Bill and Susan Lhota
Ohio State’s Chi Epsilon (civil engineering honor society) (1963). Bill Lhota is top row, second from right.
This scholarship was established in April 2016 by the late William (Bill) Lhota and his wife, Susan (Sue), and is used to provide need-based scholarships to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering.
Bill ‘64 and Sue created this endowed scholarship because Bill credited his success to his engineering degree at Ohio State and wanted to pay it forward.
Bill Lhota ’64, Archie Griffin ’76, and Sue Lhota. Archie is the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy.
Bill had a long career as a top executive for the American Electric Power Company (AEP). He retired from AEP as President of AEP Energy Delivery after 37 years with the company. He later went on to become the President and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), holding this position for eight years. His leadership skills and commitment to the organization helped turn around the once-troubled agency. During his tenure at COTA, Bill worked to maintain an ongoing relationship between Ohio State and COTA, and he provided critical volunteer leadership to help the University transition its parking operations to CampusParc. The 50-year concession agreement that resulted included an upfront payment of $483 million to Ohio State, greatly enhancing the University’s finances.
In addition to his career achievements, Bill was a recipient of numerous awards at Ohio State including the Distinguished Service Award, the John B. Gerlach Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropy Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering.
Throughout the years, Bill and Sue have repeatedly and generously donated their time, talent, treasure and ideas to benefit Ohio State. Bill served 11 years on the Alumni Association Board, including two as chair. He was responsible for helping to recruit Archie Griffin to head up the Alumni Association. In 2012, the Bill and Susan Lhota Office of Alumni Career Management opened at the Longaberger Alumni House. The Lhotas have also been great supporters of Ohio State’s Ross Heart Hospital.
In 2017, Bill passed away at the age of 77. Sue continues their shared legacy of paying it forward at their beloved Ohio State.