Accent Magazine, Spring 2025

magazine S

ING 2025

Business run by AU students

has taken the sports memorabilia world by storm 2024 HOMECOMING RECAP INSIDE www.ashland.edu | 2

SPRING FEATURES

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4 Jon Parrish Peede Inaugurated as Ashland University’s President 6 Dorm Dudes Much More Than a Fun Name

8 Recap: Homecoming 2024 10 Looking Back at 25 Years of Eagle Investment Group

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Accent Magazine is published for alumni, parents, friends and donors of Ashland University. Compiled by the Marketing & Communications Department of Ashland University.

Hugh Howard Managing Editor Media Relations | Social Media Manager

Jarred Opatz Contributing Writer Content Writer

Mike Ruhe Art Director Director of Graphic Design Services

Allison Waltz-Boebel Photography | EagleEye Photography Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at 419-289-5082 or alumni@ashland.edu.

Alumni interested in submitting articles can send information to pr@ashland.edu.

On the Cover The Dorm Dudes, pictured left-to-right, are Kaden Poorman, Richie Delaney, Shane Rue, Ellison Morel, Ty Mast, Zach Balo, Ryan Kern, Caleb Kepler, Grayson Hay and Joe Beck.

An entrepreneurial idea by Balo to help pay for college has gone from him selling sports items online from his dorm room a couple hours a day to a company that recorded $10 million in sales last year.

Ashland University admits students with disabilities and those of any sex, race, age, religion, color and national or ethnic origin.

HOMECOMING 2024 RECAP

DEPARTMENTS 13 Alumni Association 2025 Alumni Awards 14 Academic & Campus News 3 D aneé Pinckney, a 2019 M.Ed. alumna,

selected 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year

3 Ashland University awarded $2.4 million

grant from Lilly Endowment 3 A U history professor appearing on series of History’s Greatest Mysteries episodes 3 R ecently discovered Peace Pole now installed at center of AU main campus 3 H eidi (Bench ’02) Meyer a national winner of Shine a Light on Anti-Semitism Civic Courage Award 3 B ob and Jan Archer donate $1 million to Ashland Center for Nonviolence

3 M ental health advocate Sarah Watson

earns national Outstanding Peer Educator Award 3 N ew safety services director is an accomplished alumna and author

20 Athletic News 3 F our Eagles Named Academic All-Americans All Teams Finish with 3.0 GPAs

3 F all Sports Wrap-up 3 F ootball Makes History During 2024 Championship Season

22 Class Notes

General alumni information, marriages and anniversaries, births and in memoriams

M E S S A G E

F R O M

T H E

P R E S I D E N T

“Don’t take yourself too seriously!” This spring, I have been reminded of this life lesson over and over at campus events celebrating the achievements of our students and young alumni. At the ASHPY awards, for example, we honored student-athletes for their successes on the field and in the classroom, as well as for light-hearted triumphs such as Best Hair and Cutest Couple. At AU, there is a joyful spirit at work.

Ashland’s spirit takes on many forms. One is an entrepreneurial spirit that alumnus Zach Balo and Dorm Dudes are living out, having built a game-changing sports memorabilia business that has hit $10 million in sales in just its second full year. At the Burton D. Morgan Lecture, Zach joined AU parent and collectible expert Jim Grant to discuss how to balance personal drive and team building while managing a growing international business.

I have felt an undeniable espirit de corps meeting with faculty and staff at Founders Hall, chatting with students walking to classes, catching up with alumni over coffee at the new Lyceum. The spirit is in the air as fans proudly cheer on our championship athletic teams and in the peaceful quiet at the end of a hymn in the weekly chapel service at the Seminary. And, it is in the room as future physician assistants develop their skills at the state-of-the-art Simulation Center at the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Mansfield.

It is a spirit of freedom, a spirit of optimism, a spirit of faith, a spirit of inquiry and opportunity.

This spirit is lived out by our students in the classroom, labs, library and study spaces, by our faculty through their mentorship and scholarly research, by our staff in their tireless support and by our tens of thousands of alumni who are leading, serving and working in their communities every day.

Speaking of community, numerous COBE faculty members and hundreds of students over a quarter of a century have worked together to develop the Eagle Investment Group into one of the largest student-run investment portfolios in the country.

Our educational spirit can be seen in alumnae like Daneé Pinckney and Heidi (Bench ’02) Meyer who have won statewide and national recognition for the impact they are making in high school classrooms.

And, maybe the most important, a spirit of perseverance. Sarah Watson has turned a tragedy—her father’s suicide—into a life calling of mental health awareness. In January, she was recognized for her efforts with a national honor. She used this personal achievement as an opportunity to draw attention to serving others in their time of need.

We hope you are inspired by these stories about the undeniable Ashland spirit in this edition of Accent magazine.

Go Eagles!

Jon Parrish Peede President Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary

www.ashland.edu | 3

Jon Parrish Peede inaugurated as Ashland University’s president Jon Parrish Peede expressed an optimistic vision while pledging his commitment to Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary, when he was inaugurated as president during a joyous ceremony inside Jack and Deb Miller Chapel on Oct. 25.

Prior to Peede’s inaugural address, the formal occasion featured an impressive processional, an invocation and Scripture reading, performances by the AU Brass Ensemble and a series of greetings, led

by Jim Hess, chair of the AU Board of Trustees.

Hess cited Peede’s “love for higher education, passion for students and drive for excellence (being) evident since his first day on campus,” and “ Ashland University was founded in the Christian faith and has been

anticipates that AU’s best days are ahead with

sustained by it through many trials and tribulations… we must not

his stewardship.

walk away from our origin,” he explained. “And at the same time,

“We sincerely believe that God has equipped

for those of other faiths or no faith, our university has been and will

and called Jon to lead this university in this

continue to be, during my presidency, a place of welcome for all.”

season,” Hess said. “We are confident that under

— Jon Parrish Peede Ashland University President

Jon’s leadership, and with tremendous support from AU and the Ashland community, and the efforts from our amazing faculty and staff, we

will continue our tradition of excellence and move forward to an even brighter future.”

Peede, the 31st president of AU since its founding as Ashland College in 1878, struck a grateful, humble tone in his inaugural response to the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, Ashland community members and delegates from 22 colleges and universities in attendance.

After listing off a series of recent university accomplishments–two alumni competing in the Paris

4 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

Olympics, another named the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year,

been sustained by it through many trials and tribulations… we must

U.S. News college rankings, the women’s basketball team leading

not walk away from our origin,” he explained. “And at the same

the nation in GPA, faculty securing national grants, a record

time, for those of other faiths or no faith, our university has been

endowment–Peede suggested there is much work still to be done.

and will continue to be, during my presidency, a place of welcome

“We have celebrated much good news while also striving for higher

for all.”

goals. We know it will not be easy, nor should it. And, yet there is

Peede has been strengthened by many within the community.

something in the air on this campus that refuses to be anything

From a dining services worker welcoming “her children back” to

other than joyful. It is hope, and it has been here… since 1878.”

coaches developing scholar-athletes of character, he has witnessed

The themes of hope and tradition carried over to Peede’s

“kindness and ambition, grit and intelligence, community and

“Three Pledges” to the students, to the faculty and to the

faith,” inspiring him to close his inaugural address with a

Ashland community.

powerful statement.

To the students, Peede promised that Ashland will live out its slogan of “teaching how to think, not what to think.” Elaborating on that idea, he explained, “On this campus, you can hold fast to your core values and expand your viewpoint.”

Adding that communities must be “grounded in tolerance,” he stressed the importance of mutual respect among students. “There is nothing more clearly in the wheelhouse of the arts and sciences than uniting people of tolerance through the development of their minds.

“It is the manner in which you express your disagreement, how you gather evidence and frame your argument and advance your viewpoint with reason, that matter most. These life skills and habits of mind will serve you well,” he said.

To the faculty, Peede pledged steadfast support for academic

President Jon Parrish Peede and his wife, Rev. Nancy Hollomon-Peede, are all smiles following the official inauguration ceremony.

freedom, authentic engagement, and shared governance as they

“When I hear people who despair for the direction of the modern

look to cultivate the university’s educational mission. He noted the

university, I think how far they must be from our dedicated faculty

mission has changed very little in 146 years, and that tradition is

and talented students, how far they are from the labor in our library

something “to take pride in,” while also suggesting that it could be

and community in our classrooms, how far they are from our

“refined, expanded.”

alumni who heal the body and tend to the soul, how far they are

In addition to delivering a quality education, Peede firmly believes a mentor’s role includes developing a well-rounded student.

from the flowered edges of Ashland where knowledge blooms in every season,” he concluded.

Again, that aligns with Ashland’s long-held motto, “Accent on

The traditional ceremony also included messages of support

the Individual.”

from Joan Stanbrook Sustarsic ’78, president of the AU Alumni

Pointing to the examples of faculty members Chris Chartier, Ph.D., and Tim Hinkel, Ph.D., this combination of relationships and research leads to a more “vibrant and healthy and sustainable

Association; Aidan Nayak, president of the AU Student Senate; State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario); and Greg McBrayer, Ph.D., present of the AU Faculty Senate.

culture.” Chartier founded the award-winning Psychological

Sustarsic, representing more than 56,000 alumni from around

Science Accelerator, which is increasing data collection from across

the globe, centered her remarks on “preserving tradition but also

different populations and resulting in a better understanding

driving innovation and progress,” while Nayak said current students

of humans globally, while Hinkel openly discussed how the

are confident in Peede, who has already demonstrated a sincere

humanities enriched his teaching of accounting.

desire to “perfect the student experience at Ashland.”

“The sciences explain the makings of the world we live in. And the

Romanchuk told Peede he is “inheriting a world class university,”

humanities explain why we live at all,” said Peede.

and assured that “we are all here to help you move this great

To the Ashland community, Peede pledged his desire to uphold the university’s faith tradition having received and answered “a calling.”

He has been moved by many acts in his first few months here, acts that have validated his acceptance to lead the institution.

“Ashland University was founded in the Christian faith and has

university forward,” while McBrayer, a political science professor, focused on boldness. He said, “Let us pursue excellence boldly. We have a legacy of bold teachers. Today, we renew our commitment to boldness. As you accept this role, be bold.”

5 Hugh Howard Media Relations and Social Media Manager www.ashland.edu | 5

Dorm Dudes Much More Than a Fun Name There’s “The Kernal,” Ryan Kern,” and “Bubba,” Grayson Hay, as well as “Richie D,” Richie Delaney.

There is also “Sugar Shane,” Shane Rue; “Ty the Creator,” Ty Mast; and, of course, “Bossman,” Zach Balo.

Even the official name of their live-selling sports memorabilia business, Dorm Dudes, sounds like a fun nickname.

With most of the “Dorm Dudes” graduating this spring from Ashland University, is a new business name needed?

“I think we can continue with that name,” said Balo, who started the business from his AU dorm room about two years ago. “It’s a brand that’s recognizable.

“I would hate to change it,” added the senior accounting and finance double major. “I think people know, especially our regulars, that it started in college.”

This AU student-run business, which, in its first year, was streaming 18 to 20 hours a day to about 25,000 people daily, shipping about 500 packages a day and had sales of more than $3 million, keeps growing by leaps and bounds, now up to 40,000 viewers a day between all its accounts, shipping twice as many packages a day (around 1,000) and had sales of $10 million in the past year.

Not only did the Dorm Dudes add a larger building on campus over the summer to the one they were streaming in, they also bought a van to travel to special streaming events they do in Nashville, Tennessee, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where several celebrities have helped them with their live selling online (TikTok, Instagram, WhatNot and Fanatics Live).

Just this month, they moved to a bigger building in downtown Ashland.

While they have done several live-selling events in Nashville with nationally syndicated radio show host Bobby Bones, who became a big fan of their streaming, they have just recently added ones with sports celebrities in Florida

6 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

at the warehouse of The Real Autograph, the company that supplies

high school friend of Balo’s who moved to Ashland recently, has a

the Dorm Dudes with most of their merchandise and booked the

nickname, “DJ KP,” that just shortens his name and describes one of

sports celebrities.

his jobs as a disc jockey.

Of course, most of the celebrities they have worked with are better

Like Morel used to do, the Dorm Dudes have contract workers

known by nicknames.

beyond Ashland who live and sell from New York and Los Angeles;

They include “Shaq,” former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal;

Arizona and Georgia; as well as Cleveland, Canton and Bluffton in

“Cheetah,” Miami Dolphins speedy receiver Tyrek Hill; and

Ohio, to make the total workforce about 20.

“Ochocinco,” retired receiver Chad Johnson, who wore uniform No.

They also are starting to sell other products besides sports

85 when he played in the NFL, mostly for the Cincinnati Bengals

memorabilia, such as golf equipment (they used to stream for that

“OBJ,” O’Dell Beckham Jr., another NFL receiver, has done streams

in the old BW3 building AU owns across the street from where

with them, too, as well as two other former NFL players, Michael Vick and Frank Gore, who unfortunately for this story, aren’t better

they had streamed the sports memorabilia, another AU building that used to be a yoga studio). Outdoor items and tools are likely to

known by nicknames.

follow, Balo said.

While many of the “Dorm Dudes” are known by their nicknames

From Balo’s dorm room in a fraternity house, to a pair of previously

for being on screen, several others are more behind the scenes and

unused AU buildings to a much larger empty AU facility downtown,

aren’t as well known by the nicknames beyond the “Dorm Dudes.”

the Dorm Dudes keep moving to bigger and better locations.

Mast, who is rarely on screen, goes by “Ty the Creator” because he

What’s next?

does most of the social media content creation.

Like Mast, Ellison Morel, a 2022 AU graduate who recently moved back to Ashland to join the Dorm Dudes in person, prefers to stay off screen, mostly managing accounts and handling customer service.

He got to know the other “Dorm Dudes” because he lived in a fraternity house with several of them when he was at AU. When Morel sold for the Dorm Dudes in his hometown in Virginia after he graduated and then when he moved to South Carolina, he kind of had one for a short time.

“He did dye his hair one time and people were calling him ‘Slim Shady’,” Balo said about Morel, who said during on one of his streams that he would dye his hair if a certain number of items, which happened.

He kind of had another nickname when selling slowed down.

“If something isn’t selling for a moment, you have to say something, so I used to say the phrase, ‘Let me know’ all of the time, ‘if you want this spot, let me know, if you have any questions, let me know,’ so people called me ‘Mr. Let Me Know’ for a while,” Morel said. “That was the only nickname I got. It’s not quite as good as ‘The Kernel.’”

Or “Chicken Joe,” Joe Beck, who got his nickname from combining

The Dorm Dudes sell authentic sports memorabilia during live streams, which are manned 18 to 20 hours a day, on social media platforms, mostly TikTok.

“Some people may laugh at this, but our ending goal is to buy a big piece of land and section it off, and everyone builds on it,” Balo said with a big smile.

Wherever they end up next, Balo said he hopes it’s still in the Ashland area with the same core “Dorm Dudes” – nicknames and all.

his first name with a main character in a 2007 mockumentary

“It’s not about the money, which is great; it’s more about keeping us

animated film, “Surf’s Up.” Since he is in charge of shipping all

all together,” Balo said.

the products they sell to the buyers, maybe he should change it to

“The main reason I started this is my least favorite thing when I

“Shippin’ Joe.”

graduated high school was most of my friends went their separate

The newest “Dorm Dude” is Caleb Kepler whose nickname, “Kep,”

ways. I don’t want that to happen to our group here.”

is tied to his last name, was hired about a month ago, mostly to sell on screen.

Balo said he would like to hire other AU students in the future for jobs and internships.

5 Jarred Opatz Content Writer For a more in-depth look at the Dorm Dudes, click on the QR code.

The one “Dorm Dude” who didn’t attend AU, Kaden Poorman, a www.ashland.edu | 7

HOMECOMING 2024 RECAP Ashland University celebrated its 100th Homecoming football game with a decisive win and picture-perfect weather, as thousands of alumni, including a couple of Paris Olympians, families and friends gathered on campus Oct. 5, 2024, to cheer and reconnect.

The big day was more than just football, of course. It started with the annual 5K Fun Run, organized by the Department of Recreation and Wellness, and featured the Hall of Fame Induction, the first President’s Coffee presentation by AU President Jon Parrish Peede and everyone’s favorite: the Pizza Pizza Pizza Fan Fest.

Katie (Nageotte ’13) Moon, fresh off her silver medial performance in the pole vault at the Olympics, highlighted the new class of seven hall of famers, and Trevor Bassitt ’21, ’22 MBA, who competed in the 400 hurdles at the Olympic Games, was in attendance supporting the current Eagles.

As for the milestone football game, Ashland scored 20 points during the second quarter alone, including a pair of safeties, to cruise past Ohio Dominican 26-6. The unusual two safeties were as many as the Eagles had in the nine previous seasons combined.

The festive atmosphere carried over into the 5th Quarter Celebration at Upper Convo, where fans enjoyed complementary food and music while continuing to reminisce.

OCTOBER

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www.ashland.edu | 7

Looking Back at 25 Years of

Eagle Investment Group W

ith 2025 being the 25th year of Ashland University’s Eagle Investment Group (EIG), here are 25 things you should know about it:?

1 2 2 2 3 2

It is a two-semester class, not a club. Most of the students are business majors, particularly in finance.

The class is mostly seniors. That’s mainly because two prerequisites are needed: an introductory finance investment course and a portfolio management class.

Students invest real money. What started as a $250,000 fund from the university, doubled by 2008 with more donations from AU and dividends from investments, is now around $2 million to $2.2 million. It is part of the university’s $80 million endowment. EIG follows the investment policy developed by the students and adopted by AU’s Board of Trustees. “As dean, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Dan Fox, dean of AU’s College of Business and Economics.

“We want our students to have real accountability that will be similar to what they experience when they leave here.”

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Tom Harvey, a retired AU business professor and longtime banker before teaching, started EIG. Harvey said Lucille Ford, who had been involved with AU for many years, particularly COBE, asked him if his students would like to manage some money and she convinced the university’s Board of Trustees to start them off with the $250,000 seed amount. “It was really different in terms of other classes that were held around the university,” Harvey said. “It became a place where the students loved to come and talk about the market. I never put anything in the portfolio or took anything out of it. It was all the students’ work. The thing just took off by itself.” When he established it, Harvey said he never thought it would last for 25 years.

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Terry Rumker was another key EIG instructor. Because he worked at Fidelity Investments before teaching at AU, Rumker said Harvey asked him to help develop EIG and eventually taught the class for a few years. “When we first developed it, the idea was to have a unique experience for our students,” Rumker said. “When they walked out of AU, they wouldn’t question their skill sets. That was the goal for them: to manage money so they could hit the ground running when they graduated.”

10 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

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Jim Falter also taught EIG. Falter taught EIG for a few years, before Rumker and after Harvey, who taught the class for many years.

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Associate Professor of Finance Dennis Witherspoon, Ph.D., is the current EIG instructor. For the past six years, Witherspoon (known as Dr. Spoon by his students), has tried to run EIG more like a job than a class to help prepare the students for an investment workplace.

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The focus is on long-term portfolio investment to avoid risk.

“At some colleges, the focus is more stock picking; we’re more portfolio management,” Witherspoon said. “We take a longterm approach and all the students are involved to the same extent. Everyone has responsibility to get the job done.”

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Investments are in many sectors. Communications, energy

“ It was really different in terms

and technology are a few of the sectors the students invest in,

of other classes that were held

as well as health care, utilities and real estate.

around the university. It became a

2

10 There are many types of investments. Stocks, bonds, ETFs

place where the students loved to come and talk about the market. I

(exchange traded funds), treasury bills and CDs are a few of

never put anything in the portfolio

the types of investments the students have in the portfolio.

or took anything out of it. It was

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11 Witherspoon tries to improve EIG each year. “I keep trying to bring in added technology and added knowledge,” said Witherspoon, who asked for and received a full-wall white board, two projectors and dual monitors for each workstation

all the students’ work. The thing just took off by itself.

— Tom Harvey retired AU business professor and creator of EIG

when he started teaching EIG.

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Ticker outside the classroom added in 2018. It shows realtime prices of current EIG’s investments. Before 2018, a smaller ticker was inside the classroom at the front of the room near the ceiling.

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FactSet is the research database used. During Rumker’s time and at the start of Witherspoon’s tenure, they used Bloomberg terminals, and before that Morningstar, which were often purchased through fundraisers such as golf outings. That’s a far cry from …

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The first classes met in a regular Miller Hall classroom and much of the research was done at the library. “We would go to the library and use the Wall Street Journal to get stock prices, which wasn’t real-time prices,” said Jason Lieberman, a member of the first EIG class in 2000. “A project we did was learning how to get data from the internet. We used Yahoo Finance for a lot of data.” Lieberman later added, “It’s unbelievable to see how far (EIG) has come.” continued on next page www.ashland.edu | 11

“ When we first developed it, the idea was to have a unique experience for our students When they walked out of AU, they wouldn’t question their skill sets. That was the goal for them: to manage money so they could hit the ground running when they graduated.”

— Terry Rumker AU business and EIG professor

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EIG received a trading room in 2004. That was when the Dauch College of Business building was built. According to

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EIG students have shined in competitions over the years.

Some of the most recent were four students (Jacob Boerner,

a news release at that time, AU figured its trading room was

Jessica Kritschil, Jacob Koehler and Justin Stritmatter)

one of just about 25 in colleges and universities in the country.

earning second-place honors in the Quinnipiac Global

2

16 The trading room has a bell. Similar to the ringing of a bell on the New York Stock Exchange, the one in the corner of the trading room is rung when an investment sale or purchase is made.

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17 Enrollment has grown. The first class had just a handful of students, and now it usually has almost 20, which meant a second section of the course eventually had to be added. For the 2025 spring semester, the first section had eight students and the second nine.

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18 An annual spring trip to New York used to be part of EIG. “The students have a lot of fond memories of their trip to New York, visiting Wall Street and getting on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange,” Fox said. While Witherspoon doesn’t

Portfolio competition’s Undergraduate Value Division in 2021.

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The experience from EIG helps with job interviews. “I have been asked so many times in job interviews about the sectors I manage,” said current EIG student Emma Conway, who has a finance job lined up after graduation with JP Chase Morgan. “It’s something not a lot of students get to do.”

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It’s a favorite class for many students. “I knew about (EIG) in high school,” said senior finance major Brian Wolfe. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to come to Ashland: Eagle Investment Group.”

24 2

Some students have changed their major to be a part of EIG. “I did not start out having finance as a major, but when I

lead a trip to NYC, members in the two-year-old Finance

heard of EIG I immediately wanted to get involved,” David

Club, many who are EIG students, took a trip to The Big Apple

Grim said in a 2018 Collegian article when he was a senior.

in late January.

“I switched my major to finance from nursing during my

2

19 Performance measured quarterly. “We present our results to the Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee and all the students participate, presenting in their sector,” Witherspoon said. “I coach them through the process to make sure

sophomore year and immediately began doubling up on classes so that I would be eligible for the group.”

25 2

There have been a lot of success stories. Lieberman (a vice president/financial advisor and portfolio manager for Morgan

everything is accurate.” Students can’t make changes in their

Stanley Wealth Management in Florida) and Ness (managing

sector without approval from the rest of the class through a

partner for Waterstreet Financial in Sandusky, Ohio, and

presentation.

branch manager, Raymond James Financial Services) are two

2

20 University support key to EIG’s success. That is especially

of the many EIG success stories. “I’m so proud of its legacy,” Lieberman said.

true of the Investment Committee, which currently includes Ronald Alford, Richard Veres, James Smail and Dustin Ness, a 2004 AU grad who was in the second-ever EIG class.

“Whenever they reach out, I am willing to give them my time,” Ness said. “Even before I was a trustee, I would come to the (EIG) class and talk to the students and have a Q & A. I’ve done that dozens of times.”

12 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

5 Jarred Opatz Content Writer

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Award Winners

The Ashland University Alumni Association Awards Dinner took place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the John C. Myers Convocation Center. This annual event honored outstanding alumni and friends who exemplify the values and mission of Ashland University through their personal and professional achievements. Family and friends enjoyed a delightful dinner, reconnected with fellow Eagles and were inspired by the stories of our exceptional award recipients.

Christopher Triner ’91, ’01 M.Ed.

Jay Pappas ’72

Jon Qualls ’05

Rick Ewing

Professor Raymond W. Bixler Award

Special Achievement Award

Lorie Diehm Meister Honorary Alumna Award

Donald Jakeway ’70

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Richard D. Leidy Award

Dr. Glenn L. Clayton Award

Logan Rex ’18

Young Alumnus Award

Do you know a graduate or friend of the university who is deserving of an alumni award? Please complete a nomination form by visiting www. ashland.edu and clicking on the Alumni link.

www.ashland.edu||23 www.ashland.edu www.ashland.edu | 7 17

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

Daneé Pinckney, center, celebrates being selected as the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year at Twinsburg High School, where she teaches English language arts.

DANEÉ PINCKNEY, A 2019 M.ED. ALUMNA, SELECTED 2025 OHIO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Daneé Pinckney, an educator in the Twinsburg City School District who earned a master’s of education degree in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in 2019, was named the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the State Board of Education of Ohio.

“Daneé Pinckney represents the best of what every educator should aspire to be; dedicated and passionate with a perfect balance of high expectations for all students coupled with the will to provide whatever support those students need to be successful,” stated State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paul Craft. “I couldn’t be more excited, on behalf of the State Board of Education, to congratulate her on this incredible achievement.”

Pinckney is an 11th and 12th grade English language arts teacher at Twinsburg High School. She uses innovative approaches to connect with students and created a seniorlevel elective course, “Black Voices in Literature,” examining literary and artistic contributions of early African-Americans.

Her efforts have enriched educational experiences for all students and staff.

In a post announcing the award on Twinsburg City School’s website, it stated “Ms. Pinckney embodies the essence of an exceptional educator whose commitment to our students extends far beyond the classroom. With a deep-rooted passion for English and a dedication to cultural competence, she not only imparts extensive knowledge, but also fosters an environment where students thrive.”

Pinckney’s “Black Voices in Literature” class, which has been

14 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

highly praised by both students and community members, was influenced by her time in the Ashland graduate program.

“Since my graduation from Ashland’s M.Ed. program, I have applied numerous aspects of my learning to my current teaching practice,” Pinckney said. “Courses on diversity and fostering a global worldview have been instrumental in diversifying texts in our general English courses and have been even more so impactful in the creation of my course on Black literature.

“One specific assignment from (an Ashland) course … was a bias journal, and I continue to use that task as inspiration.

It became important for me to provide my students in our Black literature course with journals of their own to use for reflection and introspection. Through journaling, my students and I are all able to grow in our knowledge of self and the world,” she further explained.

Pinckney also appreciated the flexibility that Ashland’s M.Ed. program affords.

“Overall, I found Ashland’s online learning option to be a perfect fit for my busy life. So much of our time as educators is spent working, even after we leave the workplace.

Combining that with being a single mother, the idea of furthering my education had felt daunting for some time.

When I finally decided to give it a try, I was blown away by how seamlessly I was able to incorporate (the) program into my life. I appreciate how well thought out the course offerings were, the flexibility of class times and due dates and the grace extended to students by their instructors,” she said.

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

AWARDED $2.4 MILLION GRANT FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT Ashland University has received a grant of approximately $2.4 million from Lilly Endowment Inc., through its Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative.

The aim of the initiative is to provide resources to help churches in rural areas and small towns enhance the vitality of their ministries and strengthen the leadership of the pastors and lay leaders who guide them.

“I am excited for the grant as a significant part of our reach extends into rural and small towns,” said Yvonne Glass, executive dean and associate professor of counseling for Ashland Theological Seminary, which will be home to the new grant-funded project. “Our founding denomination, the Brethren Church, thrives in these places. This grant allows us to have greater impact in preparation of strong, sound, theologically prepared leaders in the local church.”

ATS is dividing the grant into three areas. Pre-seminary programming will target youth and aim to retain their

involvement in the church and community life, while also identifying and nurturing future leaders at an early age. The funding will help expand youth programs, help younger students discern vocation and ministry calls and potentially integrate them into vocational ministry tracks.

The seminary-based programming’s focus is on undergraduate and seminary students, specific to student internships, stackable degree options and a Doctor of Ministry cohort. It is developing initiatives to provide practical experiences, reduce financial burdens and increase scholarship and resources for rural-based churches and communities.

The Lilly Endowment will also support a range of continuing education and support programs for pastors and lay leaders, such as micro-credentials, specialty certificates, virtual support groups and workshops.

AU HISTORY PROFESSOR APPEARING ON SERIES OF

HISTORY’S GREATEST MYSTERIES EPISODES Those tuning into the History Channel’s documentary series History’s Greatest Mysteries may see a familiar face throughout the sixth season of the popular show.

John Moser, Ph.D., chair of the history and political science department at Ashland University and a member of the AU faculty since 2001, will be making regular appearances—seven to be exact—as an expert commentator during the show’s current season.

In his debut episode Feb. 3, Moser discussed the Franklin Expedition, an 1845 voyage led by Sir John Franklin of the British Royal Navy that had set out to explore the Northwest Passage, the sea lane along the northern coast of Canada. The voyage’s two ships and 129 men disappeared and never returned, apparently having become icebound.

“The ships weren’t actually found until this century … no remains of the crew were on board. So, what happened to them is the real mystery,” said Moser.

A jack of all trade when it comes to history, Moser will be offering his insight on other topics and legendary figures, such as the Secrets of the Sphinx, the Lost Places of the Old Testament, Pablo Escobar, Amelia Earhart and Nikola Tesla on History’s Greatest Mysteries.

Moser’s journey to becoming a television personality began when a

producer caught wind of his expertise on the Great Depression, a topic that he has taught to hundreds of AU students, researched and written about extensively.

“Out of the blue, I got an email from the producer asking if my knowledge of the Great Depression, which is my main knowledge of interest academically, whether that extends to John Dillinger,” explained Moser.

Of Dillinger, the infamous 1930s era American gangster, Moser responded, “I said, ‘yeah sure I know a thing or two about him.’”

He continued, “They did a screen test via Zoom just to see how I would do on camera, and apparently, I passed that. They brought me out to this episode on John Dillinger (last March), and they apparently liked what they saw because they said we want to keep bringing you out.”

Moser credits his new-found small screen success to his academic expertise combined with an extensive background in community theatre, highlighted by regular performances at the Mansfield Playhouse. “(They) want somebody with a certain amount of expertise, of course.

The fact that I have a Ph.D. and an academic appointment matters, so Ashland University’s name is going to show up in all these episodes,” said Moser. “But they also want somebody who has some personality on camera I have a long history of doing community theatre, so that was not difficult for me. I think that’s why they kept inviting me back. I have a certain presence on camera.” www.ashland.edu | 15

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

Ann Lindower Eagle ’62 and John Lersch ’79 returned for a celebration of the AU campus’ first Peace Pole. The gift is credited to the late Rev. Phil Lersch ’58 and Jean Lindower Lersch ’55.

RECENTLY DISCOVERED PEACE POLE

NOW INSTALLED AT CENTER OF AU MAIN CAMPUS A Peace Pole – an internationally-recognized marker that represents love, peace and harmony – was installed and unveiled during the fall semester at Ashland University. There are an estimated 250,000 Peace Poles across the U.S., serving as powerful symbols that each display the timeless message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in a variety of languages.

AU’s first such Peace Pole was erected in an appropriate location – outside Bixlar Hall, where the Ashland Center for Nonviolence is housed.

“The idea of these poles is (a) standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth,” said Peter Slade, Ph.D., professor of religion, during a dedication ceremony. “The reason this pole is outside the Ashland Center for Nonviolence is that the ACN is placed here— the center of Ashland University—to remind the students, the community and the Brethren church that we need to think, speak and act, according to our traditions, in a spirit of peace.”

Dorothy Stratton, a former professor of social work at AU and wife of the late John Stratton, one of the founders of ACN, was also on hand and added that the pole represents three specific qualities to her.

“Peace poles… (are) aspirational. It’s the way we want things to be. We want peace and we hope for peace, so it’s an aspirational statement to have one here,” she explained. “Second, they’re intentional. We intend to behave and just completely live in a way that promotes peaceful living and relationships. And third, they’re hopeful. Just the fact that so many different languages are represented. Think about it, every language has words for the

16 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

concept of peacefulness. That should make us hopeful in these times where there’s so much conflict.”

Interestingly, this “new” Peace Pole’s exact origins are a bit of a mystery. It was discovered in storage by an employee in the facilities department, but is believed to have been gifted to the university when Fred Finks served as president of the university (2006-14).

The late Rev. Phil Lersch, who graduated from the Ashland Theological Seminary in 1958, and his wife, Jean (Lindower ’55) Lersch, are credited with the gift.

“I think some publicity about the establishment of the ACN got the attention of Phil Lersch who was in Florida. Phil got in touch with my husband, John, and was very happy such a center was being established here at AU,” Stratton recalled. “(Phil) was very interested in … the peace focus of his denomination.”

John Lersch ’79, who majored in science and physical education when attending AU, confirmed that a Peace Pole was exactly the type of philanthropy his father, a full-time minister throughout his career, would get behind. “(Dad) played some football (here). He was known as a pretty intense competitor, but in his preaching career, he was just as passionate,” remarked Lersch. “From the pulpit and from a lot of writing and articles and correspondence with groups like this, and even the way he conducted himself with the neighborhood kids … just his whole life was always about peace.”

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

HEIDI (BENCH ’02) MEYER A NATIONAL WINNER

OF SHINE A LIGHT ON ANTI-SEMITISM CIVIC COURAGE AWARD A Holocaust class that Heidi (Bench ’02) Meyer took at Ashland University 25 years ago put her on the path to an impressive honor.

It was recently revealed that Meyer, a teacher at Elmwood High School in northwest Ohio since 2008, was one of two high school educators from across the country selected for a 2024 Shine A Light on Anti-Semitism Civic Courage Award by the Jewish Education Project. There were 19 total winners in various categories, ranging from educators and students to content creators and game developers.

The Civic Courage Award recognizes those “who take bold action to combat dangerous trends” and “whether through education, activism or creative expression, recipients … are lighting the way forward at a time when standing against hate has never been more crucial,” according to the award announcement.

Specific to Meyer, it read “Heidi’s unwavering commitment to combating ignorance with knowledge and fostering empathy exemplifies her passion for creating a more inclusive and compassionate school environment.”

Meyer was first moved deeply by the atrocities of the Holocaust during the AU course taught by the late David Rausch, Ph.D. She

labeled it a “springboard” and now makes it an annual goal to expose a new generation of students to the Holocaust. She does so via a number of teaching methods, some inspired by Rausch.

“Dr. Dave was just really good. He knew how to make connections.

He showed us documentaries. He just knew how to connect with content,” explained Meyer. “I just loved him as a professor and the Holocaust course that he taught … it opened up my eyes.”

Today, Meyer, who earned both a bachelor’s degree and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from AU, is the one who provides engaging lessons. She has her students’ full attention on topics in AP American history, world history and AP U.S. government, but when it comes to the Holocaust, she goes above and beyond.

In addition to reading resources—some from the same book that she was first introduced to in Rausch’s class—and showing documentaries with actual footage of the Holocaust, Meyer welcomes in diverse community speakers to educate students, coordinates visits with Holocaust survivor families and leads field trips to a number of Holocaust museums.

Meyer, citing Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, remarked, “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness, and that’s been my motto in teaching. We try to make connections for these kids to make it personal because if you don’t make it personal it means nothing. It’s just history.”

BOB AND JAN ARCHER DONATE

$1 MILLION TO ASHLAND CENTER FOR NONVIOLENCE

The Ashland Center for Nonviolence at Ashland University marked its 20th anniversary in 2024, and now thanks to the generosity of Bob and Jan Archer, the center’s long-term future has been secured. The Archers have donated $1 million to establish the Janet L. Archer Ashland Center for Nonviolence Endowed Fund.

Jan Archer has been a supporter of ACN since its inception and is delighted to establish this fund, which will support the center’s director.

“My involvement with the Nonviolence Center goes back to its beginning. Before the country went to war in Iraq, I joined several citizens from both the university and the community in peaceful protests. When war was declared, our group asked ‘what can we do?’” she explained. “The answer was to start ACN. I am pleased at how the program has grown. We hope that our gift can help continue the program far into the future because we need to learn alternatives to violence (in) our society.”

ACN seeks a world in which human conflict at all levels can be resolved without resorting to violence and in which social justice can be realized. The center promotes alternatives to violence and supports efforts to create a more just, inclusive and caring community.

Craig Hovey, Ph.D., the current director of ACN and a professor of religion, expressed gratitude for the Archers’ support.

“Thanks to the Archers, there’s going to be meaningful and consistent leadership for ACN into the future. That’s really the whole idea,” Hovey said. “The faculty member directing ACN, in perpetuity, will be able to devote more time and energy to promoting peace.”

Hovey expects to develop more influential conferences and events, increase grant writing and expand programming for AU students and the community. “The fund will allow us to do more and bigger things. That’s the reality,” he said.

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

Sarah Watson, president of the AU Student Wellness Team, was recognized nationally for her impressive series of initiatives that are raising mental health awareness on campus.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE SARAH WATSON

EARNS NATIONAL OUTSTANDING PEER EDUCATOR AWARD

Sarah Watson, a junior at Ashland University, earned national recognition for her powerful and relentless work on mental health awareness, as she was selected for the Outstanding Peer Educator Award at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Peer Education Conference, held in Boston on Jan. 18.

“Sarah is absolutely phenomenal and richly deserving of this special honor,” said Janel Molnar, director of recreation and wellness at AU. “She has truly taken a terrible tragedy and has made it her mission to make sure each person in the AU community and beyond knows they are valued and there is help available.”

Since joining the AU campus in the fall of 2022, Watson has developed a series of mental health initiatives, first focusing her efforts within the athletic department. A member of the Eagles’ women’s soccer team, she bravely shared the personal story of her father’s suicide while emphasizing the importance of mental health with her coaches, teammates and other student-athletes. Her message of “it’s OK to not be OK” resonated.

Watson then felt called to make a larger impact and steer mental health initiatives throughout campus. As a sophomore, she became the AU Wellness Intern and initiated the Student Wellness Team, a group that has grown to 16 peer educators who are all striving to promote wellness initiatives across campus.

Today, Watson serves as president of the Student Wellness Team, and in that role, focuses on wellness education, assists with the development of all student wellness programs for the university and themes for each awareness month. She also is a member of Eagle Well and the Mental Health Task Force, university-wide committees

18 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

composed of students, faculty and staff.

Molnar noted that due primarily to Watson’s efforts, “currently, 64% of our campus has been impacted by a wellness program throughout their college experience.”

In addition, Watson facilitates a number of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) sessions throughout the year for both students and faculty/staff and she has been a keynote speaker for the Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walk, coordinated by the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County.

During the fall of 2024, Watson spoke at the dedication of AU’s new suicide awareness bench, which was donated from Josh’s Benches for Awareness organization. She also chose the inscription for the bench, “Stay another day, keep going,” a phrase that Watson introduced to Ashland and now “campus is using as (its) own,” according to Molnar.

Upon receiving the Outstanding Peer Educator Award, Watson said, “Wellness has always been a huge passion of mine … in different ways throughout the many years of my life. I wanted to first start off by thanking God because this is His plan in my life. My father died by suicide when I was 10 years old, but it led me to serving my community and making a difference out of a tragedy. I strongly believe God didn’t put me through something like that if it wasn’t to help others.”

She continued, “Here I am today … making every day hopefully just a little bit better for everyone. Ashland has given me a second home and I’m thankful that I’m part of a university that allows me to lead student wellness and have the opportunities that I do.

ACADEMIC & CAMPUSNEWS

Kim Mager ’91 has successfully made the transition from the Ashland Police Department to leading AU’s safety services, all while promoting a top-selling book about her work solving the 2018 case of a serial killer.

NEW SAFETY SERVICES DIRECTOR

IS AN ACCOMPLISHED ALUMNA AND AUTHOR

Ashland University’s new safety services director, Kim Mager ‘91, garnered some national attention during her first few months on the job, highlighted by a segment on 20/20, ABC’s award-winning, long-running news magazine.

“We work a 24/7 operation answering the phone and doing security checks,” Mager said. “We’re even here on holidays when everyone is home. I’m impressed with how hard the people on my team work.”

To be clear, Mager’s turn in the spotlight didn’t have anything to do with her accomplishments at AU. It was due to her impressive work as a detective with the Ashland Police Department when she helped bring about the conviction of serial killer Shawn Grate in 2018.

Mager is leading AU’s safety services with the same persistence as when she worked to solve the Grate case. She is systematically going through every building to re-familiarize herself with campus, as a lot has changed in the three-plus decades since she studied criminal justice at AU.

Following her retirement from the Ashland P.D. in 2022, Mager decided to pen a book, co-authored with Lisa Pulitzer, a New York Times best-selling author of non-fiction, about her experience convicting Grate. The book, “A Hunger to Kill,” was published in July 2024 and has gone over well as she has been requested for interviews by a number of media outlets, including Fox News, and podcasters, but it just so happened to coincide with the start of her new position.

“I’m trying to balance what I have to do in the office with what I have to learn about campus,” Mager explained. “I want the officers to be visible and approachable. I don’t want people’s first meeting with an officer to be because something happened. I want us to build relationships with students and staff, so they will be comfortable with us. That’s’ super important to me.”

“The book was just being launched when I started here, so I didn’t do a typical book launch because I just started my new job,” Mager said. “I said ‘I have a new job and that comes first so, if you need to interview me, it has to be at night or on the weekend.’ The publisher has been very understanding about that.”

While Mager appreciates the attention her story has received and the extra book sales, the majority of her focus has been on her new team of campus officers, dispatchers and operations manager.

Likewise, Mager said she feels she is in good hands working at her alma mater. And, she wants the campus she loves to feel in good hands with her and her staff.

“I’m impressed from top to bottom with the mission of the university,” remarked Mager. “It’s not just words. People are true to the mission. I’ve watched employee interactions with students where the students are embraced and lifted up. I’ve had conversations with employees as I’ve walked through the buildings and I can see it’s a shared vision.”

www.ashland.edu | 19

ATHLETICNEWS

Clockwise from upper left, Dana Hicks, McKinley Mendenhall, Oliver Whaley and Tony Pannunzio were voted on to their respective sports’ Academic AllAmerica Teams following the fall season.

FOUR EAGLES NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS

ALL TEAMS FINISH WITH 3.0 GPAS

As usual, the success of Ashland University’s athletic department extended far beyond the venues of competition during the 2024 fall semester.

Four student-athletes were voted Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators in their respective sports – junior Dana Hicks and senior McKinley Mendenhall in women’s soccer, senior Tony Pannunzio in football and fifth-year senior Oliver Whaley in men’s soccer – and each of Ashland’s athletic teams finished with a higher than 3.0 GPA. Overall, the athletic department’s combined GPA was 3.35 in the fall.

“Our student-athletes work hard in and out of the classroom, and it is reflected in how high their team GPAs were in the fall,” said Elizabeth Hoge, assistant athletic director/senior woman administrator/director of academic support services for athletics.

“With each team being over a 3.0, it shows how well our students and coaches work to ensure that everyone is successful and taking pride in their work.

“This past fall, we have had the highest average GPA since I first started in 2018, and it has been exciting to watch it continue to improve each semester. Shout out to our success coach DaJuan Seward for all he does with our student-athletes, and thank you to the advisors, tutors and writing center coaches for helping our student-athletes out.”

Said Al King, director of athletics, “I think our coaches and student-

20 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

athletes are driven to be successful in the classroom. I believe they take just as much pride in their academic success as they do their athletic accomplishments. That’s not always an easy message to drive home.

“I give our coaches, plus our academic counselors Elizabeth and DaJuan, a ton of credit for getting this done. They’ve put the focus where it belongs and made it very clear that’s the standard and it will always be the standard.”

Hicks was second-team on the Academic All-America Team. In addition to totaling 36 points on 14 goals and eight assists, she holds a 3.96 cumulative GPA while majoring in exercise science.

Mendenhall’s numbers were nearly identical, as she took a spot as a third-team Academic All-American. She scored 14 goals and added 10 assists for a 38-point season, while owning a 3.97 GPA as an exercise science major.

Pannunzio, a second-team honoree on the Academic All-America Team, was the Eagles’ leading receiver with 933 yards, and he also sports a 3.92 GPA as a biology major.

Whaley earned first-team Academic All-American recognition after tying for the team lead with seven goals as a midfielder. He had a perfect 4.00 GPA while earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and also currently holds a 4.00 GPA in Ashland’s MBA program.

FALL SPORTS WRAP-UP WOMEN’S SOCCER – Ashland finished 17-2-2 overall and 12-0-2 in the Great Midwest, winning both the league’s regular season and tournament championships.

The Eagles also qualified for the NCAA Div. II playoffs for the sixth consecutive time and were slotted No. 16 in the final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Div. II poll for 2024.

Junior forward Dana Hicks and senior forward McKinley Mendenhall were selected as All-Americans by the Div. II Conference Commissioner’s Association, with Hicks earning second-team status and Mendenhall third-team. They each scored 14 goals. Hicks was the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, senior midfielder Merrik Mihalek the Defensive Player of the Year and Cayleb Paulino the Coach of the Year.

VOLLEYBALL – Ashland wrapped up the campaign at 19-11 overall and 12-4 during Great Midwest play, winning the East Division and qualifying for the conference tournament. The

relatively-young squad was paced by freshman outside hitter Samantha Young, picked as the Great Midwest’s Freshman of the Year, and sophomore libero Abbey Queen, a firstteam all-conference honoree after setting a school record with 624 digs.

MEN’S SOCCER – The Eagles went 10-7-1 on the season, including 9-4-1 in the Great Midwest, which put them in the league tournament for the third year in a row. Senior ‘keeper Ty Bowden notched the second firstteam all-conference award of his career after posting a 1.32 goals against average and .724 save percentage.

CROSS COUNTRY – Two Ashland cross country runners – junior Nate Slater and senior Lily Dowdell – finished in sixth-place in their respective Great Midwest Championship races. Slater made history as the Eagle men’s team’s first first-team all-Great Midwest honoree.

FOOTBALL MAKES HISTORY

DURING 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

Even for a program more than 100 years old, there’s a first time for everything.

Ashland wound up ranked 23rd in the final American Football Coaches Association Div. II poll.

During the fall of 2024, Ashland University’s football team finished 9-4 overall and 8-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, winning the conference championship outright. Qualifying for the NCAA Div. II postseason for the ninth time, the Eagles won a road playoff game for the first time in program history – 40-38 at No. 6 ranked Charleston. They nearly won a second before bowing out to No. 20 California (Pa) in a 34-33 thriller.

Eagle head coach Doug Geiser earned Great Midwest Coach of the Year honors. Senior Trevor Bycznski quarterbacked the offense, throwing for 2,827 yards and 18 touchdowns, and sophomore Ty’aris Stevenson led the rushing attack with 929 yards and a dozen scores, while senior defensive end Jeffrey Barnett was the lone player selected All-Super Region 1 after recording 7.5 sacks, 36 tackles and two forced fumbles.

News 1949

1998

James Simmermon ’49 will be celebrating his 99th birthday this March. He lives in an apartment at Longwood at Oakmont, a retirement community in Verona, Pa. A former recipient of AU’s Distinguished Service Award, Jim remains active in Rotary and participates in several groups and committees at Longwood.

1970 Robert Morton ’70 is proud to share that he retired in 2006 after a fulfilling career as a school psychologist for Fremont City Schools and as an adjunct professor in the School of Leadership and Policy Studies at Bowling Green State University. Since retiring, Robert has pursued his passion for writing and launched the Corey PearsonCIA Spymaster Short Story series. These action-packed vignettes deliver thrilling spy adventures one can enjoy in just 20-30 minutes, and he invites you to check them out on Amazon.

James Brown ’60

Maureen McLaughlin ’98 Ater was selected to lead ArtsinStark, Stark County’s Arts Council, as its new CEO. She will oversee the organization’s efforts to award grants, manage the Cultural Center and execute the Annual Campaign for the Arts. Ater previously served as vice president of marketing and development for Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, general manager of The Canton Repository/GateHouse Ohio Media and vice president of marketing for United Way of Greater Stark County.

Donald Grabach ’60

2005

Frederick Burkey ’63

Jill Gosche ’05 became the outreach coordinator for Seneca Conservation District in December 2024.

Elwin Rickert ’63

Marriages/Anniversaries and Births 1971

Edgard Barreto ’61 Raymond Harvey ’61 Albert Holloway ’61 Hazel (Donelson ’61) Shay Donna (Byerly ’61) Stauffer Carolyn (Karl ’N62) Kaple Gene Sellers ’62 Donna (McElvain ’63) Barrett

Janice (Bowman ’64) Barnthouse Freeman Henry ’64 Jo Auer ’65 Richard Cobun ’65 Kit Conwell ’65

Diane (Honecker ’71) Bellina shared that she married Daniel Bellina.

Gary Maxheimer ’65

1978

Naomi (Soliday ’N65) Stahl

Kevin Lillie ’79 retired on Aug. 1, 2024, after 30 years serving as the treasurer/CFO of the Geneva Area City School District in Geneva, Ohio.

In 2022, he received the Chuck Gossett Legislative Advocacy Award from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials for his work on the Fair School Funding Plan’s transportation work group.

Theresa Cook White ’78 was married on June 22, 2024, to Donald Boelter in Columbus, Ohio.

William Dorsey ’66

1983

1979

In Memoriam

Barbara (Lamson ’65) Miller Carol (Snyder ’N65) Thompson Elizabeth (Mullin ’67) Waser Dennis Cannon ’68

Walter Bixler ’48

Kwok Chui ’68

Mary (Benninghoff ’48) Hinchcliff

Mary (Giffels ’68) Halter

Reta (Young ’49) Swain

Rita (Slabaugh ’68) Moore

E. (Yarger ’50) Booth-Motter

Eloise Paxton ’68

David Campbell ’51

Paul Skeeles ’68

Helen (Armstrong ’83) Woolley recently retired from High Point Regional High School as a special education teacher of 39.5 years. Helen’s son just got married, her other son just got engaged and her daughter is in college studying nursing. Helen has been married 35 years.

Gordon Carlson ’50

Barbara (Kenestrick ’69) Arter

Josephine (Sauder ’50) Miller

Arthur Blocksidge ’69

Richard Lowe ’51

Donald Britcher ’69

Donald Lewis ’52

Patrick Harris ’69

Helen (Chesrown ’53) Easterday

Paul Johnson ’69

1983

Charles Wilkinson ’53

Janis Peery ’69

Todd Payne ’87 has joined Pensacola International Airport as assistant director of strategy and development.

He is responsible for the airport’s air service development, marketing, communications, media relations and terminal advertising programs. Todd and his wife, Jill (Croley ’85) Payne, are in the process of moving to the Pensacola area.

Neil Woodworth ’53

Carolyn Rudy ’69

John Scheffel ’54

Evelyn (Hassinger ’69) Schneider

Duane Benton ’55

Byrl Shaver ’69

Geoffrey Clay ’55

Eilene (Jesson ’70) Bates

Vaughn Campbell ’56

Mary Ellen (Edick ’70) Hargrove

Paul Tinkel ’56

Val Harris ’70

1992

Richard Phipps ’57

Douglas Hartman ’70

Forrest Pruner ’57

Paul Imke ’70

F. Duane Trout ’57

Michael Jackson ’70

Benjamin Wetter ’57

Ellen McEwen ’70

Esther (Bauer ’57) Wilcox

John Meyer ’70

LeRoy Glover ’58

David Prieur ’70

Frederick Hoenicke ’58

Jimmy Williams ’70

Wilford Keil ’58

Mona (Wissinger ’71) Dunlap

Charles Lambright ’58

Jon Varner ’71

Margaret (Psiaki ’59) Close

Shirley Williams ’71

Harriet (Dohner ’59) Conrady

Allen Greenaway ’72

Judy (Watson ’N59) McCune

Raymond Huber ’72

Paul Stineman

Joel Kelsey ’72

At the recent Ohio Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annual convention in Sandusky on Dec. 5, 2024, Joy (Gerlach ’92) Van Horn was honored as the state’s Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for 2024. She is in her 32nd year of teaching elementary physical education in Kenton and also teaches adapted physical education at Simon Kenton School. Joy thanks her former professors and colleagues for their professionalism and encouragement to be a successful educator.

22 | Ashland University | Spring 2025

Roger Kreps ’72

Jeffrey Starkey ’S92

Ruth (Wolf ’72) Miller

David Tolson ’92

James Moore ’72

Jane Brown ’N94

Alison (George) Roepke ’72 ’G87

Michele Ganslein ’94

John Slaybaugh ’72

Jorge Gomez ’G94

Merle (Reisling ’73) Fenske

William Schwan ’S95

Baird Hanes ’73

Rebecca (Young ’G96) Blackstone

John McKinley ’73

JoAnn (Slevin ’G96) Marcinkoski

Ray Nissen ’73

Richard Martinek ’96

Robert Robertson ’73

Mary (Hoffman ’G96) Meikle

Michael Roetzer ’73

Barbara (Holko ’G96) Thomas

Janice (Gibson ’N73) Smith

Sonja Bender ’S97

Judd Griffith ’74

Stephanie (Roper ’97) Smith

Jane (Frey ’74) Parr

Stephanie (Fry ’98) Clark

Sheila Starkey ’74

Steven Workman ’G98

Deborah Willhelm ’74

Constance (Meyer ’G99) Bunn

Michael Raschen ’75

Marilyn Frantz ’G00

Edwin Hissa ’76

Craig Redmond ’G02

Thomas Keelor ’76

Conrad Hempel ’S03

Doyle Morris ’76

Robert Bilbrey ’G04

Wallace Pealer ’76

Monica Gillen ’04

Fred Vanderhoff ’78

Donna Bluhm ’S06

Michael Boyd ’G79

Shanna (Roper ’06) Stoffer

Hugh Barnard ’G80

Dennis Barber ’G12

Lucia (Fabrizi ’80) Greene

Jessica Winston ’12

Bosie Miliner ’81

Philip Blair ’S14

Richard Zimmerly ’G81

Elizabeth Byfield ’S14

Timothy Miller ’G82

Curtis Wellington ’G15

Sam Rittenour ’82

Michael Bisenius ’G22

David Tome ’82 James Zoda ’82 Thomas Krol ’84

Ashland University’s Future Eagles Legacy Program, which recruits and recognizes children, step-children and grandchildren of Ashland alumni, is recognized as one of the top programs of its kind in the country.

Initiated in the 1980s, our Legacy Program has grown to where it now boasts more than 250 legacy students on campus!

When children, step-children or grandchildren apply to Ashland University, they will receive a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship, and this grant is renewable by maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

The office of Alumni and Admissions wishes to have a lifelong relationship with your family. We look forward to congratulating legacies on exciting milestones in their lives. Legacies are recognized at birth and again on their 5th, 12th, 16th and 17th birthdays.

To enroll, visit www.ashland.edu and click on Alumni

Wishing y ou a

G – Graduate degree N – Nursing degree S – Seminary

Marvin Beauford ’85 Marion Altman ’86 Betty Hughes ’86 Beverly (Wallen ’G87) Essman Sharon Obrecht ’G87 Betty Smith ’G87 Amy (Bobyarchick ’87) Singleton Nancy (Dickey ’G88) Becker

from all of the

Eagles at

Avenue 401 College 44805 o hi O Ashland, Office of A lumni Enga ge m d.edu ent www.ashl www.ashlan and.edu 401 College Avenue Ashland, Ohio 44805 www.ashland.edu

Robert Crowley ’S88 Emma Huskins ’88

WZ10650_8.24

Paula (Moser ’S88) Longabaugh Daniel Miller ’G88 Robert Salter ’88 Sandra (Rhinemiller ’G89) Jones Gloria Yoh ’G90 Thomas Gilliotti ’G91 James Sellers ’G91

g r to becomin er year close !

You’re anoth le niversity Eag an Ashland U

Haven Shelton ’G91 Jack Sickafoose ’G91 Amanda (Jackson ’N91) Simon John James ’G92 Donita (Hughes ’92) Switzer

www.ashland.edu | 23

#EagleNation, we are so grateful!

2025 Day of Giving was a record setter 661 donors $400,809

Thank you for continuing to #ChooseAshland and supporting student success!

For more information, contact the Annual Giving Office annualfund@ashland.edu or call 419-289-5457