Remembering Senator George V. Voinovich
July 15, 1936 - June 12, 2016
June-July 2016   
 
Ranked in the top 50 innovative public affairs schools in the U.S. by Best Value Schools, and recently elevated to the top 100 U.S. News and World Report Best Public Affairs Grad Schools, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs finds researched-based solutions to challenges facing communities, the economy and the environment.  By blending real-world problem solving and government, nonprofit sector and industry partnerships with education, students are offered unique learning opportunities as they prepare for careers serving the public interest in Ohio University's rural region and beyond.
Governor John Kasich ordered flags at half-staff from June 13-17
 in honor of
Senator Voinovich.
 
Tributes appeared in bus stations in Washington, D.C. and on billboards along highways in Columbus and Cleveland.
 


   Impact & Innovation is written and created by undergraduate research scholar M.C. Tilton.
Like us on Facebook
  
Follow us on Twitter
  
View our videos on YouTube
  
View our photos on flickr
  
FROM THE DEAN

Dear Voinovich School Students, Alumni, Partners and Friends:
 
The faculty and staff of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs share in the sadness of the news of Senator Voinovich's passing. The Senator was a remarkable public servant who used his significant intellect, experience and compassion for humanity to represent our great state. His passion for his community and state were only surpassed by his commitment and love for his family. 

Senator Voinovich's legacy will continue through the accomplishments of the Voinovich School, and we will act as stewards to preserve and honor his memory and place in history through his papers at his alma mater. 
 
Ohio University has written a tribute article regarding Senator Voinovich's life and service.    As he has touched the lives of so many, the University has also dedicated a tribute page for others to share their remarks and memories.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet Voinovich and the Voinovich family as we mourn this tremendous loss.
 ver
How did Senator Voinovich leave a living legacy to you? We're sharing stories of the Senator's impact on the lives of his colleagues, students and friends on our Twitter and Facebook pages with the hashtag #LivingLegacy. Tweet to @VoinovichSchool or post on Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and we'll repost your stories across our outlets.  
 ver
FROM THE UNIVERSITY
 
Dedicated alumnus, U.S. Senator and former Governor George V. Voinovich has made a
remarkable impact upon the many lives that he touched at Ohio University. As our community mourns his passing, we also reflect upon the monumental legacy he leaves behind for
generations of future Ohioans.

Senator Voinovich, who retired from the Senate at the end
of his second, six-year term in 2010, dedicated over 47 years to public office in Ohio, 43 of them in elective office.
In addition to his time as a U.S. Senator, he served in public office as Mayor of Cleveland and Ohio Governor. He was honored to have served as both Chair of the National Governors Association and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and is the only person in American history to have done so.
 
A proud Ohio University alumnus, he began his time in public service as President of the Student Body and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government in 1958. He was honored as alumnus of the year in 2005.
 
In a statement to the Ohio community, President Roderick J. McDavis called the Senator "a great American, dearly beloved alumnus of Ohio University, and a stalwart public servant and political leader." McDavis continued, "His passion for his community and state, his commitment and love for his family, and his unwavering support for educating the next generations of public servants serve as examples for why we revere him and feel blessed to have benefitted from his knowledge, wisdom, care, and compassion. Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet Voinovich and the Voinovich family as we mourn the loss of this tremendous man whose legacy will touch many generations now and into the future."
 
 ver
 FROM THE U.S. SENATE

Senators Brown and Portman Pay Tribute to Senator Voinovich

On June 14, Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman paid tribute to Senator Voinovich by offering a resolution to honor his life. The resolution was followed by remarks from 
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

 
 ver
FROM THE NETWORK OF SCHOOLS OF PUBLIC POLICY, AFFAIRS, AND ADMINISTRATION (NASPAA) 
 
On June 17, the Deans of Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and College of Business joined a delegation led by President Roderick McDavis to the memorial service for Senator George V. Voinovich. The 90-minute event at Cleveland City Hall paid tribute to the former Cleveland Mayor, Ohio Governor and U.S. Senator who passed away a week earlier at the age of 79.

Speakers, which included Ohio Governor John Kasich and the Mayor of Cleveland, remembered Voinovich as a great person and tremendous public servant. Deemed the most successful politician in Ohio history during the service, he was a principled pragmatist who worked with others to find workable solutions for important public policy issues. A significant part of his platform for success was the creation of public-private partnerships beginning with his work with the business and nonprofit communities to bring Cleveland back from financial collapse.

In 1998, the Ohio University Board of Trustees renamed an existing Center after then Governor Voinovich, a 1958 graduate of Ohio University. In 2007, the Trustees created the first ever multidisciplinary School at Ohio University, the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. In 2011, following his retirement, the University named him Ohio Professor of Leadership and Public Affairs. He was also named a senior policy fellow at Cleveland State University.

Senator Voinovich always encouraged the Voinovich School to design and deliver practical solutions to wickedly difficult problems; expand higher education public-private partnerships; and, most importantly, educate, mentor and develop people from every sector and walk of life engaged in public service. He was a "policy and management wonk" with a deep appreciation for practical solutions and an intuitive understanding of the importance of team and team building. He had an amazing range of knowledge, experience and interests in economic and business development, health care, education, and the environment. He loved working, talking with and mentoring students. Senator Voinovich's visits with students over a 17 year period were always the highlight of his time at Ohio University.

Public service education was part of the Senator's calling. As he stated, "I believe the government's highest calling is to empower people and galvanize their energy and resources to help solve our problems, meet our challenges, and seize our opportunities." "My legacy?" Voinovich answered, rhetorically, in a November 2013 interview with the Columbus Dispatch was, "I want it to be that I've touched peoples' lives and I've made things better." His legacy lives on through the Voinovich School and Voinovich Archives at Ohio University. He often mentioned that the creation of the School was the greatest honor of his life.

The honor is ours, Senator.
 VERBATIM
His colleagues remember
 
"George was a true patriot who dedicated his life to serving the people of Ohio. His dedication is underscored by the fact that he holds the record for being elected to more public offices than any other Ohioan in history. George leaves behind a powerful legacy of service to his state and country that will not be soon forgotten."
-President Barack Obama, Cleveland Patch
 
"He was a unifier who thought outside the box, never gave up and worked hard for the ideas he believed in up until the very end of his life. Thanks to that leadership he saved Cleveland, governed Ohio compassionately and responsibly and was a candid voice for reason in the U.S. Senate." 

-Governor John Kasich,
Massillon Independent
 
"Democrat, Republican, independent, other - it didn't matter. That lack of party pretension was only one of Voinovich's qualities that made him a transcendent political figure in this town and state. And now that Voinovich is gone, let us remember him for these qualities -- of leadership, civility, humility, commitment to urban centers and political engagement."

-Cleveland Plain Dealer Editorial Board,
cleveland.com

"He was a servant leader before the term was created. He understood in his bones that working in good faith with others on his team, other teams, across the aisle and across communities was the only way to really win. Us versus them was never George's way. His principled pragmatism served him well, and it's at the root of Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs."

-Greg Browning, budget director and senior policy advisor, at the Voinovich memorial service
 
"It's the intangible things he accomplished that we will carry in our hearts. For a long time in Ohio, we will remember the certain things we take for granted now would not have been there without George Voinovich; without his leadership and persistence in doing what was right."

-Former Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson at the Voinovich memorial service
 
"George Voinovich was the most successful politician in Ohio history... (he) was probably the most decent and genuine human being I have ever known in nearly 47 years of dealing with local politicians. He was a man who never once lost sight of the most important thing in life -- his family."

-Brent Larkin,
Cleveland Plain Dealer


"George Voinovich, he became the father of Cleveland, the father of Ohio... What (he) was is now past, but who he is, is still with us today."

-Former chief of staff Curt Steiner, 
Columbus Dispatch

"George was a man of strong conviction, yet he was always willing to listen to the other side of an argument and put what he believed was best for our state and country ahead of partisan politics. George was a true public servant who loved the city of Cleveland and the people of Ohio, and his legacy will live on in the lasting contribution he made to our city and our state."

-
Senator Sherrod Brown, Ironton Tribune
More news articles

George Voinovich, 79; GOP senator's approach won over Democrats - Boston Globe (AP)

Ohio governor, senator hailed for dedication - Toledo Blade

Former Sen. George Voinovich Dies at 79 - Roll Call

Voinovich set aside politics in addressing area's needs - Youngstown Vindicator

Voinovich Remembered in SE Ohio for School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Fiscal Policies - WOUB News

George Voinovich forged timely and historic partnership with the city's business community - Cleveland Plain Dealer

Four things George Voinovich did for Cleveland - Cleveland Plain Dealer