West 11th the fraternity's newsletter and
commendable OTS function is the
Avenue, the second situated one within nine years evolved into an
annual Colerain Elementary
street north on East 12th Avenue. essential and respected student
School/Columbus Zoo trip.
Both fraternity houses served as a periodical. In 1948, OTS contributed
Approximately fifty percent of the
meeting place and living quarters the publishing rights of The
Colerain students are physically
for its members. In 1942, the first Speculum to the College and the
and/or mentally disabled. The
official chapter house was document became an official
fraternity members visit the
purchased with donations from College of Veterinary Medicine
elementary school with an
alumni, at which point the fraternity publication. Currently printed
entourage of assorted animals and
relocated to Indianola Avenue. By biannually, and with a circulation of
Issue 2, 1995