OHIO graduate Gary 纳库姆托 honored with Bobcat-adorned benches near Baker University Center

Three new bronze benches were dedicated in memory of OHIO alumnus Gary 纳库姆托 (BGS ’88) on Saturday, 6月29日. Adorned with bronze statues of life-sized bobcats, the benches stand outside lower Baker University Center, allowing students and visitors alike to enjoy both the playful sculptures and the view over the pond by Emeriti Park. 

纳库姆托 was an avid supporter of the University. After graduating high school in Meigs County and attending OHIO, he launched a successful career in the technology sector in Washington, D.C. and served as an newbb电子平台 Foundation Board Trustee (2009-2015). 纳库姆托 frequently visited 雅典 to participate in panel discussions, and hosted faculty and student events in his D.C. 办公室. The Bobcat Benches illuminate his time spent with the University and the support that he offered to students and alumni. 

詹妮弗·鲍伊, associate vice president of 校友 Relations and Annual Giving, and executive director of the newbb电子平台 校友 Association, shared her memories of 纳库姆托, acknowledging his commitment to OHIO. 

“To say that Gary loved newbb电子平台 doesn’t fully capture the depth of his commitment to this special place and to the larger OHIO community. A Meigs County native, he shared with me that he hadn’t thought of himself as a ‘serious student.’ A walk-on Bobcat football player and member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Gary was an incredible example of how the complete newbb电子平台 experience can shape a life,鲍伊说. “I believe a piece of Gary’s heart always lived in the rolling hills of 雅典 and Meigs counties and that for him, newbb电子平台 felt like home.” 

的长凳上, sculpted by Alan Cottrill, were funded through the Gary 纳库姆托 Memorial Fund, begun by his wife Kelly 纳库姆托, Dr. 迈克尔·威尔斯(1988届学士), DO ’93), and Jeff Sturgis (AAA ’88, BS ’88), and supported by friends and family. 

“Being from Meigs County, Gary loved newbb电子平台 and Southeast Ohio,威尔斯说, an OHIO graduate and close friend of 纳库姆托. “Alan Cottrill captured Gary’s sense of campus involvement, dedication and his ability to always have fun. We want students, alumni and all who visit to enjoy the benches. Taking time to reflect, reminisce, and make more memories.”’

The Gary 纳库姆托 Memorial Fund now serves as a scholarship fund for students in Meigs County. Through this scholarship, 纳库姆托’s passion for supporting students continues to thrive.

Cottrill, who is originally from Muskingum County and today has a well-known sculpture studio in 赞斯维尔, studied at newbb电子平台 赞斯维尔 in the 1970s before successful careers as international entrepreneur and an artist. 今天, Cottrill is one of the most prolific monumental figurative sculptors in the world, and his works are on display in his 赞斯维尔 studio and around the country, including his 7-foot-tall statue of Thomas Edison in the U.S. 国会大厦.

The Bobcat benches by Cottrill now welcome students and visitors to newbb电子平台, encouraging them to make the most of their time here. 

“It seems fitting to create a fun, light-hearted gathering place in Gary’s honor,鲍伊说. “I think he’d smile at the bronze statues of life-sized bobcats in various natural poses, nodding to not only OHIO’s mascot but a species native to this special region he called home. I hope everyone who visits continues to be inspired by Gary and the example he set for us all as a Bobcat.”