Hello fellow Buckeyes, 

Thank you again to everyone who has participated in Buckeyes in Your Backyard! This summer has flown by and I am so grateful for all of the alumni I've met! I've heard some great stories and have learned something new/been inspired by them too. 

I want to give a special shout-out to everyone who has made a gift to the Hamilton County Scholarship fund or the university. Learning and growth are two values of mine and I am immensely grateful that we have alumni who want to support the learning & growth of local Buckeyes. I know I wouldn't be who I am without Ohio State and on behalf of all students, I thank you for your support! 

At the beginning of this summer, I asked the question "What was your greatest take away from your time at Ohio State?" and I wanted to share my answer with you in reflection to a conversation that I had yesterday with Mike Kuzel. As I said in that first video, I never expected to have as much personal growth and to meet so many amazing people as I have at Ohio State. When I walked onto campus as a freshman, my actions and ambitions were driven by accomplishments because I wanted to prove to people that I was worth something and wanted acceptance & love. I didn't know it at the time, but I had a lot to learn about myself and world because my life had given me a skewed perception. But even at my worst as a musician or at my darkest moments, Ohio State gave me people who believed in me and saw the potential I had. They pushed me to find the resources to get better and continued to stand by me no matter how much I tried to push them away. These people helped me learn about myself while finding strength & courage. My healing journey is also where I started to cultivate a relationship with myself that also helped me learn about myself and others. I have specific goals in mind, but it's all now driven by the desire to help other people see & reach their own potential, make a small difference in the world, and to live in my personal truth. If it wasn't for the community I found at Ohio State,  I wouldn't have had a shift to living life with a perspective in mind verses accomplishments. 

As much as I want to move out of Ohio to see what the world has to offer, leaving Ohio State will be one of the hardest things I do up to this point. I loved every minute and couldn't be more grateful for my time at Ohio State. Ohio State was the foundation I needed to find myself, others, and the world. I want to thank you all for being a part of my time at Ohio State and for the lessons & inspiration you have given me over the past summer. I hope our paths cross again in the future and I am always available if you need anything! 

Thanks and go bucks, 

Ashley

Hello Buckeyes, 

I was at the doctor last week and the nurse was complaining about how her sons have changed their major multiple times. It is quite common these days to switch your major at least once and even change your field beyond your time at college. Every alumni that I met with this week changed their major at Ohio State or are in the midst of a career change. In all of their stories, this change happened naturally. The major/career change was a necessary step to pursue their true passion/interest, opportunities they always wanted, and long term goals. I think a major/career change helps a person develop their personal perspective, which allows a person to be a creative and innovative problem solver. 

I started at Ohio State as a music education and chemical engineer major. I dropped engineering early on because engineer was never going to give me the life I wanted. At the end of my second year, I had a crisis and spent the fall semester of my third year exploring psychology, social work, and higher education. But I ultimately ended up adding my performance degree and later adding the art entrepreneurship minor. One thing I appreciate about the world today is the opportunity to "create our own career". These build your own careers come from having a unique perspective that developed from a diverse background. By utilizing our personal perspective, we become creative problem solvers that find the cross-section between our passions, innovation, and addressing larger societal issues. 

As I've said before, supporting student scholarships is much more than providing financial assistance. Without having and taking advantage of the variety of opportunities at Ohio State, an individual may not be challenged enough to develop his/her own unique perspective. Supporting student scholarship is supporting a student's journey to discover his/her unique perspective, which leads to growth and innovation in our society. . 

Hello Buckeyes,

This was a common theme this week and a lot of alumni came to Ohio State because of its endless opportunities. The opportunities our alumni took advantage of were switching degree programs, getting involved, building a relationship with a faculty member, volunteering in a variety of contexts, working a variety of jobs/internships, trying something completely new, and creating their own opportunities.  It was in these risks that they learned more about themselves and took another step in creating their own paths. 

Although it sounds like I have a plan, I still feel unsure about what to do with my life. I was taught the goal of life was being successful to be happy; success came from being perfect, knowing all the answers, and large outcomes, whether it be impact or money. This belief reinforced instant gratification, comfort, black & white thinking, and being a follower. That belief was holding me back and Ohio State helped me realize that I have the power to create a fulfilling life. I discovered my personal truth, but also found the courage, trust, and patience to pursue it. 

Supporting student scholarships mean more than just giving a student the "Ohio State experience". It is about giving a student access to opportunities that aid in the discovery of courage, trust, and patience to pursue a fulfilling life. To all of those who have supported the university through this program or before, thank you!! You are truly are making a different in the world by investing in not only the institutional learning, but the self-learning and growth of people. 

Go bucks, 

Ashley

Hello fellow Buckeyes, 

The textbook "college experience" is attending lectures, reading expensive textbooks, and pulling all-nighters to do well enough on a few tests to earn a degree. My meetings reminded me that college is more about the learning that happens outside of the classroom and beyond. Our alumni accredit some of their best learning to their involvement, internships/jobs, and travels. 

My greatest growth has happened through being an oboe fellow at a summer music festival, playing in an orchestra for the first time, working as a Resident Adviser, serving as a student supervisor at OSU's Call Center, my weekly oboe studio classes and lessons, and my personal healing journey. In these spaces, the constant discomfort strengthened my personal self relationship. I developed resilience, empathy, altruism, trust, efficacy, vulnerability, introspection, and authenticity through these moments. This growth is far beyond what can be taught in a lecture hall through a Powerpoint or textbook. 

As a scholarship student, I can't even begin to express my gratitude to those who support student scholarships. For where I was at the beginning of my college career, I needed the growth that Ohio State's environment gave me to begin seeing and pursing my existing potential.  Without my scholarship, Ohio State would not have been an option and I know I wouldn't be who I am now. I hope you know that supporting student scholarships is really the opportunity to make a large impact on a student's life not only at Ohio State, but the rest of his/her life too. 

Go bucks,

Ashley 

Hello Buckeyes! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July! With this internship, I have the opportunity to raise funds for the Hamilton County Scholarship Fund given out by the Alumni Club of Greater Cincinnati. Scholarships help make college financially possibility, but they also represent the investment an institution has in an individual's potential. 

I graduated from a nice school district and lived in a nice suburb, but was raised by a single mother for a large majority of my life. A college education represented gaining power in my own life. College became my long term goal and its affordability was my biggest concern. I opened a savings account in third grade and saved all of my birthday, Christmas, and allowance money from that point on. I didn't save enough to put myself through college, but it was the principal of making sacrifices to see my dream become a reality. I received a music scholarship from Ohio State that helped make Ohio State affordable for me. I was so grateful, yet entirely shocked that I received a scholarship. As I debated which school to attend, I emailed my current professor to ask him point blank why he accepted & offered me a scholarship. He told me he saw a lot of potential in me and that he plus my work ethic could help me reach that potential. My scholarship represented not only my sacrifices paying off, but also Professor Sorton's belief and investment into my potential. As someone who didn't receive a lot of support on my ambitions, this was a game changer. Someone saw potential in me and I wanted to give myself the opportunity to explore that potential for myself. 

Sometimes in order to believe and invest in our own potential, we need the encouragement and investment of others first. Whenever you make a contribution to Ohio State, know that you are helping students cultivate their own self-efficacy and that's a very powerful thing! 

Go bucks,

Ashley

Hello Buckeyes! 

One reason I enjoy doing these updates is it gives me a chance to  synthesize all the conversations I've had, find a common thread, and relate it to my own Ohio State story/life. I hope my thoughts can spark a positive moment of reflection for you!

The alumni I met this week have a variety of interests and backgrounds, but what they wanted to do with their life changed at some point. Sometimes it was for money, other times a better fit job, or they finally found their passion. It's pretty common nowadays to switch majors or careers. Those changes happen as we begin to learn more about ourselves and become comfortable with living in our own truth. What I loved the most was to hear about the satification/happiness our alumni have from those changes. 

The owning of my own personal truth has been one of the most valuable things Ohio State has given me. I continue to be challenged and don't always follow through, but the growth I've seen in myself is unbelievable. I have never been so comfortable and happy with myself. Although it's not easy, music makes me happy and feel at peace. What I want out of life may change down the road, but as long as I'm passionate about it and following my own truth, then I'm doing the right thing for me. 

I hope you take a moment not to only think about your own passions, but ask someone else about their passions. The world needs people who are pursing their passions and supporting others in their pursuits. 

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! 

Go Bucks, 

Ashley 

Hello Buckeyes, 

It's been another full week of meetings, emails, and updates. It is always a great joy to talk to our alumni about Ohio State, but I also really love hearing about the lessons they've learned along the way. These lessons also always have a funny way of connecting back to Ohio State. Hearing these lessons sparked some self-reflection leading to some take aways. I want to share some of my take aways from this past week. 

1) Whatever you do in this life, follow your passions and leave a personal mark on the people & organizations you interact with. 

2) Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be open-minded. In these spaces, we become flexible while also learning about & growing into our own personal truths. 

3) A great leader is one who breaks down barriers by meeting people where they are at. 

4) Never underestimate the importance in a variety of skills and experience. 

5) It's okay not to have a life plan because we usually learn more about ourselves along the way and discover our true passions. Although you may not have a plan, it doesn't mean you can't have goals that you're living by. 

6) What the world is missing, regardless of the industry or where, is vulnerability. To create safe spaces, we need people who not only share their personal truths with others, but acknowledge their personal truths themselves. 

7) Educating and mentoring allow us the opportunity to change an environment for the better through positive interactions with others. 

Hope this post sparked a new thought or reminded you of something important to keep in mind! 

Go bucks, 

Ashley

Hello Buckeyes!

This has been my first full week of meeting! I have met with Laura, Matt, Mark, and Lache this past week; I will be meeting with Lori tomorrow morning. 

Although these alumni have various Ohio State stories, Ohio State helped these alumni discover a common passion of giving back and community engagement. Laura wants to create a scholarship for Ohio State students; Matt is on the board of Give Back Cincinnati, a group focused on service and building social connections; Mark has revamped litigation within Cincinnati; and Lache is starting a nonprofit to provide programming focused on etiquette, fitness & nutrition, and business/professional development to women with limited access to these opportunities. It is exciting to learn how these alumni have/are making a positive impact on their communities.

Ohio State helps us find our own community while teaching us the importance of giving back and engagement. My communities within Baker West and the School of Music encouraged and supported my growth. As an upperclassman, I wanted to support, encourage, and serve as a role model to younger students. For that reason, I returned to campus to serve as a Resident Advisor my fourth year and was a School of Music Student Mentor during my fifth year.

It is great to see how our alumni have fostered and continued to engage with their communities past their time at Ohio State. I truly believe that Ohio State helps to foster alumni with a passion for community; I can’t wait to the positive impacts our other alumni have made on their communities.

Thanks and go bucks!

Ashley

Hello fellow Buckeyes! 

I had the opportunity to return to campus this week to work at the 3rd Double Reed Camp! We invited high school oboists and bassoonists to participate in large & chamber ensembles, private lessons, reed making, masterclasses, and a final performance. It is such a joy to help someone make their first blank or the light bulb moment when someone does vibrato for the first time. Our students experienced tremendous growth in a few days and I loved watching their love for music grow.

Just as our students experienced, I have grown immensely during my time at Ohio State. My personally and musical growth is what has made not only the biggest impact on my time at Ohio State but in my life. When I think about who I was as a first year to who I am now, I could not have ever dreamt to be who I am now. Ohio State gave me tremendous people and experiences that allowed this growth to be possible.

What amazes me is that Ohio State creates a point of immense impact in the lives of all of our alumni, just in different ways. As I look at my alumni meetings in the coming weeks, I cannot wait to learn about the point of impact that Ohio State has had in each of their lives. Ohio State is a magical place and I hope that we can work together to give that opportunity to so many deserving local Buckeyes!

Go Bucks,

Ashley

Hello!

Throughout my second week, I have sent lots of emails while listening to a variety of music (finally listened to Dear Evan Hansen and am now working through Shostakovich symphonies). I wanted to share with you my interest in the Buckeyes In Your Backyard internship.

I am a music performance and education major with a minor in art entrepreneurship (Such a mouthful!). Some may be wondering, “How does this internship have anything to do with music?”.  This internship allows me to explore a passion of mine- vulnerability. I discovered vulnerability from reading Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly during my sophomore year. Vulnerability is showing up as we are and believing we are worthy of great things with no guarantee of anything. Musical performance and storytelling are great examples of such. Without embracing vulnerability, we lose the ability to cultivate connection, learning, and growth to yield impact.  

I am looking forward to embracing vulnerability and creating impact this summer through meeting and hearing the stories of our alumni. Thank you for your willingness to share your Ohio State experience with me and support during my internship experience! Hope you all have a great first week of June!

Go Bucks,

Ashley

P.S. If you're interested in learning more about Brene Brown & vulnerability, check out her TED Talk! 

We all bleed scarlet & gray, but each Buckeye story has its own unique twists & turns. I love personal storytelling and I can’t wait to hear each of your Buckeye stories this summer!