The Faculty-Student Connection
Professor Lovejoy Guided, Ecouraged, Inspired
Shannon Back ’16, Jenny Hill ’05 and Gina Calcamuggio contributed to this story.
Relationships between Otterbein professors and their students are among the most powerful Otterbein connections we share. We remember the mentor who saw more in us than we imagined possible or the professor who helped us understand a truth that guides us to this day. When you value community like Otterbein people do — you feel compelled to honor that impact in a way that has meaning. This new Towers series will celebrate the many alumni who choose to honor faculty and other mentors who stood out during their education. “Albert Lovejoy made a significant impact on his students. He loved to help students succeed and students could rely on him always. He had a firm belief in looking at everything from a global perspective and the importance of making the world a better place,” remembers Carol Ventresca ’76. As a sociology and psychology double major, Ventresca took classes from Lovejoy each of her four years on campus, but her admiration for him extended well beyond her years at Otterbein. “Professor Lovejoy was the sweetest man you’ve ever met,” said Ventresca who first met the sociology professor and chair in 1972. She remembers how much he inspired many of his students with his enthusiasm in the classroom and passion for sociology. When Ventresca turned to Lovejoy for guidance as her graduation neared, he encouraged her to continue her education and helped her get into a graduate program at The Ohio State University. She earned her doctorate degree in sociology and business in 1981. Ventresca stayed in touch with Lovejoy and began to discuss the establishment of an award for Otterbein
Carol Ventresca ’76, Professor Albert Lovejoy ’H87, Eunice Lovejoy and Carol’s cousin, Elaine Logsdon. sociology students in his name. She led the charge, with the help of then new sociology chair, Eva Sebo, and fellow alumni. The Albert E. Lovejoy Award in Sociology was first awarded in 1988, after Lovejoy retired having shared 31 years of devoted service to Otterbein and its students. Lovejoy was able to see his namesake award assist a decade of students before he died in 2009. The 2015 recipients of the Albert E. Lovejoy Award in Sociology, Thomas Gillotte Sr. ’16 and Brenna Helm ’17, say the scholarship is not only motivational — it models the care and responsibility of those students who come before them. “Winning the award really motivated me to step up as a member of the Otterbein community as well as within the department itself,” said Helm. “Awards like this one really put it into perspective that alumni care about the students following in their footsteps.” “I find value in being recognized by the professors in the department as an individual that is committed to my education and as someone who sets an example of leadership to my peers,” said Gillotte.
“Being a non-traditional student — meaning that I am an adult in my 40s with a family and I decided to pursue my education — this award was very reassuring to me that I made the right decision to attend Otterbein,” he added. Ventresca is glad to see the award’s impact on both recipients and Lovejoy’s legacy. “This prize is a great way to thank Albert Lovejoy and keep his beliefs moving for students. He always hoped students would use what they had learned to make the world a better place, and we hope this prize can help accomplish that.” •
O tte r b e in To w e r s | Early Summer 2015 |
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