Ohio State Alumni Mike and Leslie Bumgarner were honored during the August 4th Graduation ceremony for their meritorious service to the University as the 2024 recipients of the Distinguished Service Award.
Mike, current President and CEO for United Producers, Inc., is a graduate of the Department of Animal Sciences ('79) and earned his MS degree from the University of Connecticut. Leslie, former President and CEO of Telhio Credit Union, is a '79 graduate in the Fisher College of Business, earning her degree in Business Administration.
Both Mike and Leslie have played an active role in supporting their community and the university through servant leadership. Among all of their efforts to give back, one of the most profound has been their involvement in the Inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show. This show has resulted in greater than $550,000 in proceeds benefitting the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. Telhio, along with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State Fair, and Ohio Cattleman’s Association have played an active role in the success of this event, and this involvement would not have occurred without the Bumgarners' dedication and support.
Mike and Leslie have also been significant in the development of the Livestock Evaluation Programs at both Ohio State ATI and in Columbus through their work with United Producers. This support has been integral in initiating the Ohio State ATI Livestock Judging Team experience.
Mike and Leslie have earned numerous accolades and achieved recognition at the local, state, and national level, with the most recent being Mike's recognition as the 2024 Animal Sciences Hall of Fame Inductee. Mike and Leslie continue to stay active and give back to various organizations, including Ohio 4-H, the Beta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at The Ohio State University, and the Ronald McDonald House of Charities.
As shared by the Ohio State Board of Trustees, "The Distinguished Service Award was established by the Board of Trustees in 1952 to recognize individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the university. Awards are not made on the basis of long, faithful, or loyal service alone, but rather for service that is truly distinguished. Recipients of this award have provided a broad spectrum of services to the university in both official and unofficial capacities."
Please join us in congratulating Mike and Leslie Bumgarner on this recognition.