On July 31, 2024, the community gathered for the rededication of Louella Hodges Reese Hall. This $27.6 million renovation saw the oldest building on the Newark campus transformed into a modern, welcoming facility emphasizing openness and natural light. With an increased focus on high-quality teaching, learning and co-curricular environments, Hodges Hall is an inviting location for study and engagement, offering a multitude of exciting future possibilities.
Hodges Hall originally opened as Founders Hall, the oldest and largest building on the shared campus. The fundraising campaign started in 1966 with a goal of $635,000. Over 7,000 contributors in Licking County raised over $1 million, and in 1968 the doors officially opened to Ohio State Newark students. COTC became a co-located partner in 1971, joining the building’s history early.
Leadership from Ohio State Newark, COTC, and Newark Campus Development Fund gather with Mrs. Reese, symbolizing the strong cost shared relationship of the Newark campus.
This renovation is a result of the generous spirit that’s been at the core of Ohio State Newark and COTC from the beginning. The building is being renamed after Louella H. Reese in grateful acknowledgment of one of the co-located schools’ most enduring supporters. Whether through scholarships, capital improvements or programming, Reese’s deep commitment to improving the campus and community has never wavered and is a model for all. In total, nearly $15.9 million was raised for this project through donors and our charitable community.
"Hodges Hall is simply spectacular,” said COTC President John M. Berry, PhD and Ohio State Newark dean and director William L. MacDonald, PhD.
“The renovation so dramatically changed the facility that in many ways it feels like a new building, but we haven't lost touch with its past. The history wall on the lower level pays homage not only to the many donors whose contributions helped construct the building, but also to the spirit of the building and its current and past occupants. We are excited that it is starting a new chapter as Hodges Hall, and we are grateful to the donors who made it possible."
This building hosts several lecture halls, as well as several school-specific and cost-shared resources, including Ohio State Newark academic advising and admissions, the Ohio State Newark dean/director and COTC president’s offices, business and finance, information technology services, human resources, the services center, the Newark Earthworks Center, and the Ohio State Newark psychology lab.
Renaming the Renovated Facility in Honor of Louella Hodges Reese
The power of education to improve lives has been a driving force behind much of J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese’s philanthropy. Together, the couple supported the construction of nearly every building on the Newark campus. They started the annual tradition of sponsoring the Independence Day concert and fireworks display, bringing together thousands from our community in patriotic celebration. The inspiration behind the Next Generation Challenge Campaign, which raised $21 million in scholarships for the Newark campus, was a $10 million challenge match issued by Mr. and Mrs. Reese. Mrs. Reese, herself, spearheaded the development of COTC’s Italian Immersion Program, which provides a fully-funded opportunity for COTC students and students from the town of Reggello, Italy to participate in a global exchange program, partaking in the life-changing experience of a foreign culture, language, cuisine, and customs.
Mrs. Reese’s expansive work has continued on after the 2018 passing of her husband. “I almost feel that I have an obligation to keep going, continuing what Gib started. He just always wanted to make Newark and Licking County better, and that’s what we are doing.”
Her commitment to public art is why the Newark campus is home to the largest single collection of Gary Lee Price sculptures in the world. Mrs. Reese’s life-long appreciation and passion for public art was sparked on a school fieldtrip to the Granville post office. “I can remember it so well because there were less than 900 people in the town when I was in the school, and our teacher took us on a walk to the new post office that had just been built,” she reminisced. “The mural was the biggest painting I had ever seen…It depicted the settlers coming to Granville and clearing the woods so that they could build their log cabins. I appreciated the fact that someone had put a mural in Granville. That was a special thing for our little town.”
That spark of inspiration has led Mrs. Reese to dedicate a lifetime to making our community the special place that it is. The renaming of Founders Hall in her honor allows for public acknowledgement and recognition of everything that Mrs. Reese has done for the Newark campus.
