The Ohio State University's dedication to strengthening civic life has just gotten a major financial boost—a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are earmarked for The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, with the goal of expanding curriculum development, faculty research, and student programming centered on America's core civic values and institutions. These endeavors aim to strengthen Ohio State's position as a leader in civic education.
Lee J. Strang, executive director of the Chase Center, expressed Ohio's leading role in confronting a decline in civic engagement. "This award is a recognition that Ohio is leading the way,” Strang remarked, according to OSU's news release. He further detailed the importance of the statewide civics consortium of which the Chase Center is a key participant, practicing models of civic education that could potentially be replicated throughout the nation.
The Chase Center, a product of the Ohio Legislature's 2023 initiative, connects five universities across the state to promote intellectual diversity, rigorous civic education, and the understanding of cultural traditions. The center has already begun offering courses this fall at Ohio State, aligning with its mission to produce engaged leaders and citizens.
Ravi Bellamkonda, executive vice president and provost at Ohio State, underscored the significance of the Department of Education’s support. "With this support, the Chase Center will be able to better serve our students and communities across the state in line with our land-grant mission,” Bellamkonda said, according to the OSU's news release. With the influx of grant funding, the center is also poised to launch new outreach and initiatives for K-12 students, their families, and educators statewide.
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