WINTER 2022 ISSUE 7
1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University
Answering a Call to Lead, Serve and Transform
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Answering a Call to Lead, Serve and Transform ODU’s 17th President Connie Gallaher reflects on her first six months in office, and shares how her career in healthcare prepared her to lead Central Ohio’s Catholic university into the future.
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Alumni Profile: Living a Life on Purpose Alumna Achea Redd ’02 shares how her ODU experience helped her overcome physical and mental wellness challenges, and equipped her with tools she uses today to help women find their voices.
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Contemplata – Faculty Perspectives A lot has changed since the Dominican Sisters of Peace founded the university in 1911. What is ODU’s role in the world today? We asked five faculty members to share their thoughts.
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Campus Happenings
10 Class Notes 12 Student Point of View 13 Why We Give
Front cover: President Connie Gallaher speaks with a group of students on the Oval in November 2021.
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1216 The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University
1216 is published twice a year for alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and staff by Ohio Dominican University. The name “1216” represents both the founding year of the Dominican Order and ODU’s street address – a touchpoint for a publication that closely examines a particular topic or theme that is unique to each edition. It strives to engage readers, develop interest and provide a better understanding of how the university is helping students connect their passion with God’s purpose for their lives. Magazine Staff Editor Tom Brockman Designer Monica Martin Contributors Ashley Comstock ’22 Kristall Day, Ph.D. Jay ’96 and Amy ’95 DeLuca Jeremy Glazier Sonya Goshe, Ph.D. Daniel Little, Ph.D. Arlene Ramkissoon, DBA Achea Redd ’02 Mission Statement As a Catholic liberal arts university in the Dominican tradition, Ohio Dominican University is guided in its educational mission by the Dominican motto: to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation. Ohio Dominican educates individuals committed to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth, who develop into lifelong learners, serving others in a global society. They in turn become ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace. Please send address changes and comments to alumni@ohiodominican.edu. Ohio Dominican University was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Dear Friends, It is my sincere hope that this issue of 1216 Magazine finds you, your family and your loved ones healthy, well-rested and energized for all that 2022 has in store. The arrival of a New Year is a natural time for us to pause and reflect on our lives over the previous 12 months. What were the high points? How did you react to life’s surprises? Who were the individuals who touched your life – and whose life did you touch? I’ve asked myself these very questions lately because, at this time last year, I never could have imagined I’d be here at ODU serving as president – something I consider to be a great honor and tremendous privilege. The past six months have been unlike anything I’ve experienced in my life professionally, personally or spiritually. In this short time, ODU has touched me in profound ways, opening my eyes to the impact that Catholic higher education has on students’ lives and the doors that an ODU education in particular has the power to open. While we continue to live in uncertain times due to the pandemic, I find inspiration in the resilience of our students, the passion of our faculty, and the commitment of our staff to providing a top-notch experience for all who call ODU home. Institutions of higher education are entering a turbulent time as the number of high school graduates is expected to decline over the next several years. We must – and will – prepare now to confront that challenge and thrive. This issue of 1216, which is my first since becoming president, details some of the steps we’re taking at this very moment to evolve, grow and innovate so we have the privilege of serving our students and community as we have done over the past 111 years. American financier and banker J.P. Morgan once said, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” While I won’t share with you a New Year’s resolution, I will make a promise: ODU is on the move and we will approach 2022 with the same vigor, bold decisionmaking, and inventive thinking that the Dominican Sisters of Peace had when they founded ODU more than a century ago. ODU’s brightest days are ahead of us, and I am excited to work with you to see what we can accomplish – together. Wishing you and your loved ones the very best in the New Year. Sincerely, Connie Gallaher President
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Answering a Call to Lead, Serve and Transform By Tom Brockman, Editor
Connie Gallaher’s career has taken her from the hospital room as a nurse to the boardroom as a health system executive; however, it wasn’t until retirement that she experienced – what she calls – the career calling of a lifetime. A registered nurse for 44 years, Gallaher has served in executive leadership roles with all three major adult health systems in the Central Ohio region. She spent the last 14 years with OhioHealth in Columbus, most recently serving as chief operating officer, then president of OhioHealth at Home, which provides comprehensive care and treatment to patients in their home setting.
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Shortly after retiring in February 2021, Gallaher was contacted by ODU Trustee Janet Bay, M.D., a neurosurgeon, friend and colleague with whom Gallaher worked at OhioHealth. During that call, Bay mentioned the search for ODU’s next president, and asked if Gallaher might be interested. “It caught me completely off guard,” Gallaher said. “But Janet said, ‘Connie, if we wanted what we had always had, then we would follow the same pathway.’” Shortly following that conversation, while vacationing in the Smoky Mountains with family, Gallaher says she came to the realization that this decision, as unconventional as it seemed at the time, was not of her choosing. She says a prayer, “The Mission of My Life,” by Cardinal John Henry Newman, spoke to her. An excerpt of the prayer reads, “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught.” “It was at that time – the first time in my career – that I understood one thing very clearly: This was not my choice,” Gallaher said. “This time, my career was in other hands.” She says her son, Lt. Michael Gallaher, who serves as an Air Battle Manager in the United States Air Force, gave her a vote of confidence that only a child can. She made a trip to Georgia to visit Michael in person because she knew a face-to-face conversation would be the only way she would truly understand his feelings on the matter. “If you know one thing about me, it’s that I am family first – always,” Gallaher said. “If I had gotten the sense that Michael wouldn’t be supportive of this new endeavor, I wouldn’t have had a desire to give the opportunity any additional thought. Fortunately, he not only reassured me, he also gave me a big ‘thumbs up’ and a beaming smile. That was all I needed to see.”
Photo courtesy of Andrew Weber, The Ohio State University College of Nursing
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Gallaher joins Board of Trustees Chair Fred Takavitz to welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine to ODU on Aug. 16 (top left), welcomes students back to campus during Move-In Day on Aug. 14 (above) and flips the ceremonial coin toss prior to the football team’s home opener against Shepherd University on Sept. 2 (left).
Gallaher says the months that have followed since assuming the presidency in June have been more fulfilling than she ever could have imagined. She’s presented honorary degrees to Ohio’s Governor and First Lady, Mike and Fran DeWine, flipped the ceremonial coin toss at ODU’s season-opening football game, and has had an opportunity to fully immerse herself in the campus community. “It hasn’t taken me long to see what I heard from so many during the hiring process, which is that ODU has a very special community. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of in my life.”
never wanted to hear someone talk about healthcare as a business. They would say, ‘We’re here to take care of patients.’ “What I would tell them is, ‘We’re in the business of taking care of patients. If you don’t also have a business mind about it, one day you are going to lose your privilege of taking care of patients.’” Gallaher says future success at Ohio Dominican comes down to innovation – innovative academic programs, innovative corporate and community relationships, and innovative approaches to fundraising.
Despite the excitement of her first months in office, Gallaher says she hasn’t lost focus on the importance of her role with regard to leading Ohio Dominican through a pandemic and ensuring it thrives in the years to come. It’s a scenario that she says her career in healthcare helped to prepare her for.
With the number of high school graduates in Ohio facing a steep decline in the coming years, Gallaher has acted with urgency to engage outside partners to bolster enrollment efforts, enhance fundraising performance and expand academic offerings. In the fall, ODU launched a new online Certificate in Data Science and began development of a Master of Science in Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies program.
“We are here to prepare and educate tomorrow’s leaders, but our ability to do so for years to come will depend on our ability to run ODU like a business,” Gallaher said. “When I was in healthcare, I heard from many nurses, physicians, pharmacists or social workers who
Gallaher says the health sciences provide ODU with a significant opportunity to not only attract more high-achieving students, but also fulfill the university’s mission of providing an outstanding education to all who seek it while serving the community.
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Gallaher greets staff volunteers during Move-In Day on Aug. 14 (far left), congratulates members of the Homecoming Court (left) and poses with ODU’s cheerleading squad prior to the Homecoming game on Oct. 23 (below).
Gallaher takes a tour of White Castle’s new headquarters in downtown Columbus on Oct. 6.
“The steps that colleges and universities take today will determine their success in the future, and even whether they are able to remain open. We intend to not only be open, but thriving.” She says pursuing new relationships and partnerships is another way that ODU can create new opportunities for students, while also positioning itself for future success. This past year, Central Ohio Primary Care opened a new Care Forward Center in Peace Hall, which provides care to members of the campus and surrounding communities and also creates shadowing opportunities for students. ODU also has established a number of partnerships, including with the City of Gahanna to provide its employees with the ability to pursue an MBA at discounted rate; Xavier University’s College of Nursing to provide ODU students with enhanced opportunities to pursue a career in nursing; and White Castle to provide students with internships prior to graduating. “We’re finding there is very close alignment with ODU’s mission and that of many Central Ohio organizations. People truly want to work with us. It’s really been a matter of starting conversations, and the relationships have taken off from there.”
Gallaher says ODU’s mission has never been more important and relevant than it is today, which is to “educate individuals committed to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth, who develop into lifelong learners, serving others in a global society. They in turn become ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.”
we move forward, we will remain laser “As focused on honoring the past while celebrating
the present and creating the future. There is a lot to celebrate at Ohio Dominican – from the outstanding faculty who teach in our classrooms, to the talented students who have not let a pandemic get in the way of their personal, professional and educational aspirations, to the creativity and determination of our entire community. This place is unique. This place is special. And I’m convinced that the world needs a place like ODU now more than ever.
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Living a
Life on Purpose By Achea Redd ’02, B.A. in Public Relations & Marketing Author, Entrepreneur and Mental Wellness Advocate
I look back on my time at Ohio Dominican with great fondness and a true appreciation for its role in helping me become the person I am today. I didn’t realize it at the time – few students do – but each second of my ODU journey impacted my life in profound ways. This past August, I had the privilege of addressing ODU’s incoming class of students at Convocation. What a surreal experience. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but picture myself in the audience more than 20 years earlier when, as an 18-year-old freshman, I was at a particularly vulnerable stage. For so many years since childhood, I had been trying to figure out what my place was in the world. I’ve struggled with depression and eating disorders, and in 2016, was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a condition that I tried to hide. I eventually sought help and, thanks to my family, doctors and, above all else, God, I am in a much better place today. I’m not alone, though. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 40 million U.S. adults have an anxiety disorder. In an effort to help others, and as a form of self-expression and healing, I created a blog to share my feelings about mental health and authenticity and to equip women with tools they can use to find their voices. I’ve also shared my experiences in two books, with a third scheduled to be published this spring. Without Ohio Dominican, I don’t know that I’d be comfortable or willing to share these most personal struggles, but I’m so glad I have. See, while I came to ODU because it was private, had a beautiful campus, and offered small class sizes, its motto, “To contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation,” is what has stuck with me all these years. I am grateful to ODU because it was there that I discovered a love affair with learning, began my journey to question everything, found my purpose in life and learned my place in this world. Visit Achea’s blog at achearedd.com.
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Contemplata – Faculty Perspectives
What makes an ODU education more relevant, important and valuable today than ever before? Jeremy Glazier | Professor of English The last two years have revealed just how critical a liberal arts education is to the healthy functioning of a free and democratic society. Racial injustice, economic disparity, and the spread of disinformation aren’t new problems, but they are urgent ones today. Marketable skills are vital, but at ODU, we help students build those skills on a strong ethical foundation, an ability to distinguish facts from falsehoods, and the desire to be agents of change in our community and our world. Daniel Little, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Chemistry ODU continues to adapt specific courses of study for our rapidly changing world while holding fast to the core, liberal arts education it is known for. Over the past several years, we have developed new programs in “big data” analytics, fast-track graduate degree partnerships with the University of Dayton and Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and scholarship programs that place students into great internships. Our students graduate with both the specific skills and the flexibility of mind they need to succeed. Arlene Ramkissoon, DBA | Assistant Professor of Business Our students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to be a unique type of business leader: leaders who can contemplate truth and focus business decisions that include purpose beyond profit. Students understand the foundations of capitalism—voluntary exchange, entrepreneurship, competition, freedom to trade and the rule of law. They also are equally adept at using elements of conscious capitalism including trust, compassion, collaboration and value creation. Kristall Day, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Education Teachers are tasked with so much more than teaching academic content. For children to be motivated to learn content, we must first make connections with them. This includes building positive relationships, supporting mental health and inspiring children to care about their community. ODU’s teacher preparation program goes beyond basic content. We prepare our teachers to think critically about the complexities of the human experience, which include thinking beyond “the job” and embracing teaching as a spiritual calling. Sonya Goshe, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice It is more important than ever to understand society and human behavior to be an effective communicator, problem solver, and leader in our world. However, we need people with more than mere understanding; we need people with moral courage if we are going to live in a just and peaceful society. At ODU, students pursue knowledge while also deeply considering crucial moral questions: what it means to be human, how to further the common good, how to facilitate justice, and how to study and spread truth. 1216 WINTER 2022
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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS It’s been a busy academic year so far at Ohio Dominican. From new programs and partnerships, to celebrations and events, there was much to celebrate during the fall semester. ODU Celebrates 113th Commencement ODU welcomed 176 new graduates into its alumni family during its 113th Commencement on May 8, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university hosted the ceremony inside Panther Stadium for the first time to provide adequate space and to help ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees. Because the university was forced to cancel its spring 2020 ceremony, members of both the spring 2020 and spring 2021 graduating classes were invited to participate. ODU Professor of Political Science Ronald Carstens, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine are hooded prior to receiving honorary degrees.
Ohio Governor and First Lady Receive Honorary Degrees In recognition of their leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ODU awarded Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine with honorary degrees at a ceremony on Aug. 16, 2021. The ceremony coincided with an event to celebrate and welcome the university’s 10th class of 50 Physician Assistant Studies master’s students. During the event, President Gallaher presented the DeWine’s each with a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa.
Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members
ODU holds its Spring Commencement on May 8 in Panther Stadium, celebrating both the Classes of 2020 and 2021.
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The Board of Trustees approved the addition of three new members during its fall meeting on Sept. 24, 2021, representing a range of backgrounds. The new members include Maureen Njeama, ODU junior Biology major from Tanzania; Jim Matesich, CEO of Matesich Distributing Co. in Newark, Ohio; and Meri Armour, former president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Career Achievements, Conference and National Recognition Headline Fall Athletics Season
ODU’s newest Honors students join together for a photo during fall semester.
32 Students Join Honors Program The university welcomed 32 students into its Honors Program this past fall, including 24 new first-year students, five transfer students and three existing students. They joined 65 returning Honors students for a total of 97 participants during the 2021-22 academic year. This year’s entering group achieved a median high school GPA of 3.984. Professor of Psychology John Marazita, Ph.D. serves as director of the Honors Program.
ODU Approves Tuition Freeze for 2022-23 In response to the continued COVID-19 health crisis and the significant economic impact of the pandemic, ODU will freeze its tuition and room rates for the 2022-23 academic year. The move was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 3, 2021. Tuition for students in ODU’s undergraduate, adult and continuing education, and the majority of those in its graduate programs will remain at the current rate, while board rates will increase by 2%.
New Partnerships Create Pathways to Nursing Careers Amid a nationwide nursing shortage, Ohio Dominican is proud to partner with two distinguished programs to create pathways for students to pursue careers in the nursing field. In addition to a successful partnership sparked by ODU’s valued relationship with the Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN), the university established a partnership with Xavier University in fall 2021 that gives students an opportunity to apply for a select number of guaranteed seats into XU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program upon the completion of their bachelor’s degree. Students may attend XU’s locations in Columbus, Cincinnati or Cleveland. Learn more about ODU’s partnerships with MCCN and XU at ohiodominican.edu/Nursing.
Ohio Dominican’s athletic teams found continued success this past fall. The men’s soccer team qualified for its second NCAA Division II national tournament and tied its highest national ranking of #14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The women’s soccer team made its fifth G-MAC tournament appearance. The volleyball team enjoyed its second straight winning season and earned its first postseason victory of the Division II era. The men’s and women’s golf teams combined for six individual and three team championships, and Robert Holden ’22 (pictured below) became the first player in program history to earn a spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Prior to the start of the fall season, the men’s team had the most Academic All-American performers in the country with 11 and the women’s team achieved the fifth highest cumulative GPA in Division II with a 3.87. The Panther football program finished the season 7-4, marking its 11th straight winning season. Evan Ernst ’20, ’22 was named the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for his performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Dauson Dales ’20 was named G-MAC Player of the Year, the first defensive player ever to receive the honor.
ODU’s Ongoing Response to the Pandemic The university continues to take steps in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of all who live, learn and work at ODU. In addition to imposing an indoor mask mandate this past fall semester, ODU announced a campuswide vaccine mandate that will take effect this spring semester. Learn more about the university’s ongoing response to the pandemic at ohiodominican.edu/ODURising.
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Class Notes News Bill and Mary (Bridge) Byrley ’71 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in summer 2021. Mary is the Mother of Karen Tabor Stivers ’00. Marcia Sweigart Russo ’71 has been active as the Secretary of Board of the Thomasena Stokes Marshall Senior Center Association in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina since her retirement. She also is an active member of the Ventura Villas Landscape Committee, helping to maintain and improve the natural beauty of its community through environmentally conscientious activities and plantings. Lance Clarke ’76 retired after 44 years of teaching in the Diocese of Columbus. He taught 23 years at Our Lady of Peace and the last 21 at Bishop Watterson High School. He was the Department Chair of Social Studies at his time of retirement. David Logsdon ’78, Double Dominican and husband of the late Janice (Horton) Logsdon ’74 retired as chairman of Wayne Homes after 35 years. He began his career as president of Wayne Homes Bowling Green and retired after expanding the company into all of Ohio’s surrounding states and building over 15,000 custom on-your-lot homes. David Massey ’78 is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker who recently produced and directed a new short film, “Passage.” Dr. Tiffany McKillip Franks ’86 was appointed as a new board member for Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia in August 2021. Nancy Collander ’93 was awarded first place in the Westerville Public Library’s “Celebrate the Arts Writing Contest” for her story, “Foul Watch,” in May 2021. Achea Redd ’02 served as the keynote speaker for Ohio Dominican University’s Convocation on August 19, 2021. Mary Filice, Ph.D. ’04 retired from ODU as the Director of the Master of Arts in Theology Program on June 30, 2021. Matthew Welsh ’06 (MBA) was hired as the new athletic director for the Madison-Plains Local School District in London, Ohio on June 15, 2021. Mary George-Whittle ’06 serves as a chaplain and recently published a book, “Skirting the Thin Veil: Meaningful Stories From Life-Changing Events,” which provides a greater understanding of the ministry of chaplaincy and is a collection of personal and professional stories experienced in her life. Her stories reveal many meaningful insights and wisdom gained from supporting people during trauma, death, aging and other life-changing events. Jared Ball ’07 became the new principal of Watkins Memorial Middle School in Pataskala, Ohio in August 2021. Georganna Price ’07 received a Doctorate of Health Administration from Franklin University in April 2021.
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Jared Franklin ’09 was welcomed as the head coach of the inaugural baseball program beginning in 2022-2023 for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri. Kayla Crozier Miller ’09 is a teacher in the Ridgewood Local School District and owner of Mint Ivy Boutique in West Lafayette, Indiana. She started Minty Ivy in 2017 as a strictly online business out of her home. In December 2019, she opened the boutique, which offers a wide selection of clothing and more. Edouard Wemy ’09 serves as an assistant professor of economics at Clark University. He is an active member of the American Economic Association and a fellow of the Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics (DITE)—a National Science Foundation-funded program aimed at increasing the representation of minorities in the economics field. Joshua (Josh) Stutz ’10 became the first executive director of the Friends of James River Park in Richmond, Virginia in June 2021. The organization provides ongoing support for conservation, enhancement, and recreational enjoyment of the James River Park, while protecting its natural and historic environments. Kayla Walton Elrich ’11 was named principal of the St. Mary School in Lancaster, Ohio in July 2021. Derek Longmeier ’11 (MBA) was elected as an Affiliate Seat to the National Council on Problem Gambling Board of Directors in May 2021. Germaine McAlpine ’11/’12 appeared on FOX28’s Good Day Columbus on May 25, 2021. Germaine is the chief operating officer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio and he appeared on the show to discuss its Summer of Success program. Greg Elliott ’13 (MBA) was named as a new Sunbury, Ohio Village Councilman on May 19, 2021. Alison Baker ’17 was promoted to Philanthropy Officer, Stewardship for the Mount Carmel Health System Foundation in March 2021. Amina Bleen ’17 started as a business analyst at Quantum Health in February 2021. Kayla Statema ’17 was named Account Executive for PALO Creative in February 2021. Hannah Luft ’21 attended Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee in fall 2021 to start her journey to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Weddings Aaron Arnold ’18 and wife, Jenna Irwin, were married in Findlay, Ohio on September 25, 2021.
New Arrivals
Edward Beardshear ’75, May 15, 2021
Jeff Lyons ’12 and Allison Grant Lyons ’10 celebrated the birth of their son, Lee Grant, on April 15, 2021.
Dr. Anthony Umolu, M.D. ’75, June 21, 2021
Chuck Sylvis and Allison Collins Sylvis ’10 celebrated the birth of their daughter, Savanna Brooke, on February 26, 2021. Christopher (Chris) Liebold ’14 and Erin Messerly Liebold ’15 celebrated the birth of their son, Luke Christopher, on March 25, 2021.
Sheila Jan Payne Harris ’79, October 19, 2021 Wilbert D. Neal ’81, May 10, 2021 Patrick M. Gleich ’84, August 11, 2021 Carolyn S. Berger ’91, September 24, 2021
Clayton Hildebrand ’17 and Alexis (Haynes) Hildebrand ’17 celebrated the birth of their son, Briar John, on July 29, 2021.
Carmen D. Dandridge ’93, April 14, 2021
In Memoriam
Dudley (Tri) Hadden, III ’12 (MED), July 11, 2021
Ann DeCain Blackham ’49, July 25, 2021
Otto Beatty ’13 (Honorary Degree), May 14, 2021
Patricia Radican Ford ’52, March 3, 2021
Antwan L. Steward ’14, August 2, 2021
Barbara Stark Herlihy ’52, July 10, 2021
Jason Morgan ’16, September 25, 2021
Margaret (Peggy) Mathy Jaros ’52, March 12, 2021
DeWayne Ackerman ’17, March 24, 2021
Sr. Joan Ford, OP ’53, October 15, 2021
Paul D. Hill, III ’20, April 12, 2021
Phyllis Joseph ’53, February 23, 2021
Emmily Boyer (Non-Grad), September 22, 2021
Patricia Guenther Nold ’53, August 4, 2021
Joseph L. Garland (Non-Grad), July 20, 2021
Ann Magers McGlinn ’54, August 8, 2021
Joshua L. Laston (Non-Grad), June 21, 2021
Fredina (Dina) Williams Eskridge ’05, September 28, 2021
Catherine Streb Rafalowski ’54, July 11, 2021 Marilyn Obermeyer Walsh ’54, August 13, 2021
Friends and Family
Sr. Raymunda Brooks, OP ’56, August 12, 2021
James Blauser, Husband of Ruth Blauser (Former ODU Staff ), June 17, 2021
Julia Albers Brown ’56, May 12, 2021 Jacqueline (Jackie) Sweeney Gundling ’56, May 14, 2021
Mark Feinknopf (FR), Father of Brad Feinknopf and Kim Dorrian, August 28, 2021
Nan Nist Kelly ’57, March 5, 2021
Gloria Jean Jackson, Sister of Gilda Jackson ’75, August 1, 2021
Sr. Adrienne Colson, OP ’58, October 12, 2021
John C. Mahaney, Jr., July 1, 2021
Sr. Mary Jo Fox, OP ’58, September 19, 2021
Elizabeth (Betsy) Postlewaite Mason, Daughter of Margaret Chapman Postlewaite ’40, Mother of James Mason ’02, Mother-in-Law of Shanele Kauk Mason ’02, February 28, 2021
Sr. Mary Faith Reaney, OP ’58, February 24, 2021 Mercedes Rodgers Iannone ’60, April 1, 2021 Rebecca Helbling Holderman ’62, October 15, 2021 Jacqueline Hoover ’62, December 23, 2020 Sr. Marie Joseph Porrello ’63, OP, June 21, 2021 Betsy Bernert Van Heyde ’63, June 14, 2021 Mary Mackin Bourke ’64, July 27, 2021 Sr. Janice McLaughlin, MM ’64, March 7, 2021 Patricia Smith Wood ’64, March 1, 2021 Judith Nozling ’66, March 5, 2021 Patricia Ferguson Brady ’69, March 10, 2021 Janice Holtschulte ’69, July 29, 2021 Karen Casias ’70, September 1, 2021 Sr. Joan Popovitz ’70, September 26, 2021 Janet L. Herbert ’74, August 27, 2021
Mary Alice “Mimi” Millisor, Mother of Fr. Daniel (Dan) Millisor ’81, June 19, 2021 David Lee Fisher Sandusky, Husband of Tim Sandusky (ODU Staff ), September 14, 2021 Martha Jane Starner, Mother of Joel Brubaker ’91, April 13, 2021 Algirdas (Al) Vasiliauskas (Former ODU Staff ), Father of Regina (Reggie) Vasiliauskas Sharpe ’68, June 11, 2021 Rebecca E. Gill, Daughter of Patricia Logsdon Gill ’70, April 3, 2019
Keep up with your classmates! Access our most recent Class Notes as featured in ODU’s monthly alumni e-newsletter, the ODU Insider, at ohiodominican.edu/Insider. Not receiving the newsletter? Update your information at ohiodominican.edu/AlumniUpdate.
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Student Point of View
Partnerships Create Opportunities and Complement an ODU Education By Ashley Comstock ’22, B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing Communications
My time as a student at Ohio Dominican has turned out to be so much more than I ever could have imagined. As a freshman, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go in life. However, just a few years later, as a senior, my path ahead couldn’t be more clear and exciting. I can vividly recall a conversation I had with my Spanish professor during my first year when he found out I had yet to choose a major. He remarked how polished my communication skills were and that he could see me studying Public Relations and Marketing Communications. Before I knew it, I was meeting with the program director who helped me realize that program was indeed a perfect match.
My classes challenged, stretched and energized me. I loved every minute of it. Before long, I began searching for internships that would allow me to get some “real-world” experience. ODU’s Career Development Center let me know of a partnership between ODU and White Castle that created internship opportunities for students at its new headquarters in downtown Columbus. With their help, advice and coaching, I was selected to be one of 10 students from ODU to intern at White Castle this past fall. This internship was a huge blessing. It not only allowed me to work alongside some of the kindest and most passionate professionals I’ve ever met, it also introduced me to life in marketing at a major family owned company. From meeting regularly with their brand manager to learning the ins and outs of running corporate social media accounts, I soaked in every minute of it. As amazing as my experience at White Castle was, I know none of it would have been possible if not for Ohio Dominican. At ODU, I found my niche, discovered my passion and learned how to use both to grow as a person, student and professional. I am extremely grateful for the support, guidance and care that I’ve received inside and outside of the classroom because it’s helped to make me who I am today.
Ashley Comstock ’22 in front of the throne in White Castle’s new headquarters in downtown Columbus, where she completed an internship last fall.
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President Gallaher, ODU Trustee John Kelley ’05 and White Castle Leadership Team members, ODU staff and student interns during a special visit and tour on Oct. 6.
Why We Give to ODU experiences at Ohio Dominican helped us discover the “Our importance of finding our gift and the greater purpose of
sharing it. As we pursued our entrepreneurial interests, it became clear Nothing Bundt Cakes is much more than a bakery; its higher purpose is to promote celebration and bring joy to others. Leaning on the Dominican motto, we give to our alma mater and communities because, just like our time at Ohio Dominican, the impact is sweet and fulfilling!
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Jay ’96, Bachelor of Arts in Business, and Amy ’95 DeLuca, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Owners of six Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries in Ohio and Tennessee
Jay and Amy DeLuca are proud Double Dominicans who support Ohio Dominican in numerous ways. The DeLucas donate countless sweets to ODU from their Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries every year, give generously to support various university initiatives, provide new alumni with career opportunities, and share their expertise and entrepreneurial spirit with members of the university community through participation on an advisory board for ODU’s new Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Support ODU. Make a gift today. Visit ohiodominican.edu/Give or complete and return the enclosed pledge card.
1216 Sunbury Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 Return Service Requested
