Three Ohio State faculty members are being recognized for their exceptional commitment to service and leadership across the university. Caroline T. Clark, professor of teaching and learning; Susan Cole, professor and chair, Department of Molecular Genetics; and John E. Davidson, professor of German languages and literatures, are recipients of the 2026 President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service. The honorees were recently notified of their awards during surprise visits from university leadership.
Caroline T. Clark
Professor
Department of Teaching and Learning
College of Education and Human Ecology
Caroline T. Clark has demonstrated sustained leadership in shared governance throughout her nearly three decades at Ohio State, where she has served as a faculty member since 1996. Three times elected as a university senator, she has served as chair of the Faculty Council, chair of the University Senate Steering Committee and chair of the Faculty Hearing Committee, providing steady leadership for faculty governance during periods of significant institutional change. Clark has contributed to major university policy initiatives, including faculty discipline procedures and free speech implementation, and recently served on the Office of Academic Affairs SB1 Workgroup on Syllabus Requirements and in a leadership role supporting university faculty review and governance processes.
Susan Cole
Professor and Chair
Department of Molecular Genetics
College of Arts and Sciences
Since joining Ohio State’s faculty in 2003, Susan Cole has contributed extensively to faculty governance and academic leadership. She has served in the University Senate since 2017, including multiple terms on the University Senate Steering Committee, and was elected chair of the Faculty Council during the COVID‑19 pandemic. In that role, Cole helped lead faculty deliberation and decision making on critical university initiatives, including alternative grading, General Education implementation, and major university policy revisions. Her university-level service has also included leadership roles related to research, admissions, and the evaluation of instruction, as well as service on multiple committees supporting shared governance across the institution.
John E. Davidson
Professor
Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
College of Arts and Sciences
As Ohio State’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) since 2015, John E. Davidson has served as a key link between academics and intercollegiate athletics. In this role, he advises university leadership and works to ensure academic integrity, policy compliance and student-athlete wellbeing. Davidson also represents Ohio State nationally through extensive service with the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA, including leadership roles focused on student-athlete academics. In addition to his FAR responsibilities, he has contributed broadly to academic governance and played a central role in establishing and leading the university’s interdisciplinary Film Studies program.
“Caroline Clark, Susan Cole and John Davidson exemplify the faculty leadership that sustains and strengthens our university,” said Ohio State Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda. “Through their commitment to shared governance, academic integrity and student success, these dedicated professors have helped shape policies and programs with lasting impact across Ohio State.”
Presented annually, the President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service recognizes faculty members for their contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through non-administrative roles while continuing to teach and pursue scholarship. The award annually recognizes up to three tenure-track, clinical or research faculty members who have been at Ohio State for at least five years.
The honorees will be formally recognized at the Faculty Awards Celebration on May 6.