Ohio State honors Stanton and Shackelford with philanthropic awards

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Ohio State honors Stanton and Shackelford with philanthropic awards

Recipients support faculty, students and patients - both pets and people

With its top philanthropy and volunteerism awards, The Ohio State University recently celebrated two of the Buckeye community's most generous and committed supporters.

Frank Stanton was posthumously awarded the Everett D. Reese Medal, Ohio State's highest honor in recognition of exceptional service in private philanthropy. Lee Shackelford accepted the John B. Gerlach Sr. Development Volunteer Award, which rewards those who show the greatest dedication and personal investment in university fundraising efforts.

"Frank Stanton died in 2006, but his many accomplishments and his legacy of paying forward to help people and dogs have created stories worth telling for years to come," said President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. "Lee Shackelford is making an outsized impact on psychiatric care at Ohio State and as a mental health advocate. Through endowed chairs,both have empowered our faculty to inspire students and researchers, while giving hope to countless patients - both pets and people - and their families."

Stanton's master's and doctoral degrees in psychology from Ohio State, which he earned in 1932 and 1935, created a foundation for his future success. Recognizing this, he established the Harold E. Burtt Chair in Psychology to honor his adviser on his 100th birthday in 1990.

"In looking at Frank Stanton's most important achievements, they were all connected to his role at CBS. That he had a role at CBS is certainly a 'but for Ohio State' story, since he got his first job there by sending CBS his PhD dissertation," said Elisabeth Allison, co-director of the Stanton Foundation.

As president of CBS for 25 years, Stanton was a major innovator who developed more effective procedures for mass communication and audience research. His contributions included events such as the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.

The Stanton Foundation focuses on informed citizens, international and nuclear security, and canine health and welfare, areas where Stanton was unable to complete his charitable intentions during his lifetime. To advance these interests at Ohio State, the foundation made a gift to the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, funding programs that foster civil debate, including a public symposium hosting international experts to discuss the complexities of nuclear governance.

Stanton established the Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine at his alma mater in 2002. After his passing, the Stanton Foundation committed to achieving his goal of ensuring that quality veterinary care is available to all dog owners and supporting Ohio State's efforts to educate future veterinarians, starting with a transformational $39 million gift in 2016.

Over the years, the foundation's support has made possible a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic and professional skills center, student externships, additional faculty and staff, including the Frank Stanton Chair in General Practice and Canine Health and Wellness, and the innovative Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic.

A distinguished psychiatrist and community leader, Lee Shackelford rooted her career in both clinical practice and civic engagement. After completing her medical degree and residencies in adult and child psychiatry at Ohio State, she hasbeen a strong advocate for mental health initiatives and an active and influential volunteer with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.

Shackelford has consistently contributed to the department's Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) program, including as a member of the STAR Leadership Development Board. She works closely with the department chair, K. Luan Phan, and his Chair's Advancement Committee, and regularly participates in Wexner Medical Center strategic planning and events. She has generously supported the STAR Professorship and established the Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, held by Nina Kraguljac.

"Central to the mission of lifting one's community is creating the conditions that offer wellness to all," Shackelford said. "It has been the joy of my life to be part of growing our psychiatry department, including supporting Dr. Kraguljac and her research. It's a logical outgrowth of my family's commitment to investing in people."

Her dedicated volunteer involvement at Ohio State includes serving on the Foundation Board since 2021, chairing the Donor Relations Committee since 2024, and serving on the Time and Change campaign work group from 2023-25.

"Lee's enthusiasm is infectious, and her passion for improving access to mental health care is second to none," said Michael C. Eicher, Ohio State's senior vice president for external affairs and president of The Ohio State University Foundation. "Frank and Lee make us all proud, and we are forever grateful for the many ways they continue to enrich lives."

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