Senator John Glenn: Muskingum Alumnus, Trustee, and Distinguished Professor

Fifty years ago this Monday, February 20, Astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. As we prepare to celebrate this historic event, and to honor this American hero, we also want to share our pride in this distinguished and extraordinary alumnus.

U.S. Senator John Glenn's ties to Muskingum University have grown through the years despite a professional life that carried him far away from campus and literally around the earth. Senator Glenn's careers in the military, the space program, in business, and in politics have not diminished his involvement with his alma mater.

He is an active member of Muskingum's Board of Trustees, and his wife, Annie Castor Glenn ('42), is an emeritus trustee. The Muskingum University Alumni Council honored the Senator and Mrs. Glenn with Distinguished Service Awards, symbols of their outstanding service to Muskingum. They have been featured speakers at commencement exercises and have participated in alumni weekend panels, the dedication of buildings, the inauguration of our current president, Anne C. Steele, and numerous other events. Their interest in young people makes them frequent visitors to campus, where Senator Glenn has addressed students on matters of citizenship and on key political issues.

Muskingum University Milestones

Many of the milestones in Senator Glenn's life have been inextricably connected to Muskingum University:

• Muskingum was the site of a celebration on April 21, 1983, the day he launched his campaign for the Presidency of The United States. He also announced his first campaign for the U.S. Senate in Muskingum's John Glenn Gym, with hundreds of hometown friends and students in the crowd.
  
  
• On February 20, 1997, he announced his retirement from the U.S. Senate before a packed crowd in Brown Chapel, on Muskingum's campus.
  
  
• John and Annie Glenn served as honorary co-chairs for the Campaign for Muskingum, a fundraising initiative that reached its successful conclusion in 1997.
  
  
• John Glenn was named a Distinguished Alumni Professor in Public Affairs at Muskingum in 1998, the same year in which Annie was named a Distinguished Alumni Fellow in Speech Communication.
  
  
• Muskingum led the initiative to nominate Senator Glenn for the NCAA's highest award, the Theodore Roosevelt Award ("The Teddy"), which he received in 2008. This award honors former NCAA student-athletes in recognition of distinguished careers of national significance. Past recipients include U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Senator Glenn played both football and basketball at Muskingum in the early 1940's.
  
  
• John and Annie Glenn were honored by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges when they were inducted into the "Hall of Excellence," established as a way to honor alumni of Ohio independent colleges and universities whose lifetime achievement exemplify the traditions, ideals, strengths and values of private higher education.

John Glenn Friendship 7 Day

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's historic mission as the first American to orbit the earth, Governor John Kasich and the Ohio State Legislature have designated February 20 as the annual "John Glenn Friendship 7 Day". To help commemorate the first "John Glenn Friendship 7 Day," Muskingum University is collaborating with The John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.

A joint volunteer service project will bring Muskingum and OSU students and alumni together with members of the greater Columbus community, and Muskingum representatives will participate in a gala tribute dinner in Senator Glenn's honor. We are profoundly honored to claim John Glenn as a Muskingum alumnus, trustee, and distinguished alumni professor in public affairs, and we are proud to call him a "Muskie!"