Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, received the John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ Excellence in Public Service Award at a reception in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, June 21, 2010. For more than 20 years, this award has been given annually to individuals with an outstanding tradition of service in the public interest.

Chairman Wheeler is a graduate of Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business and is the 31st Chairman of the FCC. As chairman of one of the world’s most powerful regulatory agencies he has taking steps to spur competition and innovation in telecommunications, cable and broadband service. He is also a champion of Ohio State students. Glenn College BA alum Regina Black served as an intern in his office when he was first appointed chairman and four OSU law students (one of whom is a dual degree student) currently serve in his office.

Wheeler was appointed to the FCC by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. He is the author of two books, “Take Command: Leadership Lessons of the Civil War “ (Doubleday, 2000) and “Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: The Untold Story of How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War” (HarperCollins, 2006). His commentaries on current events have been published in the Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Newsday.

Presidents Clinton and Bush each appointed him a Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he served for 12 years. He is also the former chairman and president of the Foundation for the National Archives, the non-profit organization dedicated to telling the American Story through its documents, and a former board member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Gabe Jackson wants to give back. Give back to the programs that helped his family in their time of need and give back to the communities that need those services. He has witnessed how nonprofit and government agencies can turn around a desperate situation and change lives. As a Public Affairs major at the Glenn College, Gabe will learn the skills he is looking for to engage with people in need and connect them with agencies that can provide help. Everyone has a passion. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make it their life’s work.

How could it happen that something that was supposed to help a person get well become harmful to them? This was the question Natalie Hagy asked herself after her grandfather experienced health complications from medication errors. Her grandfather’s experience has lead Natalie to pursue a double major in pharmaceutical science and public affairs. These degrees work together to open up career options where Natalie can help improve medication adherence and increase patient accessibility to better therapies. Everyone has a cause in which they believe. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who believe in it enough to make it their life’s work.

Despite being fully eligible to attend college, once Anastasia Martinez started classes at Ohio State she realized she was not prepared. While talking with fellow students that first semester, Martinez became aware of just how few college preparatory resources her Toledo high school had. Martinez wants to close the gap between college eligibility and college readiness and to be the advocate for students who are trying to succeed. Everyone has a cause they believe in. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who believe in it enough to make it their life’s work.

Born in the United States to a Guinean family, Mawa Konate has seen how in both the U.S. and Guinea, hunger can be the biggest obstacle hindering a child’s education. She also has seen the relationship between available food at school and the increase in attendance. Mawa hopes to return to Guinea someday and apply what she had learned at the Glenn College to help children everywhere gain an education and to have food security. Everyone has a cause in which they believe. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

Growing up in a family of educators, Meg Collyer heard the stories of the joys and problems of teaching from her aunts, uncle, sister and mother. Their work inspired in Meg the desire to help teachers get the resources they need to help their students. Studying policy analysis and economics at the Glenn College has shown Meg a way to work towards that goal. Everyone has a cause in which they believe. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

For Emily Saleme, the best way to change the criminal justice system is to keep people out of it. Emily has seen how conviction for even minor offenses can permanently affect a person for the rest of their life. Working towards a dual major in public affairs and criminology, Emily will have the tools to make a positive change in the justice system. Everyone has a cause in which they believe. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who believe in it enough to make it their life’s work.

Morgan Johnson attended a STEM high school and found the programs there especially valuable. Morgan wants to insure that STEM programing grows. As a Glenn College major, she is developing the necessary policy skills to ensure STEM education is available. Everyone has a cause in which they believe. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who believe in it enough to make it their life’s work.

Starting as a 16-year-old volunteer, Sam Runta has become a seasoned campaign organizer working for several candidates and causes. Sam wants to find the common ground between people and making change happen through those networks. The Glenn College is helping him understand the ways organizations work and how to make connections. Everyone believes in a better world. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

Attending school in two large cities made DaVonti' Haynes aware of the challenges that faced urban school districts and their students. As an undergraduate in the Glenn College’s Educational Policy track, DaVonti' has gained both real word and academic knowledge that will help him create educational opportunities for urban and rural students. Everyone believes in a better world. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

Growing up on a small farm in Ohio, Glenn College major Mikayla Bodey knows how hard it is for farmers to earn a living. That’s why she wants to use her degree to make sure policymakers understand how important the elimination of food deserts and financial sustainability are. Everyone believes in a better world. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

Gender equality in the workplace, women’s health care and justice for victims of sexual violence are just a few of the policy areas that drive Logan Phares. Logan and her Glenn College advisor created a specialty track that will help her become an advocate for women and children. Everyone believes in a better world. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.

Jeff Houssami’s father emigrated from Lebanon, graduated from The Ohio State University and has had a successful career. But his family's immigrant experience is still close to Jeff's heart. It allows him to see the world and the possibility of change in a different light. Improving inner city education to achieve criminal justice reform is one of his goals. To accomplish this, Jeff knows he will need leadership skills and the Glenn College is helping him develop into the leader he needs to be. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is for those who want to make change their life’s work.