SPRING 2009

High school students access college through Stark State dual enrollmentprograms(See page 6)

A publication of Stark State College of Technology for alumni, friends of the College and the community

President’s Messageby John O’Donnell, Ph.D., President, Stark State College

As one of the nation’s leading two-year colleges, Stark StateCollege is strongly positioned to play a major role in meeting thechallenges and goals established in Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2008-2017 that calls for:

> graduating more students, and> keeping more of our graduates in Ohio.

Both Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut acknowledge that the future of Ohio is in a well-educated workforce. Reaching out to the University System of Ohio to fulfill those goals, the Governor remains committed to his investment in higher education, despite unprecedented financial deficits facing the state.

Two-year colleges will play a significant role in meeting the state’s goals. Stark State College will be among those leading the charge with a multitude of educational options that will

> excite high school students to earn college credit while pursuing their high school diplomas.

> encourage out-of-work adults to retrain to meet the demands of a changing, global economy.

> develop programs to attract a diverse group of students, first-generation students, and those who don’t view college as an option.

> make education more convenient through Satellite Centers and off-campus course sites.

In this issue, and in future issues of the Stark State Review, you will read aboutmany of these initiatives. One of the most exciting is the large number of high school students who are earning college credits through a variety of outreach programs such as, Dual Enrollment, Seniors to Sophomores, Post Secondary Education Option, and Early College High School (ECHS), the first class of which will graduate in the May.

The goals Gov. Strickland and Chancellor Fingerhut have set forth are challenging. In partnership with our many community stakeholders, and with our educational partners in the University System of Ohio, Stark State College will strive to meet these challenges to ensure the economic future of Ohio and its residents.

Stark State College is committed to equal opportunity for all anddoes not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry,

national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran’s status.

STARK STATE REVIEW

The Stark State Review is published for alumni, friends of the College and the community. Story ideas and articles are welcome from alumni, staff, faculty, administrators and friends of the College. Please send your correspondence to

Stark State Review, 6200 Frank Ave., N.W., N. Canton, OH 44720.

AdministrationJohn O’Donnell, Ph.D., President

Thomas A. ChiappiniVice President for Business and Finance

Dorey Diab, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic OfficerPara M. Jones, Ph.D., Vice President for

Advancement, Planning, and College/Community RelationsJohn J. Kurtz, Vice President for Information Technology

Cheryl Rice, Vice President forStudent Services and Enrollment Management

Board of TrusteesChristopher J. Maurer, Chairman

Michael Thomas, D.D.S., Vice ChairmanJeffrey A. Halm

Penny Sherrod-CampanizziTony Townsend

Fonda P. Williams IIIKelly A. Zachary

2008-09 Foundation Board of DirectorsPaul Feaser, President

Larry Smerglia, Vice PresidentGrace Wakulchik, SecretaryJeffery Walters, Treasurer

Hortense BobbittDonald ColanerSally EfremoffMonica GwinJeffrey Halm

Lynn HamiltonAlexander Hays IVRandall Kreinbrink

William LaveryGeorge Lemon

William Luntz, EmeritusJohn McGrath, Ed.D.

Nancy McPeekJohn O’Donnell, Ph.D.

Timothy PutmanAhmed Sabe, M.D.

Mary Jo Shannon SlickShari Shiepis

William StrohmengerThomas StroublePatricia Wackerly

Frank Weinstock, M.D., EmeritusCharles WestRonald Wilkof Frank Wittman

Alumni Advisory Council MembersJohn Fetty ’92

Randall Kreinbrink ’81George Lemon ’65Mark Martin ’92

Ronald Revlock ’82Mary Beth Reynolds ’74

Phillip Rohr ’83Lucinda Stone ’01Steve Yoder ’95

Jayne Sterner ’96, Staff Advisor

EditorIrene Lewis Motts

Director of Marketing and Communications

Graphic Design/PhotographyBeth Klein, Graphic Designer

On the coverDual enrollment programs are leading

high school students to Stark State College.Read more on pages 6 and 7.

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Two new members appointed to Stark State’s Boardof TrusteesOhio Gov. Ted Strickland has named Tony Townsend and Kelly A. Zachary to the Stark State College seven-member Board of Trustees.

Townsend currently serves as the administrator of theHope Academy charter schoolin Canton. He is a member of Massillon City Council, the Massillon YMCA BlackAchievers Steering Committee,the Massillon branch of theNAACP, and the Stark CountyMinority Business Association.

He earned his bachelor’s in social work from theUniversity of Akron and is currently working on amaster’s degree in education administration atLiberty University. A resident of Massillon, he andhis wife Ester are the parents of two teenagers.

Zachary is employed at theStark Area Regional TransitAuthority (SARTA) as a humanresources and safety manager,overseeing the recruitment andemployment of over 200 unionand administrative employees.She represented Canton’sfourth ward as a Canton councilperson for two terms

and received the Unsung Heroes award from theOrder of Eastern Stars, St. Mary’s Grand Chapter, for her support and services in that role. Zacharygraduated cum laude from Walsh University with a bachelor of arts in business and received her MBA from Ashland University specializing in humanresource management. She is involved in manycommunity and professional organizations, receivedthe Stark County Black Caucus Award in 2007, andcurrently serves as vice chair of the Stark CountyCommunity Action Agency Board. She lives inCanton with her husband Gerald.

Other Board members include: Christopher J.Maurer, Board chair, executive vice president ofhuman resources, FirstMerit Corporation; MichaelThomas, DDS, Board vice chair, Thomas andAssociates; Jeffrey A. Halm, managing partner ofBuckingham Doolittle and Burroughs, LLP; PennySherrod-Campanizzi, director of power systems andbusiness development, The Babcock and Wilcox Co,and Fonda P. Williams III, executive vice presidentof sales and marketing, Group Midwest, Inc.

Stark State College Receives $10.7 Million in Grants in 2008

The Stark State Office of Strategic Grant Development, under the direction ofDirector Rebecca Priest, secured more than $10.7 million in grant funding in 2008 to support the College’s strategic goals and address community needs.

“Grants enable the College to leverage public and private resources to serve the needs of students and the community,” said Dr. Para Jones, vice president ofadvancement, planning and college relations. “They deliver resources to help theCollege achieve its mission and vision of providing college access, which leads to economic prosperity for students and the community.”

More than $6 million is expanding the College’s involvement in fuel cell technology,including a $787,200 Department of Energy (DOE) grant for students to work withLockheed Martin in building and monitoring test beds to evaluate component partsused in fuel cell systems. A State of Ohio Third Frontier grant of $3 million will expandthe College’s Fuel Cell Prototyping Center to facilitate the commercialization of fuel cellproducts being developed by Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc. (RRFCS), whichoccupies the Center. The project also will provide space in the Center for a dedicatedfuel cell laboratory for the College’s fuel cell education program as well as renovatespace in Stark State’s Advanced Technology Center for fuel cell research and develop-ment by Contained Energy, Inc. In addition, a Third Frontier grant of $837,626 will provide capital for another project with RRFCS.

Also in 2008, the College launched its $2 million U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)Community-Based Job Training Grant project, Expanding Capacity in HealthcareOccupations (ECHO), in conjunction with 21 partners from a four-county area. That project is focused on responding to current and future shortages in health care personnel.

The College is significantly expanding its services for students with disabilitiesthrough a $938,967 Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission grant. In addition, nearly $1 million in Choose Ohio First scholarships and partnerships with three universities in the region will enable Stark State students to begin and completedegrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

A D V A N C E M E N T N E W S • A D V A N C E M E N T N E W S

About the Stark State College Foundation - The Stark State College Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed in 1986 to seek, receive, manage and distribute funds, equipment, property and other contributions for the benefit of the students and programs of Stark State College. The Foundation plays a crucial role in helping the College provide excellent educational services to the Greater Stark County community.

Stark State College has become a national leader in fuel cell education as a result ofstrategic partnerships with business and industry, the State of Ohio and federal agencies.The outcome is that $13.4 million in grants has been generated over the past five yearsto develop fuel cell curricula, support industry research and development, and preparetechnicians for the emerging field. Stark State’s Fuel Cell Prototyping Center, whichopened in 2007, is the North American headquarters of Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), Inc.

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Enrollment growth at Stark State College set new records for fall and spring semesters, withincreases of 10.3% and 15%, respectively. Official headcount for spring semester is 9625 creditstudents compared to 8364 credit students last spring semester.

The College has sustained double-digit growth since 2003 and expects to exceed the milestoneof 10,000 students in fall semester 2009. Community outreach has played a significant role inStark State’s enrollment growth.

“Stark State’s enrollment growth aligns directly with Ohio public policy,” said Stark StatePresident John O’Donnell, Ph.D, citing Ohio’s 10-Year Strategic Plan for Higher Educationand its goal of educating more Ohioans. “Offering convenient,

affordable accessto all Ohioans,along with transferopportunities fromcommunity and technical colleges touniversities, will bethe basis for meetingGov. Strickland’s goal of raising educationalattainment in Ohio.”

Providing more learning options, convenience and flexibility for students through e-learning, satellite centers and dual enrollment programs(see pages 6 and 7) are important factors impacting the College’s growingenrollment, according to Cheryl Rice, vice president of student services andenrollment management. “Our students have busy lifestyles, juggling work andfamily responsibilities, and these alternative modes of delivery are perfect forthem,” Rice explained.

Enrollment in online classes grew by 28% in spring semester alone, drawing students from 13 states. Over 200 online courses are offered along with complete online associate degree programs in computer science and engineering technology, computer programming and database, information reporting technology, Web design and development, and a one-year bookkeeping certificate.

Community outreach leads to

college accessand growing

enrollment

A R O U N D C A M P U S • A R O U N D C A M P U S

The College continues to see growth in its satellite centers, with nearly 700 studentsenrolled in the Downtown Canton SatelliteCenter located on the Timken Campus andover 350 students at the Alliance SatelliteCenter at 1237 State Street.

“Our affordable tuition isanother drawing card duringthese difficult economictimes,” said Tom Chiappini,vice president for businessand finance. Stark State’stuition remains frozen at$127 per semester hourfor the third consecutiveyear.

“Four new buildingswith over 110,000 sq.ft. have been added in the past three yearsto accommodate theCollege’s rapidgrowth,” Chiappinisaid, “and a new49,000 sq. ft.

health sciences building will open this summer in response to the community’s growing need for educated healthcare workers.” Nearly 40% of all Stark Statestudents are enrolled in health technologies or pre-health programs.

Also driving the College’s sustained highenrollment growth are new majors in emergingtechnologies, such as biotechnology, defensemetals, fuel cells, homeland security and cybersecurity/computer forensics. The College worksclosely with the new Defense Metals Centerand the Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell PrototypingCenter, both headquartered on campus, todevelop learning opportunities for students.

“High-quality associate and

bachelor’s programs in core fields

will be made available at a University

System of Ohio campus within

30 miles of every Ohioan.”— Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2008-2017

Satellite Campuses and Off-Campus Locations

[ ]Witnessing history on the National Mall

Stark State Alumnus Priscilla Goolsby, ’08, was shocked to learn that her request for tickets to attend the inauguration of our nation’s first African-American President Barack Obama,

had been granted. With only one week’snotice, she invited her sister, DeborahMcHenry from Indiana, to meet her inWashington. They were about to witness history!

On January 19, she picked up her inauguralpacket that included her invitation “request-ing my presence by the Joint CongressionalCommittee on Inaugural Ceremonies,” saidGoolsby. The packet also included photos ofthe 44th President of the United States andthe Vice President, the inaugural ceremoniesprogram and two purple tickets designatingthe section of the National Mall where hertickets were valid.

With the excitement building, on January20, the two sisters began their walk alongthe streets of Washington. Those streetswere flooded with people from all walks oflife, about 1.5 million, all making their wayto their designated sections, color-coded by ticket.

As they arrived at the purple section, they were disappointed to learn that thepurple gate had been closed to over 4,000individuals due to security reasons; too many tickets were issued for that section.Although Goolsby and her sister were unableto enter the purple section, they bothremained positive and enthusiastic, enjoyingthe atmosphere, and the historic nature ofthe day.

“I will never forget the excitement, theoneness that was felt by all, the joy of beingat a presidential inauguration and the loveof a nation on January 20, 2009. And I’mgrateful to have the purple ticket as amemento, “Goolsby said. “This was an experience of a lifetime.”

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A R O U N D C A M P U S • A R O U N D C A M P U S

Diab, Rice named to leadership positionsProvost and Chief Academic Officer

Dorey Diab, Ph.D, has returned to Stark State College as provost and chief academic officer, after a two-year stint as vice president for academic affairs at Rhodes State College

in Lima, OH. Prior to that, Diab had been with Stark State for 14 years in a variety of academic and administrative positions.

As provost, Diab will provide leadership and strategic vision to all academic functions of the College, including the learning support services necessary to assure that the diverse populations of the college achieve student success. Diabalso will collaborate with business, industry, and community agencies to assure that the current and future workforce needs of the region are addressed by Collegeprogramming.

Diab currently chairs the Ohio Council of Chief Academic Officers of Two-YearColleges and recently spearheaded the proposal by Ohio’s technical colleges to offer the associate of arts and associate of science degrees.

At Stark State College from 1992-2006, Diab served as director of emerging technologies from2004-2006. He was an associate professor and department chair of engineering technologiesfrom 1998-2004 with responsibility for the civil, design, mechanical, environmental, electrical,electrical maintenance and electronic technologies. He also taught engineering from 1992-1995.

Diab earned his associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College and his bachelor’s andmaster’s in civil engineering from Cleveland State University. He earned his master’s in businessadministration from Kent State and his Ph.D in education studies-leadership in higher educationfrom University of Nebraska.

He is a graduate of Leadership Stark County and past chair of the Project Rebuild Board of Trustees. Diab, his wife Christine, and their family reside in Massillon.

Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management

Cheryl A. Rice is Stark State’s new vice president of student services and enrollment management with responsibility for the leadership and management of student service areas

such as admissions, student recruitment, financial aid, registration, disability services, academic advising and orientation, multicultural student affairs and careerservices. Rice served as interim vice president in that position since August 2008.

Her responsibilities also encompass strategic enrollment management, whichincludes enrollment growth, and the planning and implementation of strategies tomaximize student success at the College, which has more than doubled its creditenrollment in the past eight years, surpassing 9300 students in fall 2008.

“Stark State has experienced tremendous growth and our goal is to ensure thatservice needs of our diverse student body are supported,” said Rice. “I look forward

to working with faculty and staff to meet the needs of key stakeholders across the College andin the community.”

Rice, who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on CommunityCollege Leadership, also serves as Executive Director of the Ohio Skills Bank – Region 9, a state-wide initiative that provides an analysis of qualified workers to meet the state’s employment needs.

Rice earned her MBA from Oklahoma City University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. She has served as an instructor, associate professor and programs coordinator in the marketing and management technologies department of the College’s business technologies division since 2000. She is past president of Stark State’s Faculty Association and serves on the College’s accreditation team, the strategic planning committee and various other governance committees

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M A I N F E A T U R E • M A I N F E A T U R E • M A I N F E A T U R E •

Imagine attending high school and earning college credit

at the same time. That’s the case for over 1,000 area

high school students who are enrolled in several

Stark State College programs designed to put

them well on their way to earning a college degree.

Dual enrollmenteases transition to college

Dual Enrollment, Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO),

Early College High School (ECHS) and Ohio’s newest program,

Seniors to Sophomores, all go a long way toward improving the

college-going rate in Ohio. Programs such as these often pave

the way for positive outcomes on such measures as high

school graduation and college enrollment rates, college grade

point averages and progress toward college completion.

“These programs directly relate to Ohio’s strategic plan for

higher education by making college more affordable and acces-

sible for good students who one day will graduate, live, and

work in Ohio, and help contribute to Ohio’s economic growth,”

said John O’Donnell, president of Stark State College.

Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor

Eric Fingerhut have challenged Ohio’s colleges and universities

to increase enrollment by 230,000 students in the next decade.

This challenge is part of the University System of Ohio’s

Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2008-2017 to graduate an

additional 100,000 students with the goals of:

> raising the educational level of Ohioans, and> keeping more of Ohio’s graduates in Ohio

“These dual enrollment programs are a great start to

laying the foundation for more college graduates in Ohio,”

said Dennis Trenger, executive director of academic outreach

for Stark State College. “The high school students in these

programs are excited about learning. They’re engaged in the

learning process. In most cases, the transition to college and

to earning their degrees is seamless.”

“Stark State College of Technology should

take great pride in its leadership with college

access as the first class of Early College High

School prepares to graduate this year. In a

county with low educational attainment, the

notion that first-generation and often minority

students can do college work is a huge step

forward and long term will change the culture

of Stark County. Growing this notion with

PSEO, dual enrollment Tech Prep and the

satellite campuses deserves further praise.”

— Dr. Adrienne O’Neill, PresidentStark Education Partnership

[ ]The students shown in this photo are among the first to graduatefrom Early College High School this May (2009). Some of the students will graduate with an associate degree as they receive their high school diplomas; others will graduate from high schoolwith significant college credit, enabling them to continue on for an associate and/or bachelor’s degree.

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M A I N F E A T U R E • M A I N F E A T U R E • M A I N F E A T U R E

Dual EnrollmentDual Enrollment allows students to take

classes at their respective high schools usingcollege textbooks and curriculum taught byhigh school teachers who are credentialed forcollege adjunct teaching status. Learning support services available at high schools encourage a broader population of students to pursue college-level courses. The program is designed to increase the college-going rate.Students, who previously may not have consid-ered college due to academics or finances, canuse dual enrollment to jump-start their collegecareers. The high school faculty are proactivewith the dual-enrollment students, providingthe extra support needed to succeed with thecollege-level courses. Students entering theprogram in their junior year earn 15-24 college credit hours; sophomores earn up to 30 credit hours.

Stark State faculty mentors are assigned tovisit each participating high school class toensure that the required Stark State outcomesand standards are being met. Approximately585 students are dual-enrolled in Stark StateCollege and their respective high schools.Through the proactive efforts of the StarkEducational Service Center, Stark State wasable to prepare one memorandum of under-standing with all Stark County schools, authorizing county-wide participation in dual enrollment.

Seniors to SophomoresOhio’s newest addition to dual enrollment

programs, Seniors to Sophomores, allows qualified high school seniors to study on aUniversity System of Ohio campus, earning atuition-free first year of college, while attend-ing their final year of high school. To qualify,high school students must pass the OhioGraduation Test (sophomore year), successfully complete three years of English, plus AlgebraII or its equivalent, and score college-readyon the college partner’s entrance assessmentexam (COMPASS). Students save the tuitionand all costs associated with the first year of college. Early indications are that a highpercentage of those enrolling are the first intheir families to attend college. Approximately40 students currently attend Stark State aspart of the Seniors to Sophomores program.

“Regardless of the programs students optfor, the good news is that these students will

have earned college credits before graduatingfrom high school,” said Trenger. “This is a positive step for their futures, and for thefuture of Ohio’s educational goals.”

Early College HighSchool (ECHS)

Stark State’s Early College High School(ECHS), in partnership with the StarkEducation Partnership, Inc. and Canton CitySchools, enables a larger number of low-income and first generation college studentsthe opportunity to earn an associate degreewhile completing their high school require-ments. Competitive placement in the programbegins in the eighth grade for students whoplan to attend the Timken Campus or McKinleyHigh School. Accepted students begin ECHS inthe summer preceding their freshman year,taking classes that help prepare them for success, such as College Success Skills andComputer Applications. Classes are team-taught by high school and college faculty at Early College High School and at theDowntown Canton Satellite Center of StarkState, located on the Timken Campus.Students have the opportunity, after fouryears, to graduate with their high schooldiploma and an associate degree. ECHS was started through a grant from KnowledgeWorks Foundation, using funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Approximately 270 students currently are enrolled in Early College High School. The first Early College High School graduating class is expected to graduate in May, with about 40 students receiving an associate degree from Stark State in one of the following tracks:

> pre-health> computer graphics/Web design> electro-mechanical engineering

technology> Ohio college transfer

Post SecondaryEducation Option

Through the Post Secondary EducationOption, high school students have the opportunity to take college classes on collegecampuses to earn transcripted credit inapproved, transferrable courses. This providesstudents with the opportunity to start theircollege transcripts while still in high schooland affords the student seamless transition to college. The program primarily is open tojuniors and seniors; however, some younger students do qualify if they meet publishedprogram requirements.

Dual Enrollment School District Partners | Canton City | Canton Local | East Canton | Fairless Local | Green Local || Lake Local | Plain Local | Sandy Valley | Triway Local | Tuslaw Local | Wayne County Career Center | Wooster City

[ ]“Stark State’s post secondary education program gave

me the opportunity to begin college at 17, while a student at

Minerva High School. I graduated from high school last May and

will graduate from college this May (2009) with an associate

degree in corporate accounting. My Stark State credits will

transfer to Walsh, where I will continue for the bachelor’s degree.

Thanks to Stark State’s full schedule of day and evening

classes, I’ve been able to work full-time in a job related to

my major and to achieve my goal of graduating debt-free.”

— Brandy Thompson

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A R O U N D C A M P U S • A R O U N D C A M P U S

Carrilyn Long,recently named deanof public services, hasserved in a variety ofpositions during her15 years at StarkState, most recentlyas interim dean of thegeneral studies/public

service technologies division and departmentchair of early childhood education. She is agraduate of The Ohio State University with abachelor’s in family relations and humandevelopment, and Case Western ReserveUniversity with a master’s in social serviceadministration. Currently pursuing a doctoratein the administrator leadership for teachingand learning program at Walden University,her focus is on the retention of African-American students in the community college. Long, who also is a graduate of theChair Academy Leadership Institute – Class of2006-2007, was named Stark State Teacher ofthe Year in 2000 and was listed in Who’s WhoAmong America’s Teachers.

Lada Gibson-Shreve.Ph.D, is the new deanof general studies, following 12 years inacademic and admin-istrative positions atStark State. She leadsthe College in theAcademic Quality

Improvement Program (AQIP) accreditationprocess and most recently, served as interimdepartment chair of the social sciences department and the human and social servicesdepartment. She earned her bachelor of business administration and her master’s insociology from Marshall University, and herPh.D. through a joint program with theUniversity of Akron and Kent State University.Gibson-Shreve is a graduate of the ChairAcademy for Academic Leadership andDevelopment, a graduate of Leadership Stark County, and was listed in Who’s WhoAmong American’s Teachers.

Glenda Zink, Ed.D,has been named dean of the businesstechnologies division.She began her StarkState career in 1978,serving most recentlyas interim dean ofthat division. She

held the position of department chair of theaccounting and finance department from2004-2008. She is a graduate of the Universityof Akron where she earned a doctorate of education with a concentration in business, a master’s of technical education, and a bachelor’s in business management. Zinkchaired the e-learning committee and is a certified online instructor. She holds certifi-cates in higher education administration, distributive education, and cooperative education. Zink also is a graduate ofLeadership Stark County and recently wasnamed to their executive board.

Linda Moroskois the new director of e-learning afterserving as interimdirector of the program for severalmonths. She joinedStark State in 2005 as an instructor in

the information technology division and then became an instructional designer in thee-learning department. She previously ownedKeystrokes Computer, a computer firm servingsmall- to medium-sized businesses. Moroskoearned her bachelor of science in accounting,a master’s in educational foundations with an instructional technology focus, and an e-learning certificate from The University of Akron. She is pursuing a doctorate fromWalden University in administrative leadershipfor teaching and learning.

Amy Baker has been named dean of financial aid and registration, overseeing the dailyoperations of theFinancial Aid andRegistration Offices. In her new position,

she will facilitate collaboration between academics and student services to ensure student success. She served as director offinancial aid at Stark State from 2001-2008and at Walsh University from 1997-2001.Baker received her bachelor’s in accountingfrom Mount Union College and her master ofarts in community college management fromAntioch University McGregor. She is immediatepast president of the Ohio Association ofStudent Financial Aid Administrators.

Reneé Lilly is thefirst director of advising and studentengagement and is responsible forstrengthening academic advising and involving students in orienta-

tion. Honored in 2007 with the Stark StateStaff Excellence Award, Lilly received herbachelor’s in education from MarshallUniversity and a master’s in technical education from the University of Akron. A Canton resident, she joined Stark State in 1998 as an admissions counselor after 18 years as a vocational trainer with the Stark County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

[ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

WorthNoting

Stark State College faculty receive advancement-in-rankThe 2008-09 academic year brought advancement-in-rank to 17 Stark State faculty based upon their professional achievements.Advancing from the rank of assistant professor to associate professor: > Nader Abueteen, Canton, civil engineering > Richard Hartmann, Ph.D.,Carrollton, computer networking > Gloria Komer, Canton, marketing and management > Jonathan Mitchell, Canton, accounting and finance > Thomas O’Brien, Wooster, English and communications > Cheryl Rice, North Canton, marketing and management > Dennis Shardell, Strongsville,accounting and finance > Yojana Sharma, Ph.D., North Canton, mathematics and physics > Shari Shepis, Canton, social sciences > Jean Zorko, Canton, science.

Advancing from the rank of instructor to assistant professor: > Enyinda Onunwor, Canton, mathematics and physics > Nichole Oocumma, Uniontown,dental hygiene > Kelly Reinsel, Brewster, medical assisting > Judy Stauder, Malvern, nursing > Beth Williams, Massillon, English > Geoff Wopershall, Lakewood, engineering technology > Michael Zerbe, Alliance, marketing and management.

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A R O U N D C A M P U S • A R O U N D C A M P U S

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]It is rare that The American Health InformationManagement Association’s Foundation of Research andEducation (FORE) awards merit scholarships to multiplestudents at the same college…which makes Stark State even prouder of sophomores Denise Blogna,Bruna Weber and Denise Sturgeon. The health information management students received three of 90 FORE scholarships awarded nationally for the 2008-09academic year. The students competed in a highly competitive selection process among 165 qualified student applicants. Scholarship recipients were selectedbased upon their academic achievements and commit-ment to the health information management field.J For the eighth time in the past 11 years, Stark State’s student chapter of the Institute of ManagementAccountants (IMA) has been named IMA’s “OutstandingTwo-Year College Chapter in the Nation”. The chapter received a trophy and a $1,000 cash award designated for student scholarships at Stark State.Students who contributed significantly to achieving theaward are: President Becky Kuzmik, Co-PresidentVerniece Fawcett, Secretary Jennifer Clapp, Directorof Catering and Community Services Claudette Monea,and Director of Fundraising Sharol Showalter. Theannual competition honors student chapters from acrossthe U.S. for their efforts in promoting managementaccounting and financial management as professionsand careers. J Stark State students Carol Kirkpatrickand Stefanie Cantrell were named to the All-OhioAcademic Team, achieving third team honors. Eachreceived a $100 cash scholarship, an All-Ohio medallionand a certificate. Kirkpatrick is a business managementmajor and Cantrell is majoring in medical laboratorytechnology. Students are nominated by their college and must have a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average. Selections are based on academic performance,demonstration of leadership and community serviceinvolvement. The program is sponsored by the OhioAssociation of Community Colleges (OACC), Phi ThetaKappa International Honor Society, Honda of AmericaMfg., Inc. and the KnowledgeWorks Foundation.J Jill McDonald, a sophomore in the associate degreenursing program, is one of 400 recipients recognizednationwide who received a $1000 scholarship from theCoca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program forthe 2008-09 academic year. Recipients of the scholarshipare nominated by their colleges, must be active in community service and maintain a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average. J Kudos to all thesedeserving students, their faculty and advisors!

Distinguished faculty and staff honored by peers

2008 Distinguished Teacher Award

Yojana V. Sharma, Ph.D., department chair/associate professor of mathematics and physics, received the 2008 Distinguished Teacher Award and the honor of delivering the commencement address to the December 2008 graduating class. Her message to the graduates was “Follow Your Passion, Follow Your Dream.” Sharma, a resident of Jackson Township, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the

University of Delhi, India, and a doctorate in mathematical physics from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi. She did post-doctoral research in collaboration with ArgonneNational Laboratory in Chicago. A Stark State faculty member since 1983, she is a member of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges and the American Association of Physics Teachers.

2008 Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award

Jackson Township resident Frank Alexander received the 2008 Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award. A graduate of the University of Findlay, he majored in business administration and minored in secondary education. He has been an adjunct instructor in the business technologies division at Stark State since 2002. He also is an adjunct faculty member of the Diebold Business Improvement

System and is the program developer for the “Voice of Diebold” Business Literacy Module.Currently, Alexander serves as the director of executive briefing programs at the Diebold Global Solutions Center.

2008 Staff Excellence Award

Rebecca Priest, director of strategic grant development, has primary responsibility for all the College’s grant activities and works closely with faculty and staff to develop the grant proposals. A Jackson Township resident, she has been with Stark State since 1983 and has served on Stark State’s Emerging Technologies Task Force and the Fuel Cell Technology Team. Priest has a bachelor’s degree in journalism

from Kent State University. She currently serves on the College’s Aesthetics Committee andplays a major role in scheduling art exhibits at the College, as well as purchasing artwork for the campus.

Stark State is going green!Stark State College continues to make great strides towards its green initiatives. Currently,

the College is installing motion sensors in all classrooms to reduce the amount of energy usedfor lighting. All parking lot lights are connected to sensors and time clocks. Old T12 fixtures are being converted to T8 fixtures and will use environmentally safe bulbs. Lighting in the newHealth Sciences building has been upgraded to the energy efficient T5 fixtures. Also, all computer CRT displays have been replaced with flat-panel monitors, saving energy and reducing cooling costs.

In addition, all new and future construction on campus will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards, including installation of carpet with recycled content, waterless urinals that can save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year urinal, automatic dual flush flushometers on the toilets, automatic faucets at all of the sinks to conserve water and installing automatic hand dryers to reduce the use of paper towels.

These efforts and more build upon Stark State’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Watch future issues of the Stark State Reviewfor more updates!

10

Be part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration!In 2010, Stark State College will begin a year-long celebration of our 50th Anniversary. Please tell us how you would like to participate by taking a few minutes to complete this brief survey.

> Share your favorite memories of your time at Stark State.> Tell us a special story about your favorite teacher.> Share your memories of the Spartans basketball team…and your photos!> Would you participate in a department reunion?

A great deal of planning will go into the 50th Anniversary Celebration and your answers to this survey will help guide the path we take. You can participate online at www.starkstate.edu/50 or complete the survey below and mail to: Stark State College Alumni Office, 6200 Frank Ave. N.W., North Canton, OH 44720.

Be sure to complete the entire form so we have your most current information…and if you move, please let us know. We don’t want you to miss a moment of our 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________First Middle Maiden Last

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ____________________________________________________________________________________

Home phone ___________________________________________ Work phone _______________________________________

Cell phone ____________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________

Year of graduation ______________________________________ Major ____________________________________________

Multiple degrees? Skip section if not applicable

Year of graduation ___________________________ Major _______________________________________________________

Year of graduation ___________________________ Major _______________________________________________________

Employer _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Employer’s city _____________________________________ Employer’s state _______________________________________

I would like to attend a department reunion _______________________________________________________ o Yes o Nodepartment name

I would like to serve on the planning committee ___________________________________________________ o Yes o Nodepartment name

My favorite professor at Stark State __________________________________________________________________________

My favorite memories at Stark State __________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

In 2010,

Stark State College

will begin a

year-long

celebration of our

50th Anniversary.

11

A L U M N I U P D A T E • A L U M N I U P D A T E • A L U M N I U P D A T E

William C. Rinehart, ’80, electrical/electronicengineering technology, retired from AmericanElectric Power in 2006, moved to NorthCarolina, and is currently an industry instructorwith Fayetteville Technical Community Collegein North Carolina. He teaches industrial skills,such as basic electricity and wiring, framingconstruction, masonry, and basic plumbing, tosoldiers at Ft. Bragg prior to their deploymentsto Iraq and Afghanistan.

Debbie (Detchon) Robertson, ’83, secretarialscience technology, has been with the Collegeof Charleston for over 16 years, currently as anadministrative assistant/office manager, andloves working in a college environment. A resident of North Charleston, SC, she wouldlike to hear from her former classmates. Emailher at debbiekay0328@hotmail.com.

Connie (Campbell) Sherman, ’95business management technology,

is employed by Time Warner Cable of North East Ohio as credit and collection manager. She resides in Copley.

If you’ve had a special event in your life recently, perhaps a new job, promotion, or special honor, let your Stark State College of Technology friends know about it! Complete the form on the Web at www.starkstate.edu/whatsnew

If you have a high-resolution photograph send it to: Stark State College of Technology, Alumni Office - S200, 6200 Frank Ave. N.W., North Canton, OH 44720 or electronically to webmaster@starkstate.edu.

What’s new withyou?

AttentionStark State

Alumni:

Rebecca (Webb) Campbell, ’98, accounting,is the office administrator for the CantonCemetery Association. After losing her brother-in-law to pancreatic cancer, she formed theCanton affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer ActionNetwork (www.pancan.org), to raise awarenessabout the disease and to raise funds forresearch. For information about the local chap-ter, email rcampbell@pancan.org. Campbellis a Canton resident.

Barry Frey, ’98, nursing, received his BSN fromCapital University and has managed the family

practice unit at Ohio State MedicalCenter East since 2007. During the2008 Ohio State University CampusCampaign, he was awarded theOutstanding Volunteer Leadership

Award and his unit was recognizedas the outstanding medium-sized cost

center. Frey lives with his wife and two chil-dren in Canal Winchester.

Jennifer Meek Eells, ’99, human and social service technology, is deputy director at TheEmployment Source, a workforce developmentand training center with offices in Canton andNew Philadelphia. In 2008, she graduatedmagna cum laude from Walden University witha BS in business administration with a special-ization in management. She currently resides inLisbon.

Andi Michelson, ’00, occupational therapyassistant technology, a resident of East Sparta,is a certified occupational therapist assistant

with Hennis Care Centre of Bolivar. Aftersix years in the long-term care field,

she recently launched a Web site toconnect people in need of assistance(elderly and disabled individuals)with people who need housing

(single parents, widows, college students). Her goal is to provide mutual

assistance to the parties involved. To learnmore, visit www.AbideWithMe.us.

Linda Peebles, ’00, early childhood education,is employed by the Stark County CommunityAction Agency in the Head Start program. ANorth Canton resident, she is a teacher assis-tant at the William Hunter Center in Canton.

Donna M. (Sholl) Boals, ’04, human andsocial service technology, a non-traditional student who began her college studies at age48, received her bachelor’s in social work fromthe University of Akron in 2006 and her licensein social work in 2007. A Canton resident, she currently is a social worker for the OhioDepartment of Youth Services at Indian River,where she did her internship while at Stark State.

Guy Guidone, ’04, electrical engineering technology, is employed by American ElectricPower as supervisor – customer bill print oper-ations. As a meter reader for AEP, he attendednight classes at Stark State and attributes hisadvancement within the company to attaininghis associate degree. He progressed to engi-neering technician and, after receiving hisdegree from Malone College, moved into hiscurrent management position. A resident ofLouisville, Guidone also serves his communityas a city councilman. His daughter plans toattend Stark State fall semester.

Curtis Baldridge, ’06, nursing, a Summa St. Thomas Hospital nurse, was one of 16 recipients of the Cameos of Caring award,which recognizes exemplary nurses who treatpatients and families with care, dignity andcompassion while demonstrating excellence in nursing care. A resident of Akron, Baldridgeand his fellow recipients will serve as ambassadors of the nursing profession in aneffort to address the nursing shortage.

Terri Williamson, ’07, administrative officeprofessional, is attending Franklin University

in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. TheMassillon resident received the

Franklin University LeadershipScholarship, which recognizes the top undergraduate and graduate students who have the highest GPA.

Nominees sought for 2009 Alumni Hall of Fame

The Alumni Advisory Council is seeking nominees for the 2009 Alumni Hall of Fame.Induction will be during the MayCommencement ceremonies. Professional and personal achievements and service to thecommunity, are key attributes for nominees. Go to www.starkstate.edu/alumnihofto learn more and to submit a nomination form by the April 13 deadline.

’80

’98

’98

’99

’00

’00

’04

’04

’06

’07

’83

’95

[ ][ ]Stark Truss Company President Stephen E. Yoderwas cited for his local and world community andcorporate leadership. At the helm of a company that has production facilities and more than 1000employees in several states, Yoder currently servesas president of the Ohio chapter of the Wood TrussCouncil of America. On a global level, Yoder led ateam of 16 employees and two medical doctors toGuatemala, where he assisted in the construction of a hospital.

A 1995 graduate of Stark State College with anassociate degree in business and accounting, theUniontown resident also is a graduate of RhemaBible Training Center in Tulsa, OK and was recentlyelected to their board. He has served on the StarkState Alumni Advisory Council for six years and wasthe alumni liaison to the Stark State FoundationBoard. An active member of the local community,Yoder serves on the boards of TurnaroundCommunity Outreach and the Pregnancy SupportCenter. He also is a member of the Faith FamilyChurch Building Advisory Board and a supporter ofthe J. Babe Stearn Community Center and MaloneCollege. Recently, Yoder provided trusses and laborfor two new roof simulators for Stark State’s fire science program.

If you receive multiple copies of Stark State Review, please send us all duplicate address labels, indicate which label is correct, and we’ll update our mailing list. If you know of someone who would like to receive a copy of the Review, let us know. Thank you!

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PAIDCANTON, OHIO

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Address service requested

Plain Township Trustee Pamela S. Bossart graduatedfrom Stark State College in 1990 with an A.S. incomputer applications. She received a B.S. in mathematics and computer science at Walsh in1997 and had a 21-year career in information technology with The Hoover Company before joiningThe Timken Company as an operations principal,responsible for maintaining corporate data centerfacilities.

She is president of AFCOM, Northeast Ohio’s datacenter manager user group and serves as presidentof the Stark Regional Planning Commission’sExecutive Committee. She also is secretary of theStark County Township Association, secretary of theStark County Board of Health Advisory Committee,and a member of the Stark Council of Governments,Stark County Area Transportation Study, StarkCounty’s Homeland Security Committee, Coalition ofLarge Ohio Urban Townships and the Ohio TownshipAssociation.

Bossart is a past member of the EdgewoodCommunity Center Board and a graduate ofLeadership Stark County’s Government LeadershipAcademy. She has lived in Plain Township most ofher life and is a graduate of Oakwood High School.

Pamela Bossart and Stephen Yoder

inducted into Stark State CollegeAlumni Hall of Fame

The Stark State College

Alumni Council has inducted

Pamela S. Bossart and

Stephen E. Yoder into the

Stark State College

Alumni Hall of Fame,

citing their personal and

professional achievements.