George E. Reid’s early days at Ohio University, including his successful career playing men’s basketball for OHIO 1985-89, “laid the foundation for his entire life,” says Karla Reid, BSJ ’93, of her husband, who died in 2015. “That’s why he was determined to give back in big and small ways wherever he was and with whomever he met.”
In July 1991, Reid was hired by the Ohio University Alumni Association to oversee major alumni initiatives. He is credited with transforming the Black Alumni Reunion into a signature event that welcomes thousands of Black Bobcats back to campus every three years.
“George understood that it’s the people in your life who can make an enormous difference, inspiring you to take on a new challenge, overcome adversity or make a different choice,” Karla says. “He wanted to be that person who made a difference in people’s lives, and he was."
His efforts on behalf of higher education continued at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he was named Fundraiser of the Year in 1998. From there, his career as a fundraiser supporting students, faculty and programs took him to American University, Syracuse University, and the University of Southern California, where he served as assistant vice president for campus initiatives.
“George and I met at Ohio U, and our love took root and blossomed in Athens …,” Karla remembers. “Everything he did was about our sons, Quinn and Devin—now 17 and 15, respectively. Every single day was about teaching our sons how to grow up to be confident, caring and intelligent Black men.”