The Ohio State University at Marion will honor 2022 Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Heidi Ries during a formal ceremony Thursday, November 3rd, at 6 p.m. in Maynard Hall’s Guthery Community Room. President and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Molly Ranz-Calhoun will be the guest speaker for the evening’s event.
The Ohio State University at Marion Alumni Hall of Fame awards program honors outstanding alumni who have contributed significantly to their professions and/or communities. Previous inductees who will also be honored at the ceremony include Larry Kline (nominated posthumously), Gary Sims, Dr. Russell H. Tuttle, Dr. Andrew M. Vick, Dr. Deirdre Radosevich, and Roger George.
Ries shared that she had no doubt in her mind that attending Ohio State Marion her freshman year was critical preparation, academically and personally, to her long-term success. She also noted that Ohio State Marion Professor of Physics, Dr, Gordon Albrecht, was very influential in building her technical understanding and confidence in her abilities.
Ohio State Marion Dean & Director, Gregory S. Rose said, “Dr. Ries is a pioneer for women in business and education and an excellent role model for others to strive towards.”
“When she entered the workforce, she was often the only women at the table and overcame stereotypes and biases through her hard work, determination, professionalism, and excellent work ethic to achieve great heights in her impressive career,” added Ohio State Marion Director of Development & Community Relations, Cathy Gerber.
Dr. Ries got her college start at The Ohio State University at Marion, earning her Bachelor of Science in Physics from The Ohio State University in 1982 and a Master’s in Physics from Ohio State in 1984. In 1987, she earned her Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Heidi R. Ries joined the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1999 and currently serves as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer; she is also a Professor of Physics within the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. During her previous service as AFIT’s chief research officer, Dr. Ries implemented the establishment of research centers yielding over 800% increase in external funding and enhancing AFIT’s reputation in the areas of cyber, directed energy, navigation, nuclear detection and analysis, operational analysis, space, and technical intelligence. She also served AFIT as Interim Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Management in 2013.
AFIT Director and Chancellor, Dr. Todd Stewart said, “Dr. Heidi Ries was selected as the best-qualified candidate from a field of exceptionally qualified applicants identified through a national search.”
Dr. Ries previously served as Professor of Physics and Director of the Center for Materials Research at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA, where she enabled the school’s first master’s degree program in the sciences, attracted $3M/year in external funding, served as an Associate Director of the Applied Research Center at Jefferson Lab, and directed the National Science Foundation Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology project “Center for Photonic Materials Research.”
Dr. Ries volunteers as a member of the Martin University Board of Trustees, where she serves as the Chair, Academic and Student Affairs Committee. She serves as the Past Chair of the Engineering and Science Foundation of Dayton Board of Trustees and is a member of the Team Chair Corps of the Higher Learning Commission. She serves as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, and advisor for various university’s initiatives. She previously served as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Society for Engineering Education, Engineering Research Council Board of Directors, AFIT Liaison to the Ohio Aerospace Institute Board of Trustees, and a parent-coach for the Centerville City Schools Science Olympiad Team.
Dr. Ries was recognized by the Dayton Daily News as one of the region’s 2009 Ten Top Women, was the Air Force’s civilian winner of the 2011 Department of Defense Women's History Month Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Role Model Award, and received the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award.