Shortly after the first group of Biological Sciences alumni met two years ago, Schild, in typical "let's roll up our sleeves and do it" mode, quickly focused on the need to assist the College in recruiting top students. Then, he concentrated his considerable organizational talents and people skills on identifying the best way to go about this. When he learned about Admissions Office Calling Nights-one way Admissions tries to close the deal on those top high school seniors who have been admitted, but not yet paid their acceptance fees-Schild immediately saw the possibilities. Schild has long been an active member of Chicago's Ohio State Alumni Club and a strong voice in persuading Illinois high school grads to come to the "Land of the Buckeyes."

Initially, Admissions was a little hesitant. Their staff members and a cadre of highly-trained student ambassadors traditionally make these follow-up calls. And while faculty are frequently enlisted in this effort, no college or other alumni group had ever before taken part in a Calling Night. But when Schild strongly believes an idea can work, he is persistent; he persuaded Maryline Kulewicz, Director of the Admissions Office Visitor Center, to let the Bio Sci alums give it a try. Kulewicz gave Schild's committee an intensive training session, prepping them with all the information they were likely to need.

Schild's enthusiasm is so contagious that he had little trouble convincing others to join him on that extra mile. So it was, that on an early April evening in 1999, a group of dedicated Bio Sci alums drove to campus to the Admissions Office phone banks. This was not a short trip across the oval or across town for most. Schild flew in from Chicago, and Denley Schlegel and Bob Atwell drove from Coshocton and Mount Vernon, respectively, to join Columbus area alums Karen Jennings, Jennifer Brown-Tackett, Sue Stockard. Associate Dean Caroline Breitenberger and Alumni Coordinator Larry Rummell rounded out the group.

Paired with student ambassadors who know the ropes, Bio Sci alumni were turned loose to talk to the prospective students about careers and opportunities in the College of Biological Sciences.

The rest, as they say, is history-or rather, biology! Prospective students contacted by Biological Sciences alumni were so enthusiastic about the calls that a significant percentage are now students here. The alums making the calls left happy and ready to do it again-which they did-in December, 1999, April 2000, and December 2000.

Schild's committee has made a commitment to the Calling Night activity. Schild sums up what those participating feel, "It is a lot of fun and an energizing experience."

Recruiting good students to the place that "changed my life," has long been one of Schild's priorities. "It's important to realize that Ohio State is competing for the best high school students nationally, and alumni can help with recruiting to make this an even better school," he says. "It's a real way we can help the university-we all know good students. And everyone ends up feeling good about it. It's a win-win situation."

Knowing a unique opportunity when she sees it, Kulewicz is equally excited, "The appeal-the specialness-of this is that you have biological sciences alumni talking to students interested in this area, sharing their experiences and what they have done with their degrees in biological sciences."