In the sixty years since Ohio State began offering courses in Marion, only four people have headed the university’s Marion operations; C. Eugene Maynard, Dominic Dottavio, Gregory S. Rose, and Francis E. Hazard.
Dr. Francis E. Hazard, Ohio State Marion’s second Dean & Director passed away Monday, July 3, 2017 at the age of 88 leaving behind memories for those who knew him and a legacy of giving.
Dr. Hazard served as Ohio State Marion’s dean from 1980 through 1992. His leadership spanned a period of growth that included construction of the Alber Student Center, but faculty and staff remember him for more than bricks and mortar.
According to current Dean & Director, Dr. Greg Rose, Hazard gave back to the campus and its students long after his tenure here came to a close.
“He was very active in the Marion community during his time here,” said Rose. “He and his wife Virginia established a scholarship in their name intended to assist students with disabilities, and regularly attended our scholarship donor-recipient luncheons until just the last few years,” he added.
Associate Dean & Director, Dr. Bishun Pandey, who was hired by Hazard, remembers him as a mentor who appreciated excellence in teaching and research, and motivated him to get engaged in community service, especially in the Marion area.
“He was very family-oriented. He always asked about my children and their progress, and came to their high school graduation,” said Pandey. “He appreciated diversity and motivated me to become part of the Black Advisory Board on the Marion campus.”
“I remember him as a fatherly figure,” Pandey added.
“When I started here in December 1987 as a classified civil services employee,” said Marion Campus Head Librarian, Betsy Blankenship, “I learned that he and his wife Virginia usually invited the CCS staff to a luncheon (sometimes at their home) during the Christmas holiday and always gave each of us a glass ornament specially created each year for the Marion General Hospital Twig.”
“I was very new but they both graciously included me in that year’s luncheon and gave me one of the ornaments. I thought that was very thoughtful,” said Blankenship.
She also recalled Hazard participating in the staff flower fund each year. “He would always include a nice note thanking me for doing a good job with overseeing it,” she said. “I always appreciated that.”
Assistant Dean Leslie Beyer-Hermsen recalled Hazard as a strong communicator, explaining that each week he would gather the staff in the third floor Morrill Hall conference room to keep everyone informed and give everyone the opportunity to provide input.
Throughout his life Dr. Hazard had a dual career in the military and higher education. He had a long career in the Air Force Reserve and the Ohio Air National Guard. Concurrent with his military career, he devoted 45 years of professional service to the field of higher education. Prior to his time at Ohio State Marion, Dr. Hazard was the founding Dean of the Kent State University Tuscarawas campus in New Philadelphia, where he served for 18 years. He concluded his career as President of Urbana University for 10 years, retiring in 2001.