Bill Wahl came to Ohio State as an undergraduate three decades ago. And he never left – until now. Wahl is retiring after serving the university as a jack-of-all-trades, from tour guide to director of the OSU Parent Association.
“Bill’s enthusiasm for everything that is Ohio State is contagious. One has merely to spend 10 minutes talking to him and they will discover that Ohio State has a deep history that goes beyond the textbook classroom activities,” said Kate Blanchard, a Spring Quarter graduate and employee of the Parent Association.
Wahl himself refers to the alma mater “Carmen Ohio” when reflecting on his years at OSU, particularly the lyrics “how firm thy friendship.”
“There is a scarlet and gray thread that runs through all of our hearts,” Wahl said.
In celebration of his retirement and dedication to the university, Wahl, with silver baton in hand, led an impromptu Script Ohio on the Oval with two members of the marching band. “Carmen Ohio” rang from the bell tower in Orton Hall.
Wahl was also presented with a rocking chair embossed with the university seal.
“Before meeting Bill I knew I was a Buckeye and had a great affection for the traditions connected to the university. However, through teaching me about the history and past of OSU, I grew to hold a great deal of pride in my status as a student at Ohio State. He helped me see a connection between Ohio State and me that I hadn’t noticed before,” Blanchard said.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in education, Wahl worked in traffic control for the university during the 1970s. Afterward he continued to work in many capacities: special events, editor of a news digest under President Fawcett, United Way director for the university, community and visitor relations, university tours, director of the 300th commencement and Parent Association director. Wahl has also served as one of the 14 faculty and staff advisers for Ohio Staters, Inc., a service organization. Even in retirement he may help in fund-raising for student affairs.
Wahl took the position at the Parent Association in 1989 and sees the association as “right on the verge of huge success at Ohio State.” The group works to answer parents’ questions ranging from financial aid to student health insurance.
“The Parent Association has grown in a wide variety of ways through the understanding of the university that family members are an important part of student life at Ohio State,” Wahl said.
In 1991, the association had 250 member families and now there are more than 2,000, he said.
“Bill Wahl is the best storyteller you could ever meet,” said Jason Cervenec, a senior biology major. “He personifies Ohio State, not in a glamorous way but through small things that are important.”
It is through these stories that Wahl has built a reputation at the university. He is known for his knowledge on OSU history and is often called to provide information for different university functions.
“Bill Wahl engenders enduring regard for the university and believes in the land-grant mission [of Ohio State] and how much coming to the university benefits the boys and girls in Ohio,” said Eric Busch, assistant vice president for student affairs, at a retirement celebration for Wahl Thursday.
