Congratulations to Geography alumni, Gary Sharpe (Geography, 1970), who received the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Service Award at the 2026 Alumni Awards celebration on April 17. Gary gave an emotional and heartfelt series of remarks, remembering in part our former colleague. S. Earl Brown, who taught here from 1957-1989, and with whom Gary was close. Gary ended his remarks by asking us all to do one nice thing every day.

Connie Sharpe (Nursing, 1969) was also in attendance and chimed in from the audience to remind everyone—to a round of applause and laughter—that she, too, is an Ohio State graduate!

Gary and Connie have been very generous to Geography. They fund meaningful experiential learning opportunities for our students through the Sharpe Field School. Several hundred students have been the beneficiaries of Gary and Connie’s generosity since the program began three years ago. These are defining opportunities for many of our students, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to undertake these activities.