Throughout his 25 years of service for the former Medical College of Ohio, President Dr. Frank McCullough made an effort to bring positive light, diversity and promise to the campus and its student body. Among his goals was establishing a scholarship to recruit top notch medical students and further enhance the school’s image.
Conceived through this goal, the annual Evening of Excellence has raised funds for a full presidential scholarship for UT medical students. The 6th annual event, held on May 22, 2008, honored the late Dr. McCullough’s vision of hope and promise to the student body.
This year’s event included opening comments from WTOL- TV News 11 anchor Jerry Anderson, UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs and special guest of honor Lawrence J. Burns, UT vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications.
The evening’s highlights included a live auction, where guests could bid upon items such as dessert wines of the world, a week in Mexico, and dinner with UT President Lloyd Jacobs.
The Evening of Excellence has grown into one of the signature fundraising events in the community, and I’m proud of the money it has raised to help us recruit the best medical students possible,” said Mr. Burns. “Dr. Frank McCullough was my friend and a mentor, so to be recognized, in part for raising money in his name, was a true honor and one I won’t forget anytime soon.”
With 200 people in attendance this year, the Evening of Excellence successfully reached the goal of $1 million, earning $150,300 for its final year.
Dr. McCullough’s son, Mike, said the success of the event “proves the importance of higher education in northwest Ohio.”
“Although it may be the last year for the Evening of Excellence, I am optimistic that the University will continue creative scholarship fundraisers to benefit students from both campuses,” he said.