Girl Power Celebrated on Cover of Ohio State Alumni Magazine!
What do Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) and The Ohio State University have in common? They are both near and dear to Tammy Wharton. Always a “go-getter,” Tammy uses leadership skills she honed on the National Champion OSU Synchronized Swimming Team to now spearhead GSOH. Her story is featured in the summer 2024 edition of Ohio State Alumni Magazine.
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If you’ve ever met our fearless leader, Tammy Wharton, you know that the only thing that rivals her love for Girl Scouts is her love for her alma mater, The Ohio State University.
That feeling is mutual, as the university is putting her—and GSOH—in the spotlight. This summer, Tammy is featured on the cover of Ohio State Alumni Magazine, along with three of our council’s rising stars.
In her time at Ohio State, Tammy achieved national recognition in synchronized swimming as a four-time NCAA National Champion and four-time All American. With strategy, vision, and true Buckeye determination, she has seamlessly transitioned the skills she developed as an elite collegiate athlete into the realm of non-profit leadership.
Tammy embodies the spirit of excellence and community service that define Ohio State alumni, as well as Girl Scouts. Throughout her distinguished career, not only has she made outstanding contributions to her field, but she is truly creating an impact that will be felt across Ohio’s Heartland for years to come.
Now, she is leading GSOH through what is perhaps its most exciting chapter. Tammy is the visionary force behind the transformational initiative that will inspire next-generation leaders, create opportunities to address the gender gap in STEM, create opportunities for girls and women, and make a positive impact on Ohio’s workforce.
The Ohio State Alumni Magazine feature highlights Tammy’s career, tracing back to her time on campus and beyond. “Tammy Hunt Wharton ’91 came to Ohio State to become a synchronized swimming champion. Today, as President and CEO of GSOH, she is a passionate champion for girls and the driving force behind the new STEM campus that will equip them to strengthen Ohio’s workforce,” the introduction says, referring to our Dream Big Transformational Initiative.
Mary Alice Casey, who just retired as editor of the magazine, said, “I couldn’t be more proud to have you and your Girl Scouts on the cover of my last Ohio State Alumni Magazine as editor, Tammy. Thanks for all you do for girls and their communities.”
As part of their deep dive, magazine team members covered GSOH events including State of the Girl, Tree Tappers Maple Syrup Festival, and Pollinator Palooza, as well as a hard hat tour on the Dream Big construction site.
“It’s especially meaningful to see the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Dream Big Transformational Initiative highlighted in such a prestigious way,” Tammy said. “As the article says, we truly are ‘amplifying girl power,’ and it’s exciting to see dreams becoming reality out at Camp Ken-Jockety.”
The article includes interviews with Dream Big honorary co-chairs Yvette McGee Brown (Partner, Jones Day) and Lou Von Thaer (CEO, Battelle), as well as board member Elizabeth Seely (Chief Administrative Officer, Hospital Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), and troop leader Cyndi White (Classic Mobile Dental Services).
Girl Scouts Chloe, Jasmine, and Vivienne joined Tammy on the cover. You may recognize these girls from their involvement in other council initiatives:
- Daisy Chloe learned to find her inner force by asking for adult construction tools at age 7. In 2023, she represented GSOH as “Chloe the Carpenter” at the Dispatch Home & Garden Show and has been featured on ABC6.
- Junior Jasmine is inspired by Tammy’s leadership and has already spoken before crowds on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and at our Dream Big groundbreaking ceremony. She’s also serving as the reporter on our GSOH “Building a Dream” YouTube series.
- Cadette Vivienne highlights how Girl Scouts helped provide confidence and guidance when she was going through tough times in elementary school. You can see her story in our Mental Health Month Awareness feature.
As we near the exciting grand opening of the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center at the Battelle Science & Innovation Campus at Camp Ken-Jockety this fall, we look forward to sharing more stories with you.
In the meantime, go Girl Scouts, and go Bucks!
