Humanities Alumni Spotlight:

Charter Endowment Created for the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing

History alumna Susan J. Bonnell believes that writing skills are the key to success. "It doesn’t matter what profession you are in, having writing skills is so important," she says. Bonnell knows this to be true firsthand as she enjoyed successful and varied careers in publishing, real estate, and investment management. Her positions took her to California, Bejing, and Indiana where she served as vice president and regional director for the Lincoln Financial Group until her retirement in 2006.

During her years in California, she became an avid Giants fan, but still remained true to the Buckeyes. She is a season ticket holder and generous supporter of many of the university’s academic programs. After moving back home to Columbus this year, Bonnell had a strong desire to become even more involved with her alma mater. She met with the College’s Director of Development, Margo Wolanin, and learned that she shared a common interest with the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing’s (CSTW) Outreach Program which facilitates various literacy programs with schools, community groups, and other service organizations.

Bonnell was particularly impressed with the leadership of CSTW Director Beverly Moss and the Center’s programs designed for young children. In 2006 Bonnell created the Susan J. Bonnell Endowed Fund which supports the center’s Outreach Programs. Bonnell understands the importance of instilling a love of writing early in a child’s development, "If you can get them interested early on, they will always enjoy writing."

By the time she reached high school, Bonnell herself didn’t like to write, but recalls fondly a high school English teacher who continually gave writing assignments to his students (much to their dismay). "Now I’m so thankful that he did," says Bonnell. "He made my life so much easier by developing my ability to write, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to thank him later in life."

Bonnell also credits her parents for her professional success as an independent woman. One of six children, she says her parents raised her and her siblings to be resourceful and encouraged their individuality. They must have also influenced her love of the Buckeyes—her mother Betty is a graduate of Ohio State’s nursing program and her father George, the College of Medicine.