Joint Task Force Magnus, comprised of Ohio National Guard and U.S. Army personnel, held a ceremony today at CSU’s Wolstein Center honoring several CSU staff members for their hard work to ensure that the largest Covid-19 vaccination center in Ohio operated safely and efficiently.

From CSU’s Information Services & Technology department to food service staff feeding more than 650 military personnel and student volunteers daily for 12 weeks, to supplies, facilities and print operations — CSU employees held the line and made the mass vaccination clinic at the Wolstein Center a major success.

Beginning March 17, more than 260,000 Covid-19 vaccines were administered and nearly 127,000 people received both vaccines at the Wolstein Center.

“From start to finish, Covid vaccine operations went absolutely seamlessly, and that has everything to do with the amazing staff at CSU and Wolstein,” said Captain Daniel Lutz, Logistics Officer with the Ohio National Guard and military liaison to the Wolstein Center.

Ohio National Guard Brigadier General and Status Commander of Joint Task Force Magnus Rebecca O’Connor agreed, stating:  “This university, this campus and this staff were all perfect for this operation. It couldn’t have gone any better.”

The Director of Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency, Sima Merick, was also in attendance and presented a paper weight constructed of stone from the original Ohio Statehouse to Forrest Faison III, M.D., Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation and Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer at CSU.

“On behalf of Governor Mike DeWine, we present this bit of Ohio history to Dr. Faison and each staff member at CSU Wolstein Center for your concern, excellence and dedication in partnering with our military to make this vaccination site a true and historic achievement. You were all critical to the success of the vax program and have all made a tremendous difference in our community and in our state. You make Cleveland shine,” Merick said.

CSU staff members honored today are as follows:

Tanner Birch, Wolstein Center Operations Supervisor
Adam Chase, Mover Specialist
David Diggins, Lead EHS and EM Planning Officer
Brandon Dugan, Superintendent, Logistics
Forrest Faison III, MD, Senior Vice President & Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer
Rashad Gray, Mover Specialist
Patrick Hughes, Printing Coordinator
Gustave Kanakis, Manager, Arena Operations
Andy Konkle, General Manager, Dining
Joseph Paoletta, Catering Director
Sean Ries, Executive Director, Campus Services
Michelle Schilling, Manager, Arena and Conference Services Sales
Melanie Snodell, Event Services Manager
Anthony Traska, CSU Chief of Police