A Tremendous Honor for Greg Bixler
We are thrilled to celebrate a tremendous honor for Design Outreach CEO and Co-founder. Greg Bixler, who has been named the Ohio State Alumni Medalist. This is the single highest honor bestowed by The Ohio State University Alumni Association.
The Alumni Medalist Award recognizes alumni who have achieved national or international distinction in their field or profession, brought extraordinary credit to Ohio State, and made significant contributions to the betterment of humankind.
For more than a decade, Greg has used his engineering expertise to help others and serve God, leading Design Outreach in developing practical technologies that improve lives and strengthen communities around the world. He has also shared that commitment with the next generation of humanitarian engineers. For the past decade, he has taught a course at The Ohio State University on appropriate technologies for developing countries, inspiring students to use engineering to improve lives around the world.
In his nomination letter on behalf of the Design Outreach Board of Directors, former Board Chair Dean Jessup highlighted Greg’s influence at Ohio State, noting that “Dr. Bixler has brought to the university awareness of the critical needs of millions within developing countries.”
Greg’s path to humanitarian engineering began with a church mission trip to Central Asia. Seeing people living in extreme poverty—and finding creative ways to build and survive with very little—prompted a question that would change the course of his life: If they can do this with so little, what can engineers do for the billions of people living in poverty?
That question ultimately led Greg to leave his corporate engineering career and co-found Design Outreach in 2013.
Joe Huber, founder and CEO of Huber Equity Group, is among those who have worked closely with Greg and seen his extraordinary dedication firsthand. In his nomination letter, Huber wrote that Greg “has dedicated his life to improving the living conditions of the world’s poorest communities.” He also wrote that Greg “exemplifies the very highest ideals of Ohio State: intellectual excellence, innovation, character, and a life committed to serving others.”
Joe also captured what makes Greg’s work distinctive: “His work is not theoretical. It is practical, scalable, and saving millions of lives across the globe.”
He went on to say, “Greg Bixler represents the very best of what an Ohio State alumnus can be: brilliant, courageous, selfless, and globally impactful. His work will echo for decades, perhaps centuries, in communities that would otherwise be forgotten.”
Congratulations, Greg! We are incredibly proud of you and grateful for the vision, leadership, and commitment you bring to Design Outreach and to the communities we serve.
