Campus Achievements and Noteworthy Stories

Dr. Joshua Sumpter has been named chaplain and executive director of Christian Ministry at Ashland University, his alma mater. With pastoral and academic experience from Waynesburg University, he will guide students' spiritual development. A passionate mentor and speaker, Sumpter returns to AU with a deep commitment to faith-based leadership and service. Read more.

Baldwin Wallace University students embraced global learning through study abroad programs in Japan, Greece, Zambia, Ireland, Spain, and Guatemala, gaining cultural insight, independence, leadership skills, and hands-on career preparation. Many experienced their first time abroad, navigating new environments while applying academic knowledge in real-world contexts, strengthening both personal growth and global understanding. Read more.

Bluffton students Trevor King ’28 and Logan Daugherty ’27 received 2025 Summer Discovery Grants, earning $1,500 each for unpaid vocational experiences. King will shadow lab professionals in Ohio, while Daugherty will intern in Washington, D.C., gaining hands-on medical experience. Click here to learn more.

For 75 years, Capital University’s School of Nursing has led with innovation, compassion, and excellence. From pioneering curriculum changes to holistic care, global experiences, and a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, the school continues to shape skilled, caring professionals while honoring a legacy of leadership, service, and transformative education. Read more.

Cedarville grad Ramen Felumlee ’24 turned post-college rejection into purpose, becoming a financial literacy teacher and cross country coach at a Dayton high school. A former All-American athlete, he now mentors students facing real-life challenges, using his passion for running and perseverance to inspire both in and out of the classroom. Read more.

Defiance College student-athletes excelled academically, with 11 teams posting GPAs above 3.0 and 51 students earning 4.0s. Numerous athletes earned regional and national academic honors, including WHAC All-Conference, Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete, and Academic All-District recognition, reflecting sustained excellence across multiple sports and disciplines. Read more.

More than 750 alumni returned to The Hill for Reunion 2025, including 130 from the Class of 1975. The weekend featured class celebrations, inspiring panels, campus tours, and a moving tribute to beloved professor David O. Woodyard. Reunion gifts totaled $14.5 million, led by a $9.6 million gift from the Class of 1975. Read more.

Simon Tanner, a Findlay High School senior, made history as the University of Findlay’s first public high school student to earn a degree through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. He graduated college hours before prom. CCP offers Ohio students free college courses, fostering academic growth and early college success. Read more.

Franklin University’s Dr. Wendy L. Eaton, MPA Program Chair, has been appointed to ICMA’s Graduate Education Committee. Her three-year term supports the University’s mission to align academic programs with workforce needs, enhancing public service education and ensuring students gain real-world leadership experience that prepares them for impactful careers in local government. Read more.

Heidelberg University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program received a $2.25 million HRSA grant to support aspiring mental health professionals. Over four years, the funding will provide stipends, advanced training, and community outreach, addressing Ohio’s mental health workforce shortage—especially in rural areas—while expanding access to affordable, trauma-informed counselor education. Read more.

Hiram sophomore Nathan Cooper and his brother Chase won $4,300 at two pitch competitions with their mobile golf simulator startup. Representing Hiram’s Entrepreneurship High Performance Program, they took top honors at both IdeaBuild and the regional ideaLabs contest, impressing judges with their innovation and strong business presentations. Click here to read more.

John Carroll University has launched the COMPASS Program, an initiative supporting students with learning differences. Funded by the Noetzel family, the program begins in Fall 2025, offering academic, social, and career resources, promoting inclusion and student success through a supportive cohort model. Read more.

Kenyon ranks second among small schools for Peace Corps volunteers, with nine alumni currently serving in eight countries, including Sebastian Gaeta ’24. Since 1961, 243 Kenyon grads have joined the Corps. Faculty credit the liberal arts foundation for preparing students to serve globally with empathy, adaptability, and strong communication and problem-solving skills. Click here to read more.

Lake Erie College celebrates student writers Mackenzie Meeker and Adeline (AJ) Cloutier for their recent literary achievements. Meeker’s flash fiction was published in 10 By 10 Flash, and Cloutier’s poem appeared in Polaris, a national undergraduate magazine. Their success highlights the talent nurtured in the college’s Creative Writing Club. Read more.

The second annual Spectrum of Possibilities Conference is around the corner and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Kerry Magro. This one-day event fosters autism awareness through evidence-based practices, community connection, and advocacy, uniting professionals, educators, self-advocates, and families for learning and meaningful dialogue. Read more.

Tyler McClellan, a Malone University counseling graduate student, earned a $1,000 scholarship from the Ohio School Counselor Association for 2025–2026. Chosen for his standout essay and strong faculty recommendation, McClellan is praised for his compassion, dedication, and servant leadership as he prepares to make a meaningful impact as a school counselor. Read more.

Marietta College received a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce to offer full tuition scholarships for its online “Military Bridges to Teaching” program. Active-duty personnel, veterans, and their spouses with bachelor’s degrees can now pursue Ohio teaching licensure tuition‑free, with personalized mentorship and flexible online coursework. Read more.

In 1919, Florence Roe began her college journey at Mount Union, mirroring many experiences of students today—homesickness, campus life, and academic stress. Thanks to her preserved letters, her story lives on through her descendants, showcasing how the college experience, though evolving, still connects generations through shared hopes, challenges, and memories. Read more.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Africa Nazarene University launched a student exchange program. Robert, a Kenyan law student, explored U.S. justice and faith. Kessy, from Burundi, overcame cultural and academic challenges. Dominic, from MVNU, embraced Kenyan life and diversity. All three returned home transformed—academically, culturally, and spiritually enriched by the experience. Read more about their experiences.

Over spring break, five Muskingum students joined Chaplain Derek Wadlington on a service trip to hurricane-impacted western North Carolina. Partnering with Westminster College, they worked on cleanup and repair projects, gaining hands-on experience in service, reflection, and community building. Click here to read more.

Julia Cronin ’25 received a Fulbright award to research ice cores in Denmark with Dr. Helle Kjær at the Niels Bohr Institute. A chemistry and environmental studies major, she aims to better understand climate change. Inspired by Oberlin’s research opportunities, she plans to pursue a PhD in environmental chemistry afterward. Read more.

Ohio Dominican student Ruth Kamanga participated in a global UN panel on women’s leadership, emphasizing the need for policies that drive real change. Her contribution reflects ODU’s commitment to social justice, global awareness, and empowering students to influence decision-making and gender equality worldwide. Read more.

After Ada’s Rite Aid closed in 2024, Ohio Northern University’s Healthwise Pharmacy became a vital resource in Hardin County’s “pharmacy desert.” Prescription volume tripled, prompting expanded services and mobile clinics. Despite growth, the pharmacy maintains personalized care, serving the community with dedication, accessibility, and a mission to improve rural health access. Read more.

Ohio Wesleyan’s Woltemade Center has named eight sophomores as 2025–2026 Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars. Selected for academic excellence and leadership, scholars receive $10,000 over two years, take specialized courses, gain internship experience, and engage with business leaders—preparing them for success in business and entrepreneurship. Read more.

Dylan Truong founded the Otterbein Asian Community to give Asian students greater visibility and voice on campus. The group now hosts cultural events, promotes identity and confidence, and collaborates widely. Truong’s leadership earned him an Emerging Leadership Award and reflects his commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and community empowerment. Read more.

Jim Hutchins, a veteran and two-time Tiffin University graduate, found renewed connection through TU’s LIFE@TU program. A lifelong learner, he praises the program’s engaging sessions and community impact. Hutchins is proud of TU’s growth and innovation, and encourages alumni to reconnect, emphasizing it’s never too late to learn something new. Read more.

The Higher Learning Commission approved a key merger step between Gannon University and Ursuline College, allowing Gannon to assume leadership and financial oversight. Ursuline retains its name and accreditation until full merger in 2026. The partnership strengthens Catholic higher education, combining resources to serve 5,500 students while preserving each institution’s legacy. Read more.

Walsh University students Lukas Keverkamp and Kyle Woods earned national honors at the 2025 ISSN Conference for presenting original Exercise Science research. Competing with global scholars, Keverkamp won second place for Best Undergraduate Poster. Their work highlights Walsh’s strong emphasis on undergraduate research, faculty mentorship, and experiential learning in science. Read more.

Assistant professor of art at Wittenberg University Gypsy Schindler, is revitalizing the campus by transforming a loading dock into a vibrant mural near the Benham-Pence Student Center. Commissioned by President Michael Frandsen, the mural aims to beautify a frequently used area and showcase Wittenberg landmarks like Myers Hall and the Kissing Bridge.

Inspired by traditional and contemporary painting styles, Schindler's project integrates seasonal Ohio landscapes, influenced by a painting from President Frandsen's home. This initiative not only enhances campus aesthetics but also provides valuable real-world experience for students Hanna Haddix and Molly Kirkpatrick, two art majors working alongside Schindler on this project.

Scheduled for completion by July, the mural underscores the growing popularity and career potential of mural painting, offering students an immersive introduction into this demanding yet rewarding field.

Click here to read the full story.

Biology major at Wooster College Andrew Armile ’24, pursued scholarly research on spinal muscular atrophy during his time in college, taking the opportunity to expand his knowledge about the disorder.

Mentored by professors Seth Kelly and Laura Sirot, Armile studied gene effects in motor neurons of fruit flies, aiming to contribute to SMA cure research.

Reflecting on his Wooster experience, including football and academic achievements, Armile credits the college's supportive environment for his growth. His Independent Study (I.S.) project equipped him with research, lab and communication skills, bolstering his confidence to pursue medical school and a career as a physician.

Click here to read the full story.

Three Wittenberg University employees received 2025 SOCHE Excellence Awards: Professor D. Scot Hinson for faculty excellence, Brandee Bates Kern for staff excellence, and Lt. Lee McCartney for campus impact. Honored for teaching, service, and leadership, they exemplify Wittenberg’s commitment to student success, safety, community building, and educational excellence. Read more.

Don Allman ’74 turned lessons from Wooster baseball—teamwork, perseverance, and leadership—into a successful career in outdoor advertising, rising to CEO and co-founding Titan. Grateful for Wooster’s lasting influence, he values openness, trust, and strong relationships in business, and continues to support his alma mater. Read more.