Jan. 20, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio-During a halftime ceremony at the Ohio men's basketball game vs. Kent State, Ohio Athletics named its recently-announced Operational Endowment Campaign in honor of Dr. Vernon R. Alden.

The endowment fund raising initiative, which will focus on "securing the future of Ohio Athletics today", will be known as the "Vernon R. Alden Endowment for Intercollegiate Athletics."

To date, Ohio Athletics has raised $1.4 million in gifts toward its $2.5 million goal for this effort.  Dr. Alden's $600,000 challenge gift is the initiative's largest gift to date.

Since serving as president from 1962 to 1969, the 15th and youngest president of Ohio University, Dr. Alden has continued to serve the institution with the fervor of his earlier leadership.

If you would like to participate in the Vern Alden Challenge Gift or obtain more information, please contact Chris Delisio, Associate Athletics Director, at 740-593-1197 or delisio@ohio.edu.