AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 8, 2026
The Big Table Engages Ohio State Community
The Ohio State University Office of Student Life recently hosted The Big Table at Ohio Stadium, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members on September 29. The event aimed to foster open dialogue, promote kindness, and strengthen community bonds on campus and across the broader Columbus area.
An Annual Tradition Rooted in Community
The Big Table, first launched in 2016 by the Columbus Foundation, is an annual community conversation held citywide. These gatherings invite participants to share stories, discuss kindness initiatives, and explore ways to cultivate a sense of belonging throughout the community. Ohio State’s event aligns with this citywide movement, connecting attendees to a larger network of dialogues happening across Columbus on the same day.
Key Participants and Leadership
Lalita Kaligotla, Ohio State’s first lady, associate professor in the College of Nursing, and senior director for Leadership, Policy Engagement and Innovation, was among the attendees. Melissa Shivers, senior vice president of student life, and John Warner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, led the discussion. The event was centered on Ohio State’s Listen. Learn. Discuss. platform, emphasizing active listening and open conversation.
Interactive Conversations and Shared Experiences
Participants were divided into small groups, responding to questions posed by Shivers and Warner. Stories were shared about individuals who made a meaningful difference, personal experiences that brought joy, and impressions from fellow attendees. Tracy Stuck, assistant vice president of student life, encouraged attendees to meet new people and be genuinely curious, remarking, “Today there are over a hundred of these events happening around the city of Columbus. You are part of a movement that’s happening.”
Promoting Kindness and Hope
Shivers highlighted The Big Table as part of Ohio State's ongoing kindness initiative. She referenced a recent food packing event where the university community packed more than 325,000 bags of food for southern Ohio. Warner spoke about the importance of hope in healing, citing medical research connecting hope to improved outcomes for patients with heart disease or cancer. "There’s real science behind hope, integrating it into all that you do," Warner noted, referencing clinical trials demonstrating the positive impact of hope on long-term well-being.
Ongoing Initiatives and How to Participate
The Big Table reinforces Ohio State’s commitment to nurturing both community conversation and compassion on campus. For those interested in learning more or getting involved, the Listen. Learn. Discuss. website offers information on upcoming university events and opportunities for engagement.
Source: news.osu.edu.
