A note from our President

The Yale Club of Central Ohio was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1971 with purposes that included facilitating, initiating and participating in programs and projects aimed at developing and maintaining mutual understanding between Yale, its alumni and local residents of Central Ohio. Other goals were to encourage enrollment of qualified students to the university, promote public relations work on behalf of the university, and initiate and facilitate programs and projects aimed at maintaining continued cooperation with the university.

During its early years the Club hosted many educational and social gatherings that encouraged business and professional contact among alumni. Participants included prominent leaders in business, government and the professions (including, for example, two Ohio governors!). In the immediate past, the Covid – 19 pandemic led to limited interpersonal contact among our alumni for a period which decreased the number of our activities. Despite this limitation, the club, however, was able to support programs and venues to bring Yale into the Columbus area including a concert by the Whiffenpoofs at the Athletic Club of Columbus sponsored by former club president Charles Warner ’64. We have also held excellent receptions and networking events with alumni and YAA at the home of recent club president Molly Hughes ’03.

The geographic areas served by the club include all of central Ohio and southeastern Ohio. Interviewing applicants to Yale has been a club mission from the beginning. Board member Michael Fitzpatrick ’95 coordinates a robust interviewing program for Yale applicants and an annual welcome event for all alumni and incoming students.

Personally, I have the most meaningful memory of being interviewed many years ago at the upscale Jal Lai restaurant by wonderfully prominent Yale Club members. Following lunch there was no question that Yale was my very first choice of colleges. Meeting these incredibly accomplished alumni deeply impressed me, the hopeful Columbus North High student, for the rest of my life.

I am honored to serve as President of the Yale Club of Central Ohio and pledge to begin by first listening carefully to our alumni members and helping craft programs and activities that promote the best interests of Yale and our outstanding alumni.

Douglas A. Rund ’67, MD

August 2026