[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. KRISTINA M. JOHNSON

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask my Senate colleagues to join 
me in honoring Dr. Kristina M. Johnson and celebrating her investiture 
as the 16th president of The Ohio State University. As an alum of the 
university and longtime friend of the Ohio State community, I know the 
investiture of a president is a significant milestone in the life of 
this land-grant university.
  Since The Ohio State University was founded in 1870, the institution 
has been guided by 16 presidents, each of whom has left a lasting mark 
on the history of the university. Since taking office as president on 
August 24, 2020, Dr. Johnson has already begun to make an impact at 
Ohio State. She has worked to be an inclusive leader and advance the 
university's mission to uplift lives through academic and research 
excellence.
  Dr. Johnson has close family ties to Ohio State and Ohio. Her 
grandfather graduated from Ohio State in 1896, played right guard on 
one of the early football teams, and was a member of the Tesla Club. 
Dr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served 
in numerous leadership roles at prestigious institutions for higher 
education, most recently as chancellor of the State University of New 
York. And she has been a public servant, serving as Under Secretary of 
Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Johnson is married to 
Veronica Meinhard, and it has been a pleasure to get to know them and 
discuss the work we can do together to support Ohio students.
  With Dr. Johnson's more than 30 years of experience and leadership, 
the future of Ohio State is indeed bright. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing and celebrating this momentous occasion for this 
university, which is so important to the central Ohio community and to 
our State. Connie and I wish Dr. Johnson, Veronica, and the entire 
Buckeye Community well as they embark on this journey together.

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