Jeff Reed experienced a Bobcat epiphany as he peeked over the Ping Center’s second-floor balcony while he and a fellow Bobcat were working out.
“I [saw] a bunch of students from all different parts of the world playing volleyball,” said Reed, BSC ’06. “I thought, how cool, how unique and how special is this? That all of these people, from all different walks of life, are here because of one thing in common: Ohio University. It’s imprinted on my brain.”
That moment cemented his deep connection to Ohio University. Years later, Reed, senior communications strategist at Honda R&D Americas, paid homage to that moment, to OHIO, and to the legacy of alumni in his family when he with the help of his mother Deb, an honorary Bobcat, used the OHIO Match program to establish the Reed Family Scholarship for Excellence in Communications. The program, which ended June 30, provided $0.50 in matching funds for every dollar committed to eligible endowed scholarships. It created more than 203 new endowed scholarship accounts and has awarded more than $580,000 in scholarship funding during the past three fiscal years.
“I hope the students who receive this scholarship are able to continue excelling in their academics and fully experience all the joys of college life,” Reed said.
Reed’s passion for communications and the role it plays in informing the public was a passion he shared with his late great-uncle, Maj. James W. Reed, BSJ ’66, who died while serving as an F4 fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, and shares with his father, Jeff L. Reed, BSJ ’71.
“My father always spoke fondly of Ohio University and his time there,” Reed said. “Truth be told, I didn’t even do a college visit to Ohio University. I just knew I wanted to go there.”
Reed knows not everyone can support OHIO the way he did.
“For me, I was very fortunate to be in a position—a lot of which was made possible by Ohio University—to give back financially.”
But, he says, alumni can still support their alma mater and make a difference.
“Alumni should contribute in ways that are right and doable for them,” he says. “Everybody can give back in some way—donating financially, mentoring students, volunteering in their communities, or simply wearing OHIO green.”
Jon Slaybaugh says
I opened this issue and almost fell down. I sure would love to contact Jeff Reed, who wrote the “In Honor Of” article. His grand-uncle, Major James W. “Bill” Reed, was my freshman roommate in 1961, room 328 of Washington Hall. I stayed out for a year in 1962 and when I returned to OU in 1963, Bill and I again roomed together in private housing on East State Street. In August 1964 Bill was an usher in my wedding. I lost track of Bill after 1966.
Bill went through Air-force ROTC at OU. I knew Bill had become a fighter pilot and died in Vietnam. When I turned to page 41 of the spring 2019 Ohio Today, there was Jeff holding a picture of his great-uncle, and my roommate, Bill Reed, from so many years ago.
Please let me know how to contact Jeff Reed.
Jon Slaybaugh, BSEE ’67
Kelee Riesbeck says
Ohio Today received the following message from Jacquie Luthcke Bartlett, AB ‘92 via email. She gave us permission to post it here so alumni can learn of this incredible coincidence.
Whenever my new Ohio Today magazine arrives, I always sit down for a few minutes and take a look through it. This one made me stop in my tracks. When I was involved in ROTC, I sent away for one of the POW/MIA bracelets that were very popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The one I received was for Major James W. Reed, from Ohio. Back then, it was very difficult to find much information on people, so I just knew his name and state. I haven’t worn the bracelet in years, but I never forgot about it, or him. How it jarred my memory when I opened up the magazine and saw the story about Jeff Reed, and his great-Uncle, Major James W. Reed. How ironic it is that the name engraved on my bracelet was actually an OU alum as well!! Thanks for finally filling me in on who this “stranger” really was.