Humanities Alumni Spotlight:

Lessons Well Learned

James "Jimmy" Short credits the early professional success he’s enjoyed with the formal education he received from Ohio State and the life education he received from his grandfather.

An Ohio native, Short was raised in Norwalk and graduated from Ohio State with a B.A. in History in 1996. His first job post-graduation was with a campus company, Inn Town Homes and Apartments. He then headed out to California to work for the telecom industry and later joined Transafari Corporate Relocation Corporation as vice president of sales. In 2003, he was hired by Dermacia, Inc., of Newport Beach, a major cosmetic and pharmaceutical company, to head their Client Services Division. And in 2005, he was promoted to senior vice president. Short's acute business acumen is apparent; in addition to his position of leadership with Dermacia, he has purchased one franchise, Postal Connections of America, and is currently working on purchasing a second.

Short lists his grandfather, Jesse Calvin Short, as a major influence in his life. "My grandfather was an inspiration to all, setting an example with his hard work, strong work ethic, and the morals he lived by and espoused everyday," he says. Although the senior Short's education was cut short in high school due to the Great Depression, he placed a high value on education. "He was a big supporter of higher education and always told me, 'don’t do what I have done . . . work with your mind, not only your hands and you'll grow to be a wiser person.' He was also an extremely hard worker, and although he took pride in his work in the coal mines and cotton mills, he wanted better for his sons and grandchildren," Short adds.

Aside from his professional life, Short has also found success in his personal life with his recent marriage to Heather Hagee. He is an avid Ohio State fan and supporter of the university. In addition to the generous financial support he has provided, Short will soon be leading student recruitment efforts in the Southern California area.