Interview of Mark Eakins by Kevlin C. Haire

Interview conducted at The Ohio State University Archives, Columbus, Ohio.Mark Eakins, the only member of his immediate family to attend college, commuted to The Ohio State University from his parents' home in North Linden beginning in 1975. Before college, Mark worked for two years at State Auto Insurance Company to gain experience and save up money. While at school, he continued working part-time at State Auto. He graduated from Ohio State in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a focus on Computer and Information Sciences. After college, he began working in the computer programming department of State Auto, and he stayed there for 41 years. While at school, Mark played intramural hockey and participated in a research lab for Psychology credit. Now, he ushers for Ohio State football games and through his lifetime membership with the Alumni Association, urges the university not to lose sight of its original goal-- to "educate the masses.