By Irina Perry
Advocates and survivors gathered at The Ohio State University for a public demonstration titled “Woody or Wexner?”, calling renewed attention to long-standing concerns surrounding accountability, institutional responsibility, and donor influence in the wake of the university’s sexual abuse scandal involving former team doctor Richard Strauss.
The protest took place outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, a facility that also bears the name of retail billionaire Les Wexner, one of Ohio State’s most prominent donors. Demonstrators questioned whether the continued presence of Wexner’s name on the building aligns with the university’s stated commitment to survivor support and transparency.
The rally centered on two core demands: continued recognition of the survivors harmed by Strauss and a reassessment of the university’s relationship with influential donors whose legacy has become controversial in the public eye. Protesters emphasized that accountability must extend beyond financial settlements to include ethical leadership and symbolic actions that reflect institutional values.
Richard Strauss, who served as an OSU physician for nearly two decades, abused hundreds of students during his tenure. While the university has acknowledged failures in oversight and paid settlements to survivors, advocates argue that deeper cultural and structural reckoning is still needed.
Participants at today’s protest held signs, shared survivor testimonies, and distributed informational materials to students and passersby. Organizers described the event as part of an ongoing effort to ensure that survivor voices remain central to conversations about justice, memory, and reform at Ohio State.
As OSU continues to navigate the legacy of the Strauss scandal, today’s demonstration underscored a broader national conversation: how institutions balance donor recognition with moral accountability—and whether symbolic changes can serve as meaningful steps toward healing and trust.
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