Scripps Gerontology Center designated Ohio Center of Excellence

Miami University's Scripps Gerontology Center is the third Cultural and Societal Transformation Ohio Center of Excellence (CoE) statewide, announced Thursday, Jan. 20, by Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut during a special event at the Knolls of Oxford.

“By helping raise the standard of living for Ohio’s older citizens, Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center models how an academic program can focus understanding across an institution to make progress on a major societal concern,” Fingerhut said. “This designation recognizes contributions and calls on the university to continue growing the quality, reputation and strength of this important scholarship.”

Ohio’s Centers of Excellence, which are outlined in the 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, position state institutions as magnets for talent and leaders in innovation and entrepreneurial activity. This particular category, Cultural and Societal Transformation, recognizes programs studying factors directly impacting human condition and community welfare.

“As the older population dramatically increases, the research, education and services provided by Miami’s Scripps Center become increasingly important to society,” said Miami University President David Hodge. “We are proud at Miami University to be working to make a difference in the lives of older people, their families and their communities and in developing financially sustainable approaches to supporting an aging population.”

Established as the Scripps Foundation for Research in Population Problems in 1922, the center began in the 1960s to recognize aging as the most important population issue facing all societies. The Scripps Gerontology Center focuses on making a difference in the lives of aging individuals, families and their communities. Drawing on several different disciplines to accomplish its work, the center serves as a resource to Ohio’s policy makers and service providers, illustrating how to structure and target programs effectively.

“The designation means so much to us at Scripps and Miami University. Any recognition we receive honors not only our staff, students and supporters, but the great work and tradition of excellence established by all who have gone before us here at the center, including E.W. Scripps,” said Suzanne Kunkel, director of the Scripps Gerontology Center. “We will work hard every day to live up to this designation as a Center of Excellence.”

This is the university’s second recognized Center of Excellence, joining Miami’s Structural Biology and Metabonomics Center.

To learn about the other Ohio Centers of excellence, visit Centers of Excellence.