Director of Marion Can Do, Gus Comstock was honored with the Ralph Howard Service Award Friday, April 19th, at 6:30 p.m. in Morrill Hall Auditorium during the campus's annual Academic Recognition Ceremony.
The Ralph Howard Service Award is presented each year by the Marion Campus Board to an individual or an organization that has contributed to the development of academic programs or the honors program and has made a significant impact on the quality of education at The Ohio State University at Marion.
According to Ohio State Marion Director of Development and Community Relations, Cathy Gerber, Comstock was nominated for the Ralph Howard Service Award because he is an outstanding Ohio State Marion ambassador in the Marion community.
“Gus recognizes the asset of Ohio State Marion in the Marion community and adds Ohio State Marion to the top of his list of meetings with new business leaders who are considering bringing their enterprises to Marion, Ohio,” said Gerber.
Gerber said, “He repeatedly connects community leaders with campus initiatives and programs to help further educate the Marion community about all the excellent programs and events happening on our campus.”
“Gus is a wonderful friend of Ohio State Marion, and we are grateful for this service and commitment to furthering educational opportunities and development in our community,” Gerber concluded.
Prior to taking his role with Marion CAN DO!, Comstock served as director of economic development for the city of Delaware in Ohio, Delaware County, Ohio, and the city of Chillicothe, Ohio. Comstock has a combined thirty years of experience managing city, county and non-profit economic development programs.
Comstock also knows a lot about the university that bestowed this honor upon him. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The Ohio State University and later a Master of Arts in International Development from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Prior to his multiple roles as an economic development director, he was a lieutenant in tactical intelligence for the U.S. Navy.
Comstock shared that his partnership with The Ohio State University continues today because of Ohio State’s presence and importance to economic development in the community.
“I was very honored to receive the award,” said Comstock. “As companies consider expanding or locating to Marion, Ohio State Marion is always available and accessible to showcase their high quality and leading-edge education programs, like the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology.”
“Companies want to know that educational programs for their current or future employees address their needs,” he added. “Ohio State Maron is an engaged community, business, and regional leader.”
“Actually, I should be giving Ohio State Marion an award for making Marion a competitive location,” said Comstock. “In fact, over half a billion dollars has been invested by Marion companies over the last ten years because of our education and workforce training programs.”
“The Ohio State University at Marion should be proud of its commitment to drawing top companies and employees to Marion,” he said.
Gerber went on to specifically emphasize that Comstock has helped connect local manufacturers with the campus in the development of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology degree program and ensured potential new businesses are aware of the higher education asset we have right here in the Marion community.
She added that he has been instrumental in helping to implement the Marion Microfarm project in the Marion community and has served on the Marion Microfarm Task Force team since its inception.