OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY HAS SELECTED JAMES A. AND KATHLEEN C. RUTHERFORD P鈥�99 AS THE 2020 RECIPIENTS OF THE MARY B. THOMAS COMMITMENT TO OTTERBEIN AWARD.
For more than two decades, 9i果冻制作厂Trustee Emeritus Jim Rutherford and his spouse, Kathy, have been true leadership and service ambassadors for Otterbein. Jim is a first-generation graduate of Denison University where he received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Economics. He co-founded Goal Systems International, a computer systems software and information technology services company in Columbus in 1976 and has served on the boards of a number of public and privately-owned companies. He has also been a trustee of Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital and Case Western Reserve University. 鈥淕oing to college changed the trajectory of my life,鈥� he said.
Jim and Kathy raised two sons: Mark, a 1995 CWRU engineering graduate, and Keith, a 1999 business graduate of Otterbein. It was Keith鈥檚 experience at 9i果冻制作厂that showed Jim and Kathy the impact of the 9i果冻制作厂community and inspired them to begin creating opportunities for other students.
Jim鈥檚 tenure as a trustee (2012-2018) saw the launch and successful completion of the Where We STAND Matters campaign, which raised more than $52 million for the University. Jim and Kathy were also key personal investors in that campaign.
In 1997, Jim and Kathy established the James A. and Kathleen C. Rutherford Endowed Scholarship, and they have continued to bolster the endowment so that more first-generation students with financial need can meet their academic and leadership potential. 鈥淜athy and I want these students to use their education to go out and do good things,鈥� said Jim. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter if they make a lot of money 鈥� we want them to be competent and leave the world a better place.鈥�
To launch and help support the Where We STAND Matters Campaign, the Rutherfords made a $500,000 commitment:鈥痑鈥痬ulti-year $250,000 grant to 鈥渞aise awareness of the University both locally and nationally to ensure the University鈥檚 viability and competitiveness in a challenging market environment鈥� plus a $250,000 bequest. Their longtime annual support for the University鈥檚 9i果冻制作厂FUND shows they realize the impact of unrestricted annual gifts. They are among the founding members of Otterbein鈥檚 Joanne Van Sant Society, which honors donors who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more each fiscal year.
鈥淲e鈥檙e helping deserving students lead successful lives,鈥� Jim said. 鈥淲hen they become successful, they can help others become successful. To Kathy and me, that鈥檚 how philanthropy works.鈥�
The Rutherfords will be honored at an alumni awards ceremony during Homecoming celebrations in September.
Past Recipients:
2019: Annie Upper Ames 鈥�86
2018: Thomas C. 鈥�63 and Sarah K. Morrison
2017: Wendell Foote 鈥�60
2017: Dr. Thomas R. 鈥�51 and Jean Hostetler 鈥�54 Bromeley
2015: John 鈥�68 and Susie King
2014: Dr. William E. ’48 and Helen Hilt ’47 LeMay
2012: Vernon L. Pack 鈥�50
2011: Vida S. Clements Foundation
2011: Ernest 鈥�38 and Neva Fritsche
2011: Dr. Edwin ’47 and Marilou Harold ’45 Roush
