Buckeye Stroll

In the late 1960s when space was becoming especially tight at Thompson Library – then known as the Main Library – a number of fixes were planned, such as finding library space elsewhere for specific disciplines. One plan proposed a health sciences library dedicated to medicine and dentistry, as well as graduate studies in microbiology, biochemistry and biophysics. The result: the Health Sciences Library, which was built in 1972 and opened on May 14, 1973. On September 1, 1988, the Board of Trustees resolved that the building should be named the “John A. Prior Health Sciences Library.”

Dr. Prior received both degrees from Ohio State: first his bachelor’s in 1935, then his MD in 1938. After graduation, he was awarded the Eli Alcorn Prize in Ophthalmology. He worked in Cincinnati for several years before returning to Ohio State in 1944 as an instructor. He became professor in 1952 and assistant dean of the College of Medicine in 1961, with the associate deanship following in 1963. In 1972 he asked to be released from his administrative duties to return to teaching. Upon his retirement in 1981 he was named Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Prior was recognized for his contributions through a number of awards. He received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award from the medical college in 1963. The following year, he was awarded the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 1981, he was given the University’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Prior was a gifted teacher, and he pushed for the establishment of a medical library at Ohio State. The University honored these contributions by naming the library he worked to found in his honor. Dr. Prior died in October 1992 at the age of 79.

more information:
John H. Herrick Archives: John A. Prior Health Sciences Library