Mark and Mary Ann Carangi: A legacy of learning, loyalty, and the future of AI

For Mark and Mary Ann Carangi, education has been more than a career. It has been a lifelong calling, a shared value, and now, a legacy that will empower generations of students at Ohio University.

Early paths and a serendipitous beginning at OHIO

After more than 37 years in their respective professions, Mark in electrical engineering and Mary Ann in home economics education, the Carangis are now retired, reflecting on their careers, and preparing young people for the world ahead.

For Mark, the road to Ohio University began with a moment of chance. As a first generation college student, the path to higher education wasn’t predetermined.

A family friend had graduated from OHIO and suggested it might be a good fit. Mark applied, was accepted and discovered not just an academic home but a formative life experience.

“I did indeed enjoy my time at OU,” he recalled.

Mary Ann attended Rutgers, and because the couple eventually settled in northern New Jersey, Rutgers remained a regular part of their lives. At the same time, Ohio University was always present too, through friendships across the years and football games attended. Over time, the couple stayed updated on OHIO and offered their steady support.

OHIO may have been geographically farther away, but remained close to the heart.

Planting a seed for the future: The birth of a scholarship

Their most recent act of philanthropy is the establishment of the Mark and Mary Ann Carangi Scholarship for Artificial Intelligence in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The scholarship stems from Mark’s enduring loyalty to Ohio University and his belief in its future. Mary Ann readily supported the vision, recognizing the power of creating a legacy that could shape student futures in perpetuity.

The choice to focus on artificial intelligence was intentional and forward looking.

“AI is the next great, perhaps greatest wave of technology,” Mark noted. Its impact on the world economy is only beginning to be understood, yet its presence is rapidly expanding into nearly every field. With OHIO’s respected STEM programs and R1 Carnegie classification, the Carangis see the University as well positioned to lead in this space.

Both come from careers centered around technology and education: Mark in high tech telecommunications and Mary Ann preparing high school students for real-world readiness. Supporting AI education felt like a natural extension of their shared experiences and passions.

A catalyst for innovation

Their hope for the scholarship is simple yet ambitious: they want it to be a start, a spark that ignites broader energy and investment across the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and beyond. They envision their endowment as a catalyst, encouraging others to invest in the growth and prominence of AI at OHIO.

“Offering not only in STEM but expanded to other areas such as art, as in STEAM,” Mark said. To the Carangis, innovation thrives at the intersection of disciplines, and Ohio University is poised to take that step.

Toward a center of excellence in AI

When Mark speaks about wanting OHIO to become a “center of excellence” in AI, he references a definition that resonates deeply: a specialized place that champions leadership, best practices, research and support.

To the Carangis, the Russ College embodies the possibility for such a center. The college already has a history of producing well-prepared, highly successful engineering graduates. Their endowment, they hope, marks the beginning of a much larger philanthropic movement.

Looking to the future

In five or 10 years, the Carangis dream of seeing Ohio University recognized as a leader in AI education and research, both through strong academic programs and the impact of its graduates. They imagine OHIO alumni at the forefront of technological transformation, shaping the next generation of the AI-driven economy.

For the students who will benefit from the scholarship, the Carangis hope it opens new doors to opportunity, innovation, leadership and meaningful contributions in STEAM fields across the world.

A legacy of philanthropy and partnership

To Mark and Mary Ann, philanthropy means creating something lasting, something that uplifts future generations and enriches both individual lives and society at large.

Their partnership, which is rooted in mutual respect, shared values and decades of dedication to their professions, shaped this gift and the vision behind it.

“Our hope,” they say, “is that this first AI-related endowment at Ohio University inspires others to establish their own. Together, we can reach a critical mass of support that places OU at the forefront of AI research and learning.”