COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) inducted Denison University alumnus Thomas Hoaglin, class of 1971, into the foundation’s Hall of Excellence at its 2009 Evening of Excellence event on Tuesday (April 21) in Columbus. The Hall of Excellence honors OFIC-college alumni whose lifetime achievements exemplify the traditions, ideals, strengths and values of private higher education.

Earlier this year, Hoaglin retired from his position as president, chairman and chief executive officer of Huntington Bancshares Inc. and Huntington National Bank, which he joined in 2001. Bringing 30 years of banking experience to Huntington, he had previously served at AmSouth Bancorporation and, more recently, Bank One Corporation.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in economics at Denison, Hoaglin earned a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University. He is chairman of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and chairman of OhioHealth. He is also on the boards of The Columbus Partnership and CompeteColumbus. Hoaglin is a director of American Electric Power, The Gorman-Rupp Company and The Jeffrey Company. He is a past chairman of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its board.

Hoaglin has been a loyal supporter of his alma mater and has been a Denison University trustee since 1993, and later this year, he will be installed as chair of Denison’s Board of Trustees. In addition, he served as co-chair of the college’s recently concluded Higher Ground fundraising campaign, which far surpassed its $160 million goal with a record attainment of more than $177.7 million. Hoaglin also has been a President’s Associate volunteer for the college and a Denison career adviser, and he is a member of the college’s Varsity D-Association.

Denison President Dale Knobel notes, “Among Denison’s 30,000 alumni, no one has been tapped by the college for leadership more often than Tom Hoaglin. Almost from the day he graduated, Tom has sought to serve Denison and shape new opportunities for students who have followed him to. His is a life that demonstrates that leadership can cut across profession, community and college alike.”

With his induction into the OFIC Hall of Excellence, Hoaglin will join seven other Denison alumni previously selected since its establishment in 1987: actor Hal Holbrook ’48, Senator Richard G. Lugar ’54, banking executive William McConnell ’55, educational consultant Thekla Reese Shackelford ’56, investment manager James D. Oelschlager ’64, banking executive David Daberko ’67 and racing team owner Bobby Rahal ’75.

Since 1950, The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges has partnered with Ohio businesses, foundations and other donors to assist students with financial need to obtain a college education. The financial support provided allows choices and access to independent higher education to students who otherwise could not consider college an option. OFIC also manages collaborative programs that enhance the educational experience for students attending its member institutions and assist the colleges and universities to contain costs. OFIC is governed by a board of trustees made up of corporate leaders and the presidents of its 34 member colleges.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

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