The fourth annual Re-Tie the Red Ribbon fundraiser presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center’s Ryan White Program will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, at the SeaGate Convention Centre in downtown Toledo.

Re-Tie the Red Ribbon supports UTMC’s Ann Wayson Locher Memorial Fund for HIV Care, which provides HIV care for adults and children in the Toledo area who have needs not covered by other agencies or programs in the community.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $50 each and include a variety of food stations and entertainment. The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m.

“The University of Toledo Medical Center has been the regional referral center for HIV care for more than 30 years and has served the needs of the growing populations of persons with HIV,” said Richard Meeker, manager of community engagement and development at the Ryan White Program. “Support of this event makes a difference to the women and men in our community who depend on the services of the Ryan White Program.”

Wayson Locher opened the first grant-funded free and anonymous HIV testing site in northwest Ohio in 1985 and was one of the key organizers for The University of Toledo’s Ryan White Program. The memorial fund was developed in her honor after her death in 2010.

UTMC’s Ryan White Program offers high-quality comprehensive HIV/AIDS care services. The program uses a multidisciplinary model that incorporates healthcare, mental health services and case management for those affected by HIV/AIDS in Lucas County and the surrounding counties in northwest Ohio.

Entertainment at this year’s Re-Tie the Red Ribbon event will be provided by the Toledo School for the Arts Alumni Band, The Overton Project, and jazz vocalists Ramona Collins and Trez Gregory.

The Ryan White Program is seeking sponsorships with opportunities that range from $250 to $5,000 and include VIP tickets and recognition at the event.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit The University of Toledo Alumni Association website.

The University of Toledo announced today the new soccer field on Main Campus will be named Paul Hotmer Field in honor of UToledo alumnus and donor Paul Hotmer.

With this new field, the women’s soccer team will play on the University’s Main Campus for the first time since 1996. From 1997 to 2018, the Rockets played their home matches at Scott Park.

Paul Hotmer Field will host its first match Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Rockets take on the Flames from the University of Illinois at Chicago. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. with a dedication ceremony to take place prior to kickoff.

Paul Hotmer Field is located inside of the outdoor track on Main Campus and features a state-of-the-art Field Turf playing surface. The facility will include spectator seating on the east side, energy efficient lighting, and a videoboard on the north end of the field.

“We are extremely grateful to Paul Hotmer for his generous gift to help us bring the Toledo women’s soccer team to Main Campus,” said UToledo Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. “Paul has been an avid supporter of Rocket athletics for many years, and his contributions to the department have had an exceptionally positive effect on the experience of our student-athletes.”

A native of Toledo, Hotmer is a two-time graduate of UToledo’s College of Engineering; he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1955 and a master’s degree in industrial engineering in 1961. Hotmer has made donations to the University and to the athletic department in the past, including the Chapman Basketball Complex Lobby, the Sullivan Athletics Complex in Savage Arena and the Hotmer Hydrotherapy Center in the Larimer Athletic Complex.

“When considering the soccer team’s relocation to the Main Campus, it stirred my emotions in wanting to be part of this project,” Hotmer said. “I was impressed by the professionalism of everyone I encountered during this journey. They worked hard and were very conscientious about the quality of their work. It is a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to be associated with this development. It will serve as a legacy for my family and me, and as an incredible boost for the soccer program, the athletics department and the University.”

The installation of the soccer field will assist in Toledo’s already proven home-field advantage, with the Rockets claiming a 132-77-14 home record during its 24-year history. The women’s soccer team has won five MAC Tournament titles, most recently in 2017.

“We are very appreciative and thankful for Mr. Hotmer to be able to provide us the chance to play on the Main Campus on one of the best fields in the region,” said Head Coach TJ Buchholz. “We loved our experience at Scott Park, but this move allows us to be more visible and continue to grow the support for our program. We’re very excited for the opportunity to compete on the Main Campus and can’t wait to begin playing there this fall.”

The Rockets are scheduled to host nine home matches this season, beginning with the home opener Aug. 29.

Tickets are $6 and $4 for 18 and younger; UToledo employees can purchase tickets at half price; and UToledo students are admitted free with ID. Go to utrockets.com or call 419.530.GOLD (4653).

The ninth annual From the Heart Celebrity Waiter Event will take place Monday, Aug. 19, at Loma Linda Restaurant, 10400 Airport Highway in Swanton.

The event supports the Mundt Cardiology Endowment Fund at The University of Toledo Medical Center. This fund, established in 2008 by the Mundt family, provides support for innovative programs in advanced cardiac care at the hospital.

Raffle tickets will be sold in advance of the event in UTMC’s Four Seasons Bistro from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, July 23;

• Wednesday, July 31;

• Thursday, Aug, 8; and

• Friday, Aug. 16.

Prizes will be drawn Monday, Aug. 19, and include:

• Use of the UToledo Department of Medicine suite (up to 20 guests) at a Rockets’ basketball game, a $1,200 value.

• A $300 Loma Linda Restaurant gift card.

• Three $100 Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant gift cards.

• Two tickets to a Rockets’ football game in the UTMC suite, a $300 value.

Contact jennifer.schaefer@utoledo.edu for more information about the From the Heart event.

A leadership team has been selected to advance The University of Toledo’s fundraising efforts as it prepares for its next campaign.

Cheryl Zwyer, senior associate vice president for development, will be joined by Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien and Deputy Athletic Director Dave Nottke to collaborate as co-directors of the campaign.

O’Brien and Nottke will continue in their leadership roles in Athletics while supporting the institution’s comprehensive campaign. A steering committee of dedicated supporters of UToledo also has been established to assist the effort.

“The addition of these longtime campus leaders with strong ties to our regional community will provide support to Cheryl as she continues to make strong advances in building relationships with donors and friends across the entire University, state, nation and globe for a successful comprehensive fundraising campaign,” UToledo President Sharon L. Gaber said.

Under Zwyer’s leadership, UToledo exceeded its annual fundraising goals for the 2018-19 academic year. That follows the largest gift in University history the previous year.

“Philanthropy is key to achieving our strategic goals,” Gaber said. “We look forward to building on our positive momentum as we ensure continued success for years to come.”

Under President Sharon L. Gaber’s leadership, The University of Toledo has met the graduation rate goal set in the strategic plan three years ahead of schedule.

The six-year graduation rate for undergraduate students has increased nearly 9 percent over the last three years to its highest level in school history, according to preliminary data available. The graduation rate has the potential to increase as additional students graduate following the summer session.

“We set an ambitious goal, and President Gaber accepted that challenge in her commitment to ensuring student success,” said Mary Ellen Pisanelli, chair of the UToledo Board of Trustees. “The University is stronger today because of her vision for our future and her sense of urgency and collaborative style getting everyone on board to accomplish it.”

The graduation rate was one of a number of successes praised by the Board of Trustees during the president’s annual review during the final board meeting of the fiscal year.

The trustees recognized Gaber for consecutive years of increased student retention rates and research awards during her tenure and two years of strong fundraising that exceeded goals.

Her leadership also was credited for the new brand, scheduled to launch July 1, that speaks confidently and boldly of UToledo with an emphasis on personal stories. It is part of Gaber’s focused effort to boost Rocket pride and the University’s national reputation, which has led to successfully recruiting the most academically prepared class of first-year students in school history.

“I am proud of the progress we have made together to advance The University of Toledo,” Gaber said. “It is an honor to lead this great team. We would not have been able to accomplish all that we have without the dedicated individuals who are so committed to our students.”

As part of the performance review, the board voted to give the president a performance incentive, to be paid with private funds, per her five-year contract approved in 2018.

A nationally respected higher education leader, Gaber is one of the longest serving presidents among Ohio’s public colleges. She recently was selected to chair the Inter-University Council of Ohio, which represents the state’s 14 public universities. She serves on the NCAA Strategic Plan Committee and represents the Mid-American Conference on the NCAA Division 1 Presidential Forum.

Gaber also is a member of the board of directors of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, which is a network of 37 public urban research universities working to drive transformational change throughout their institutions and the communities they serve in partnership with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

A small flock of enigmatic birds intently gaze across Centennial Mall. A wayward sea turtle suns itself near the southwest corner of Bowman-Oddy Laboratories. And a wave rolls between UToledo Medical Center and Mulford Library.

“Birdzels” by Mark Chatterley, “Turtle” by Jonathan Bowling and “Blue Wave” by Mike Sohikian are three of the 10 new works installed for The University of Toledo’s 14th annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.

“For me, ‘Birdzels’ were meant to be fun. They are a cross between anime, emojis and Angry Birds — with a little Snoop Dog mixed in,” Chatterley said and laughed. “They are made from high-fired clay with a crater glaze on the outside. I feel I am pushing the material to make it unrecognizable as clay.”

Bowling’s recycled reptile features a dredge scoop, railroad spikes, horseshoes and stove grates.

“Being able to make something from nothing is what I like to do,” Bowling said. “It’s economical, too.”

Thanks to the President’s Commission on Campus Design and Environment, new sculptures sprout up each spring.

“Big Blue X” by Brian Ferriby sits atop the hill west of University Hall, and Glenn Zweygardt’s stainless steel work titled “New Mexico Passage” shines on the west side of the Student Recreation Center.

Bernie Dominique’s geometric work “Four Square” can be found by the northeast side of Wolfe Hall, and Beau Bilenki’s engineering feat “Hole in One” is between Nitschke and Palmer halls.

A 250-pound fish flies near the University Parks Trail and Ottawa House with Michael Angelo Magnotta’s “Above the Waves.”

“My sculptures typically begin with a trip to the metal yard,” Magnotta said. “From the shapes and textures I rescue, a conversation takes place — a visual conversation — that results in my sculptures.”

Gregory Mendez’s forceful “Kometes” is located north of Ritter Planetarium, and Kenneth M. Thompson’s intricate “Laminated Stack, Triangle” sits on the east side of the Health and Human Services Building.

More than 180 artists submitted proposals to the Midwest Sculpture Initiative, and the President’s Commission on Campus Design and Environment reviewed the entries and selected pieces for this year’s exhibit.

Since the exhibition began, more than 130 sculptures have rotated through the display on UToledo campuses, and several have become part of the University’s collection courtesy of campus benefactors, colleges and departments.

Those wishing to make a gift to support the exhibition are encouraged to contact the UT Foundation at utfoundation@utoledo.edu or 419.530.7730.

A new scholarship made possible with a generous gift from Huntington Bank will power opportunity for The University of Toledo students to achieve their educational goals.

Sharon Speyer, president of Huntington’s Northwest Ohio Region and a member of the UToledo Board of Trustees, presented UToledo President Sharon L. Gaber with a $200,000 check May 20 to create the Huntington Bank Opportunity Scholarship.

The scholarship will be awarded over the next four years to degree-seeking undergraduate students based on financial need.

“Access to knowledge is something we should aspire for all of our children,” Speyer said. “Having said that, the cost of education can be a barrier for some. We wanted to create a program, with the University, to provide more opportunities to potential students to study and learn at this fine institution.”

“This investment by Huntington in our students will have a powerful impact on not only the individuals awarded the scholarship, but also on the community we both serve as these individuals graduate and become the future leaders in our region,” Gaber said. “I want to thank Huntington for our strong partnership and its ongoing support of UToledo.”

With the gift, Huntington has now given more than $2 million to UToledo since 1975 in support of academic, athletic and student affairs programming.

The first Huntington Bank Opportunity Scholarships worth a total of $50,000 were awarded to 40 students for the upcoming 2019-20 academic year.

Students are eligible for consideration if they demonstrate financial need after completing the Free Application for Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, and after completing Office of Student Financial Aid’s general scholarship application. Preference will be given to residents of Lucas County.

The University of Toledo and Huntington Bank will announce a new scholarship program to power opportunity for students to achieve their educational goals.

Huntington will present UToledo with a $200,000 check to create the Huntington Bank Opportunity Scholarship Monday, May 20, at 1 p.m. in Libbey Hall.

The scholarship will be awarded over the next four years to degree-seeking undergraduate students based on financial need.

The first scholarships worth a total of $50,000 were awarded to 40 students for the upcoming 2019-20 academic year.

With the gift, Huntington has given more than $2 million to UToledo since 1975 in support of academic, athletic and student affairs programming.

The University of Toledo is proud to announce that drivers now have a choice of two UToledo specialized designs when ordering their Ohio license plates — a UToledo logo plate and a Rocket icon plate.

Any Ohio resident with a valid driver’s license may order the UToledo collegiate plates for their vehicles by either stopping at any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles agency or visiting the Ohio BMV website. In addition to annual license registration fees, UToledo specialized plates cost $35, with $25 directly supporting UToledo student scholarships.

“We’re pleased to offer our alumni and other stakeholders an additional opportunity to show their Rocket pride wherever they go,” President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Our goal is to get hundreds of UToledo collegiate plates on the road over the next few months to help fund student scholarships and raise awareness of the University.”

“Along with wearing Rocket gear, flying a UToledo flag at home or contributing to the University through the Foundation, purchasing UToledo specialty plates is another great way our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and our athletics fans can promote UToledo,” Bonnie Murphy, associate vice president for auxiliaries, said.

“While the University logo plate has been available for several years, last fall we were able to quickly gather more than the 200 signatures required to petition the BMV to produce a newly designed Rocket plate, which we anticipate will be very popular among Rocket fans,” Murphy said.

UToledo plates may be purchased through the BMV at any time throughout the year, and also may be used for vanity plates. Once purchased, it takes approximately three weeks for Ohio collegiate plates to be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

For more details about UToledo specialty plates, including all associated costs and other frequently asked questions, visit the UToledo license plate website.

University of Toledo Head Football Coach Jason Candle and his staff will host a reception at the world-famous Inverness Club Wednesday, May 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Craft beer and wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be availble for fans and supporters of the Rockets at the Toledo golf club, 4601 Dorr St.

There will be a live auction; items will include a trip for two to the game at Colorado State, a complete game-day experience with the team for selected home games, and NFL packages and gifts.

Proceeds will benefit The University of Toledo Rocket Fuel Program.

Donation levels are $1,000 for a table (seating for 10 and event recognition), $200 for a couple, and $125 for an individual. A portion of the ticket is tax-deductible.

Register on the UToledo Alumni Association website, or contact Andrew Terwilliger at andrew.terwilliger@utoledo.edu or 614.580.9978.