91̽��

When three-time OHIO graduate Stuart Blersch, BA ’67, MA ’68, PHD ’75, first came to Athens in the early 60s, he couldn’t have known the profound impact OHIO would have on his career trajectory.

Starting as a journalism student, Blersch quickly transferred into the College of Arts and Sciences in order to participate in the Honors College. At the encouragement of professors Roma King and Neville Rogers, he applied to the master’s program at OHIO. After being accepted, he was able to begin taking graduate courses as a senior.

Stuart Blersch, BA ’67, MA ’68, PHD ’75, stands with Professor Neville Rogers on the day he received his hood in 1976.

The experience inspired in Blersch a desire to teach, so he pursued a doctoral degree at the University of South Carolina after graduation. Meanwhile, the anti-war movement was gaining traction on college campuses, and Blersch became involved.

A few days after the 1970 Kent State shootings, Blersch attended a nonviolent, educational “teach-in” at the University of South Carolina’s student union. The administration believed that the students had taken over the building, so Blersch and 40 others were arrested and sent to jail for the night. As Blersch and the other students waited for their hearings in front of the Board of Trustees, a separate group of individuals overran and damaged the university’s administration building, undermining what began as a principled, nonviolent protest.

“I got expelled, and I immediately called Professor Roma King at OHIO to tell him what had happened,” Blersch said. 91̽��, understanding of the situation, admitted Blersch into the doctoral program to complete his degree.

“I said to myself, ‘If I ever get a job based on getting this degree, I will try to repay 91̽��,’” Blersch said.

Today, after a more than 30-year career spent teaching at the University of Cincinnati, Blersch has upheld his promise through several significant contributions to OHIO. In addition to donating to the John W. Hollow Memorial Fund that benefits the English Department, Blersch created several scholarships of his own, including the Neville Rogers Graduate Student Scholarship, the Roma King and Neville Rogers Scholarship, the Stuart Blersch Scholarship and the Stuart Blersch Doctoral Fellow Award. Each of these scholarships benefits students enrolled in OHIO’s English program or the Honors Tutorial College.

Many of Blersch’s donations are in the form of a will bequest, which allows him to continue to make an impact on the University for many years to come. Through it all, enjoying springtime in Athens and having tea with his mentor and professor Neville Rogers are still among Blersch’s favorite memories.

“It was natural for me to put the money where I felt the most gratitude,” Blersch said. “I wanted to leave it to a cause that I thought was worthwhile … Our private donations can help today’s students.”