Volunteers spend many days throughout the year welcoming visitors to the Supreme Court of Ohio. At the annual volunteer luncheon, it was their turn to receive the welcome. This month, the 18 Supreme Court volunteer docents who greet thousands of visitors each year to the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center enjoyed an afternoon that recognized their time and service.

The event opened with remarks from Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, who expressed the Court’s gratitude and the vital role volunteers play in civic education.

“The experience you give to more than 10,000 visitors a year is a personal experience, a one-on-one journey, through one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in,” Chief Justice Kennedy said. “You’re helping us educate citizens about their building and about what we do by the thousands.”

Supreme Court Administrative Director Robert W. Horner III added his gratitude.

“For the thousands of people that come to the building annually, you are the face of the Court. And we thank you for that,” Horner said.

In addition to Chief Justice Kennedy and Horner, Justices Jennifer Brunner and Megan E. Shanahan joined the event, showing their support and appreciation for the tour guides.

The volunteers also heard from Christopher Fields, director of the Court’s Judicial College, which offers continuing legal and professional education for judges, magistrates, and other court personnel.  The College is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Fields helped the docents better understand the work of the Court’s offices, the Ohio judicial branch, and their support to legal professionals.

Tim Kalgreen, civic education coordinator, shared a year-in-review and a preview of things to come in terms of education and outreach. With the help of the volunteer docents, the Court welcomed thousands of visitors in 2025 and is on pace to match – and possibly surpass – last year’s visitor numbers in 2026. Kalgreen also announced the Court’s transportation grant program was expanded and that more schools will be able to experience the Court first-hand. The docent group has also expanded to one of its largest cadres of volunteers, giving the Court more capacity to welcome its visitors.

As a token of appreciation, each volunteer received a copy of “The Pioneers” by David McCullough. The book centers on the early settlers in the Northwest Territory. The first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory was Marietta, Ohio, which is depicted in the largest painting in the Supreme Court’s Courtroom. The Courtroom also features paintings depicting all five states that made up the Northwest Territory, Ohio being the first.

Now it’s your chance to meet the knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers by taking a tour of the Supreme Court. The Moyer Judicial Center is open during normal business hours for both self-guided and guided tours. For more information about tours, email CourtTours@sc.ohio.gov or call 614-387-9223.