APUBLICATION OF STARK STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ALUMNI, FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE AND THE COMMUNITY Stark State’s HVAC program leads northeast Ohio in commercial and residential training See page 6 SUMMER 2006 WHAT’S INSIDE ❚ HVAC program leads northeast Ohio in training ❚ Business technologies receive national accreditation ❚ Honda PACT joins automotive technology program ❚ Enrollment records set for spring and summer ❚ Commencement 2006 ❚ 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Transcript
A PUBLICATION OF STARK STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ALUMNI,FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE AND THE COMMUNITY
Stark State’s HVACprogram leads
northeast Ohio incommercial and
residential trainingSee page 6
S U M M E R 2 0 0 6
WHAT’S INSIDEz HVAC program leads northeast
Ohio in training
z Business technologies receivenational accreditation
z Honda PACT joins automotivetechnology program
z Enrollment records set forspring and summer
z Commencement 2006
z 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
President’s Messageby John O’Donnell, President, Stark State College
You have heard a great deal in recent years about thecontinued and rapid enrollment growth at Stark StateCollege. While we take pride and satisfaction in ourtremendous growth, we have an even greater sense of satisfaction in meeting our mission of degree completionby our students. Each year, more and more of our studentscomplete their degrees, and some complete two degrees!At May commencement, we awarded 550 associate degrees to 533 students. Combined with the January 2006graduation where 179 associate degrees were awarded to176 students, Stark State awarded a record 729 degreesduring the 2005-06 academic year. We also take great pride in our Career Services Office report that over 93% of our graduates are employed upon graduation.
Clearly, our growth and the employment of our graduates is a result ofcommunity need for associate degree training and the need of businesses for skilled workers. Highlighted in the Stark State Review are two examples of new academic programs and certificate partnerships.
Our Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Program (HVAC) hasexpanded from a focus on the residential component of the industry to thecommercial area also. This would not have been possible without the dona-tion of equipment by the Akron-based Air Enterprises. This equipment hasmade possible the training of Stark State students as well as those currentlyworking in the field who need retraining on specific aspects of new HVACtechnology. In addition, other donations of equipment have led to the StarkState HVAC program leading the way in HVAC training in northeast Ohio.
We are also pleased to welcome our partner American Honda and itsProfessional Automotive Career Training, also known as Honda PACT.Corporate automotive partnerships and educational programs, such asHonda PACT, have fueled an enrollment growth of nearly 600% in StarkState’s automotive technology program since 2000 and have been the drivingforce behind our outstanding, state-of-the art Automotive Technology Center.The PACT program combines the requirements of the College’s automotivetechnology degree program with those of American Honda to provide students with marketable skills for the workforce.
As we reinforce the commitments of both American Honda and Stark Stateto educational and economic partnerships, it is important to note that Hondahas been a committed economic partner with the state of Ohio for more than25 years. Honda’s economic impact on Ohio has been extraordinary and weare very pleased that Honda is also a strong education partner with Stark State.
Such business/corporate/academic partnerships, as those with AmericanHonda and Air Enterprises, are necessary to build a strong workplace andensure the economic vitality of our community. Several weeks ago, we hosted the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium and featured our recently completedFuel Cell Prototyping Center. You will hear much more about the Fuel CellPrototyping Center, and the partnerships involved in that project, in the next issue of the Stark State Review.
From growing the workplace to business/college partnerships, we takepride in our faculty’s real-world knowledge of their academic areas and are extremely appreciative of the value, support and collaboration of ourbusiness/corporate partners.
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 REVIEWThe 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 correspon-
dence to Stark State Review, 6200 Frank Ave. N.W., North Canton, OH 44720.
AdministrationJohn O’Donnell, Ph.D., President
Thomas A. ChiappiniVice President for Business and Finance
Lawrence M. Cox, Ph.D.Provost
Para M. Jones, Vice President for Advancement, Planning, and College/Community Relations
John J. Kurtz, Vice President for Information Technology and Administrative Services
Board of TrusteesFonda P. Williams II, Chair
Christopher J. Maurer, Vice ChairMichael J. Hill
Penny L. Sherrod-CampanizziWilliam Strohmenger
Michael Thomas, D.D.S.
Foundation Board of DirectorsRon Wilkof, President
Paul Feaser, Vice PresidentCharles West, Treasurer
William Luntz, EmeritusJohn J. McGrath, Ed.D.John O’Donnell, Ph.D.
James Powell, EmeritusTimothy Putman
Ahmed Sabe, M.D.Terrence Seeberger
Mary Jo Shannon SlickLarry SmergliaShari Strange
William StrohmengerThomas StroubleGrace WakulchikJeffery Walters
Frank Weinstock, M.D.Frank Wittman
Steve YoderEditor
Irene Lewis MottsDirector of Marketing/Communications
Graphic Design/PhotographyBeth Klein
Graphic DesignerEditorial Assistant/Photography
Sean RutherfordWeb/Communications Specialist
Editorial AssistantCathy Spino
ON THE COVERDon Ball and Jerry Klinesmith (front) are verypleased with the HVAC program’s custom-built air handling unit, donated by Air Enterprises of Akron. See pages 6 and 7 for more details on the growth of the HVAC program.
New appointments made toStark State Foundation Board
TIM PUTNAM President of PutmanProperties, Inc. and a licensed Ohio
Real Estate Broker, he is also a practicing attorney specializing inreal estate titles, contracts and
leases. As president of PutmanProperties, Inc., a real estate investment
and management firm, he has worked with suchFortune 500 Companies as The Timken Company,Folgers Coffee, Martin-Marrieta, Siemens-Allensand others. Putnam currently serves on theboards of Canton Tomorrow, Inc., a communityorganization focusing on downtown Canton redevelopment; the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts; and the North Canton MedicalFoundation. He earned his juris doctorate degreefrom the University of Akron.
LARRY L. SMERGLIA Senior vice president – investments for UBS’s
Financial Services, Inc., he headsUBS’s Smerglia, D’Anniballe &Houston Financial Group in Canton.
His career in finance spans more than30 years. Each financial advisor on the
team advises clients professionally in the areasof financial, investment, charitable giving and/orestate planning strategies. Smerglia is a 1990Malone College graduate with a bachelor of artsdegree in management and serves on Malone’sBusiness Advisory Board. He also is treasurer of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland andEast Central Ohio and chairs their finance committee. Other community activities include:board member, Copeland Oaks RetirementCommunity in Sebring; board of governors, Oaks Foundation in Sebring; board member,Canton Children’s Learning Center for Childrenwith Dyslexia; and committee member,2006 United Way Campaign.
About the Stark State College Foundation - The Stark StateCollege Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organizationformed 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. TheFoundation plays a crucial role in helping the College provideexcellent educational services to the Greater Stark Countycommunity.
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT NEWS
Stark State Foundation announces Changing Lives…Building Our Community
The Stark State Foundation is planning a major campaign to raise funds to help the College achieve its mission, vision and strategic goals, which are based on servingcommunity and regional needs.
Over 700 key stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, business and community leaders and alumni, provided input into Stark State’s 2005-2007 strategicplan. The strategic plan emphasizes the need for the College to continue growing andexpanding in response to the community’s and region’s needs for postsecondaryeducation, particularly in high-demand areas such as health care, information technology and business.
“Stark State’s enrollment has been growing by approximately 10% each year since2001,” said Para M. Jones, vice president for advancement, planning and college relations. “We expect growth to continue, based on the region’s changing economy,which is driving demand for postsecondary education; the College’s strategic goals;and Stark State’s growing appeal to value-conscious students.”
Jones said the Changing Lives… Building Our Community campaign addresses theCollege’s three greatest needs and goals:
• Health and Sciences Project – The proposed Health and Sciences Building willprovide needed space to expand existing and add new health and sciences programsand courses, such as biotechnology. The College and Foundation are seeking $1.6 million in local support, including a naming donor for the Health and SciencesBuilding, to complement $5.4 million in state and local funding for this project.
• Scholarship Endowment Project – By establishing more endowed scholarships,Stark State can achieve its mission and strategic goal of providing access to studentswho otherwise might not be able to afford college. The College and Foundation areseeking to add at least $1 million to the current scholarship endowment.
• Business and Entrepreneurship Project – The need for this project has grown out of increased demand for and growth in business programs and the regional focus on entrepreneurship as a stimulus for economic development. The College and Foundation will seek state, federal and local funding to accomplish this goal.
For more information about the Changing Lives…Building Our Community campaign,please call Para Jones, 330-494-6170, ext. 4258.
Community leaders spearhead campaign Stark State President John O’Donnell, Stark State Foundation board members and Advancement Officestaff are developing plans and strategies to attract local support to complement state and federal funding for the capital campaign. The following Foundation board members are providing overall campaign leadership: Paul Feaser, Nancy McPeek, Tom Strouble, Chuck West, Frank Wittman andGeorge Lemon. Co-chairs of the Health and Sciences Project are Grace Wakulchik and Bill Strohmenger;Foundation board member Dr. Ahmed Sabe is assisting with the project. Ron Wilkof and Nancy McPeekare co-chairs of the Scholarship Endowment Project. George Lemon will co-chair the Business andEntrepreneurship Project with other volunteers. Alumni and friends of the College who would like to become involved in the campaign should contact Para Jones at 330-494-6170, Ext. 4258.
The futurevision for the
new Healthand Sciences
Project.
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AROUNDCAMPUS
Honda PACT joins Stark State automotive technology programs
Brian Moore, industry education coordinator for American Honda, stepped tothe podium at the Honda PACT Launch in a room filled with Stark State Collegeadministrators, automotive technology students and faculty, and announced thatthe selection of Stark State as a Honda PACT site was an easy one.
“We looked at several schools in the area. It became clear early on that StarkState College was where we wanted to be,” Moore said. He added that the following factors played a large role in the company’s decision:
• the quality of the educational programs offered at Stark State• the professors/instructors in the automotive technology programs• the support from the administration• the resources committed from the College• the reputation of Stark State’s automotive technology program among
other manufacturers“There is a strong commitment from the automotive technology program
and the administration, and that is important to the success of Honda PACT,”Moore added.
American Honda PACT – Professional Automotive Career Training – providesspecific Honda technical knowledge in a fast-track curriculum. Hands-on learning, with Honda’s advance technology and products, prepares students for employment at Honda dealerships.
Ken Buie, programs coordinator for Stark State’s automotive technologies, coordinated the Honda PACT Launch and explained that the program may bepursued as an associate degree or as a certificate of completion. “And, the flexibility of the Honda PACT program makes the Honda-specific classes available to past automotive graduates also,” Buie added.
As a Honda PACT site, Honda supplies Stark State with vehicles, state-of-the-art training materials and curriculum. Stark State trains Honda PACT faculty bysending them to American Honda facilities so that they can stay abreast of Honda-specific technologies.
“This is a real value for dealers; this is a factory for quality technicians,” saidBrian Solenthaler, DPSM, American Honda. “To be a master technician, they needto be 75% trained on Honda modules. Stark State students will be 65-70% trainedon those modules.”
“With 43 Honda and Acura dealers in the northeast Ohio and Columbus areas, the Honda PACT program at Stark State can have a profound influence on the professional training of technicians, service managers and other workersneeded by these dealers. The combination of classroom, labs and on-the-job experiences ensures that students in the Honda PACT program will be well-prepared for their future pursuits following graduation,” said Stark State College President John O’Donnell.
Attorney Halm appointed toStark State College Board
Attorney Jeffrey A. Halm, managingpartner of the Canton office ofBuckingham, Doolittle andBurroughs, LLP, has been appointedto the Stark State College board oftrustees, filling the term throughAugust 2006 of former board memberRandall Hunt, who resigned citing pro-fessional commitments.
A Canton resident, Halm is also a member of the law firm’s board of managers and was recognized by his peers as one of Ohio’s SuperLawyers in the 2004 and 2005 CincinnatiMagazine. He is vice president of Certified Title Agency, Inc. and title insurance agent for three other agencies.
Halm received his bachelor’s degree fromDenison University in Granville, Ohio and his juris doctorate from The Ohio State UniversityCollege of Law.
In addition to the Stark State board, Halm is also on the board of directors for the AmericanHeart Association, Jackson-Belden Chamber ofCommerce, and Jackson Township Rotary. He isa member of the board of trustees for the Canton Symphony Orchestra, a Stark CommunityFoundation committee member, and serves on the advisory board and endowment fund committee of the Boy Scouts, Buckeye Council.
Thirty Stark State earlychildhood education students, and theiryoung helpers, plantedpinwheels along FrankAve. as part of the county-wide Pinwheelsfor Prevention program,designed to increaseawareness about childabuse and neglect inStark County. As part of Child Abuse/ChildNeglect AwarenessMonth, 2,675 pinwheelswere planted at sitesacross Stark County.Each pinwheel representedone incidence of childabuse or neglect reportedin the county in 2004.“Activities such as thisprepare our students as advocates for young children and as partners in community outreach”, said CarrilynLong, department chairof early childhood education.
Pinwheels forPrevention
Brian Moore, industry education coordinator for AmericanHonda, shown at left and center above, strongly believesthat Stark State College is a great location for HondaPACT. With Moore above are, Randy Bennett, left, department chair of automotive technology and Ken Buie,programs coordinator for automotive technologies.
U.S. Representative Ralph Regula keynotes
Stark State CollegeEnviroFest ‘06
U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) was thekeynote speaker at Stark State College’sEnviroFest 2006 “Northeast Ohio: It’s OurHome Too”. The day-long event providedbusinesses and individuals with the mostcurrent information related to environmen-tal, health and safety issues. CongressmanRegula praised those at the event for theirefforts in providing northeast Ohio with aclean, safe environment that is attractive to drawing new business and industry to the area.
“We take so much for granted,” Regula toldthe crowd. “But it’s you people who are soextremely important in terms of the environ-ment. Without quality water and sewagetreatment systems, business and industrywill not relocate here.” Regula’s praise wasdirected to the nearly 100 businesses andindividuals in attendance who work in environmental areas or deal with environmental issues daily.
William Skowronski, District Chief for thenortheast Ohio office of the Ohio EPA, wasthe luncheon speaker. An exhibitors areashowcased products and services related toenvironmental health and safety issues.EnviroFest ‘06 was made possible through a grant from the Stark-Tuscarawas-WayneJoint Solid Waste Management District,with the support of area businesses andorganizations.
Bob Collins, coordinator of the environmen-tal, health and safety technology program,headed the EnviroFest ’06 committee.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day held at Stark State
Stark State hosted and co-sponsored Stark County's first year of participation in the global celebration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day. GIS Day is held each year during the National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week and is intended to educate and inform the public about advances in GIS technology and its many uses.
“GIS is the wave of the future for Stark County,” said Stark County Auditor Kim R. Perez. “GIS will not only save lives, but it will also assist in approximately 80% of all local government office duties. I plan to utilize this tool by developing neighborhood maps to assist in appraising property.”
Nearly 20 companies and agencies were on-hand to promote and demonstrate their GIS-related materials and projects.
The Stark State engineering technology division utilized the event as an opportunity to promote the College and the division with informational flyers and several software demonstrations.
James Schell, GIS Supervisor for the Stark County Auditor’s office, describes how the county is using GIS technology to map out property lines, streets and water lines throughout the county.
Spring and summer enrollments set records, satellite centers continue to grow
Stark State College’s rapid enrollment growth since 2000 continues, with enrollmentrecords on main campus of a 20% increase for summer session over last summer’sheadcount and an 11% increase for spring semester 2006 over spring 2005 headcount.
In addition, satellite centers in Alliance and Carrollton showed 400% growth and100% growth, respectively, from spring 2005 to spring 2006. With the addition of adedicated site in Alliance, the community responded with enrollment growing from24 students to 104 students. Classes in Carrollton, offered at three different locations,experienced an enrollment increase from 35 to 71. Interest continues to grow at theDowntown Canton Satellite Center at the Timken Campus where students are primarily post-secondary students, but a marketing/recruiting effort is underway
to attract more downtown Canton residents and business people for classes.
“The strong growth of Stark StateCollege, both on main campus and at oursatellite centers, is due to the quality of ourfaculty and of our market-driven associatedegree programs, which create highdemand for Stark State graduates amongemployers,” said Dr. John O’Donnell, president of Stark State College. “We continue to have over 93% of our graduatesemployed upon graduation.”
According to O’Donnell, the continuous improvement of existing programs andthe addition of new programs are vital to the College’s success and make Stark State College one of the most attractive colleges in the area. Exciting additions to the College’s academic program include: cyber security and computer forensics technology, biotechnology, and a fuel cell technology track through the mechanicalengineering technology program.
Stark State’s affordable tuition of $127 per semester hour also makes Stark Stateattractive to local students and families, as well as the College’s wide range of scholarships and financial aid programs.
The Alliance Satellite Center debuted inJanuary at 1237 State Street.
MAINFEATURE
Stark State’s heating, ventilation and air condi-tioning (HVAC) program has emerged as northeastOhio’s leader in commercial and residential HVACtraining, thanks to a newly-renovated lab space andnearly $500,000 worth of donated equipment.
Between 2003 and 2005, HVAC enrollment ballooned from approximately 25 students, to nearly 100 students. This enrollment growth incombination with requests from industry partnersto expand the curriculum, prompted the HVAC faculty to look for ways to revamp the program.Already hampered by a lack of space in their existing lab, growing the program required expanding their facilities.
“Having a small area and large equipment meant that there was a limited scope of what couldbe taught,” said Don Ball, Stark State director ofapprenticeship and industrial training and depart-ment chair of applied industrial technology. “Ournew lab allows the instructors to teach and showwhat they know in a hands-on way, and not berestricted to showing what is in the books.”
The 3,750 square foot Advanced HVACApplications Lab is located in the former home of the automotive technology program. The completely renovated facility consists of a main lab,a smaller HVAC electrical lab, a refrigeration laband sheet metal lab.
The centerpiece of the main lab, and the catalystfor the entire renovation, is a custom-built air handling unit (AHU). Donated by Air Enterprisesof Akron, the AHU is a complete air system whichduplicates nearly any HVAC situation found in thefield. The unit is more than 30 feet long and wasassembled on-site in five pieces.
“Having the AHU makes our program veryunique across the country,” said Jerry Klinesmith,Stark State HVAC coordinator, “We’re very fortunate to have this unit. Our students get towork on a piece of equipment most programs canonly talk about. This gives our students a greatedge and better prepares them for their careers.”
Klinesmith said Air Enterprises benefits fromhaving an AHU at Stark State because it gives the company a local and convenient location forcustomer and employee training.
As one of only two college HVAC programs in a six-county area (Carroll, Portage, Stark, Summit,Tuscarawas and Wayne), the Stark State HVAC
Stark State’s HVAC program leads Ohio in commercial and residential training; new labs and equipment donations drive program’s expansion
Equipment Donors
Custom-built air handling unit (AHU), 30 tons with supply and return fan, steam,chilled water, dx coils and variable frequency drivesdonated by Air Enterprises
Direct Digital Controls provided by Automated Logic and Comfort Controls
Carrier low pressuresteam boiler donated by Refrigeration Sales Corp.(one of many items)
25-ton water chiller donated by Carrier (on right)
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MAINFEATURE
program draws students with diverse backgroundsand goals. According to Ball, more than half of thestudents come into the program straight out of highschool, while others are already in the industry andare looking to advance their skills or individuals looking to start a new career.
“Our program is not just training technicians to do repairs and installation,” Ball said. “We’retraining and placing people in many areas of theHVAC industry; from manufacturing to inside sales to distribution and service. Our new labs will help us continue to expand our offerings as technology and the industry changes.”
Some of the new technologies and course offerings made possible include digital controls,hydronics, sheet metal design and application, low- and high-pressure boiler operation and stationary engineering.
The HVAC program relies heavily on industrypartnerships. In addition to supplying the majorityof the equipment, 12 of the 13 faculty are adjunctswho also maintain full-time jobs in the industry.
Klinesmith credits a strong faculty and solidindustry relationships with helping the programcontinue to grow. Goals for the future includeexpansion of the program through additionaldegree options, supplying qualified workers for the entire Northeast Ohio HVAC industry and continued enrollment growth.
Fall classes, which begin in August, will use thenew Advanced HVAC Applications Lab.
“Having the AHUmakes our program
very uniqueacross the country…”
— Jerry KlinesmithStark State HVAC Coordinator
“…Our new labs will help uscontinue to expand our offerings as technology and the industry changes.”
— Don BallStark State director of apprenticeship and industrial training
and department chair of applied industrial technology
10-foot sheet metal brake donated by
The Timken Company
Reznor 157,000 BTU natural gas heater
donated by Reznor, a division of Thomas Betts Corp. (one of many items donated by Reznor)
Carrier refrigeration cycle training unit
donated by The Timken Company
Stark State gratefully acknowledges the many supporters of the expanded HVAC program
J Guests at the recent annual Ohio Fuel
Cell Coalition Symposium visited the nearly
completed Fuel Cell Prototyping Center at Stark
State and were very impressed. SOFCo-EFS of
Alliance will be the Center’s first tenant and will
operate the Center as a preproduction facility
and a bridge between research in the production
of certain types of fuel cells and the sector(s)
that will produce them. J Stark State College
hosted over 90 dental hygiene educators at the
2006 Ohio Dental Hygiene Educators’
Conference. The keynote presentation, “That
was then, this is now: What happened to my
students?” was given by Trisha Nunn, RDH, MS,
director of the Utah College of Dental Hygiene.
The presentation focused on the “Y generation”
and the challenges dental educators face in
teaching those students. Nunn stressed the
importance of integrating technology in the
classroom and looking at new approaches to the
“old ways” of teaching. J Stark State College
recently inducted 124 students into the Beta
Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta
Kappa (PTK) the international honor society
for two-year colleges. J In addition, the
Stark State PTK was recently named the
Most Distinguished Chapter at the Ohio Region
Awards Convention, a distinction given to the
chapter judged most outstanding in the region,
based on performance in the four hallmarks of
scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship;
attendance at regional meetings; and regular
communication with the regional office and other
chapters within the region. The chapter also
received certificates for achieving Five Star
Status and the 2005 Pinnacle Silver Award for
membership, in addition to several individual
awards and recognition. J PTK member
Dave Sigmund, an applied industrial technology
student, was elected as the Ohio Region Akron
District Representative. J PTK alumni
Julie Sproul and Tonya Strahler were elected
to serve as secretary and membership secretary,
respectively, of the Alpha of Ohio Alumni
Association.8
AROUNDCAMPUS
Nancy Stanwick - Distinguished Teacher Award 2005-06Nancy Stanwick, clinical coordinator and instructor in the Stark State dental
hygiene program, has been recognized as the 2005-2006 Distinguished TeacherAward recipient.
“Nancy has worked tirelessly to ensure student success. In the classroom,the clinic and in the community, she is dedicated to our program,” saidNichole Oocumma, director of the Stark State dental hygiene program.“I’m proud of her and this accomplishment.”
Stanwick has an associate of applied science degree in dental hygienefrom Lakeland Community College and a bachelor’s and master’s of science
in technical education, teaching specialist from the University of Akron. Shebegan her career at Stark State in the summer of 1998, teaching the College’s firstcourse in the dental hygiene program – Head, Neck and Oral Anatomy. Stanwickbecame a full-time faculty member in the fall of the same year.
As a member of the Akron District Dental Hygiene Association, Stanwick servedin several leadership positions including president and vice-president. She served asa student advisor with the American Dental Hygiene Association and as a memberof the advisory committee for the Stark State dental hygiene program. Stanwick hasalso been a member of the Stark State persistence committee since 2003.
Stanwick was selected from a group of four candidates. The nomination criteriainclude knowledge and enthusiasm about their subject matter, strong rapport withstudents, and course organization and content. Nominees must be full-time facultymembers and have a minimum of six semesters of service.
“It is a true honor to be awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award among themany, many distinguished teachers at Stark State College of Technology,” Stanwicksaid. “It is wonderful to be able to represent such a talented group of individuals.”
Patty Meeks - Distinguished Staff Award 2005-06Stark State Career Services Specialist Patty Meeks has been honored as the
recipient of the 2005-2006 Distinguished Staff Award.Meeks was chosen from a group of seven finalists for the award. Finalistsare nominated by their peers and are judged on job performance, personalqualities, customer service, service to the College, communication skills andwillingness to go beyond the call of duty. Each nominee was also requiredto describe a manner in which they helped to advance some aspect of theCollege's Strategic Plan. Hired in 1994 as a member of the Stark County Tech Prep staff, Meeks
was selected as an administrative assistant in career services in 2000 and waspromoted to her current position in 2005.
“Patty is most deserving of the Distinguished Staff Award,” said Rita Ridenbaugh,director of career services. “She has an enthusiastic, positive attitude and a dedica-tion to the success of our College. I am so pleased that she is being recognized.”
Meeks is very involved with the College and the community. She has served on the faculty and staff professional endowment committee, the College 40thanniversary celebration committee in 2000, annual Grad Fair committee, and theannual recognition dinner committee. She also served as secretary/treasurer of theCollege Staff Association. Her community involvement includes several leadershippositions with Jackson Township activity committees, serving as a liaison for Pro Football Hall of Fame Sunday Kickoff Race and as a judge for the Miss StarkCounty Scholarship Pageant.
“Representing the staff of Stark State College is truly an honor,” Meeks said. “We all work daily as a collaborative team to create an atmosphere that is committedto the career success of our students.”
Distinguished teacher and staff awards announced
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Cherie L. Barth, advisor to the Stark State chapter of Phi Theta Kappa,received the organization’s prestigious Paragon Award given to an
advisor with less than five years experience, who has enhancedthe image of Phi Theta Kappa with enthusiasm, dedication, ideas,time and support to chapter officers and members. Barth is also
coordinator of Stark State’s nearly 30 student organizations, providing them with assistance and support for their initiatives in
order to complement the educational environment and enhance student life on campus. She earned her associate degree from Stark State and her bachelor’s degree from Malone College.
Cynthia A. Close, associate professor of administrative informationtechnology, is the new chair of the administrative information
technology department. She has taught in the department full-timesince 1996 and prior to that was an adjunct for 17 years. Sheserved as programs coordinator for the department, and was
a member of the steering committee that led the business technologies division’s successful ACBSP accreditation effort this
past year. She is a graduate of Stark State College, received her bachelor’sdegree from West Liberty College in West Virginia and her master’s in education from the University of Akron. She also holds her court reportinginstructor (CRI) certification from the National Court Reporting Association.
Deborah Evans was named 2005 Physical Therapist Assistant of theYear by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA). Evans was
nominated by Stark State clinical instructor, Dr. Edie Benner,and selected by the OPTA board of directors. Evans, a licensedphysical therapy assistant since 1993, has taught at Stark State
for six years. She is also secretary of the east central district of the OPTA and chair of the Physical Therapists Assistant Special
Interest Group, a group that advises the American Physical TherapistsAssociation on issues concerning the profession.
Peter Trumpower is the new director of institutional research andplanning. Trumpower comes to the College from Cleveland State,
where he provided institutional research and planning support tothe Division of Student Affairs and Minority Affairs for six years.In that role, he focused on student retention, assessment and
institutional policy analysis. He also spent two years at the Collegeof Wooster in the office of the vice president for academic affairs as
an assessment consultant focused on data analysis of student learning outcomes within the general education curriculum. For the past seven years,Trumpower has been a statistical consultant for Suburban Medical Labs, Inc.in Cuyahoga Falls, where he provided research and data related to compli-ance issues. Trumpower earned a master of public administration degreefrom Cleveland State University, a master of arts degree in anthropology from Kent State University and a bachelor of arts degree in anthropologyfrom the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Michael Vahila, an adjunct instructor in the massage therapy program since 1999, has graduated from the American Institute
of Alternative Medicine and is now national board certified inacupuncture (NCCAOM). Vahila, a licensed massotherapist, is alsoa Traditional Reiki Master and certified in the St. John Method of
Neuromuscular Therapy. Vahila opened an acupuncture practice inCanton and offers acupuncture at his private office as well as at the
Belden Village Pain and Wellness Center.
WORTHNOTING Stark State College business technology division receives
national accreditationThe business technology division of Stark State College
has received accreditation by The Association of CollegiateBusiness Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Associate DegreeBoard of Commissioners.
“Stark State College and our outstanding business technology faculty have shown our commitment to teaching excellence by participating in the accreditationprocess, achieving this important accreditation, and thencontinuing the process of quality improvement,” said Stark State College President John O’Donnell.
“This accreditation is evidence of Stark State’s commitment to quality business programs,” added Michael L. Bodnar, dean of the business technology division. “We believe that this accreditation is an importantstandard for our students and for the businesses employingour graduates.” Bodnar explained that the business depart-ment chairs and faculty participated in the accreditation toensure that the teaching and learning processes within thebusiness technology program meet the rigorous educationalstandards established by the ACBSP. The ratification ofaccreditation by ACBSP covers a ten-year period, duringwhich Stark State must continually reaffirm its qualitythrough quality assurance reports.
ACBSP’s mission is to establish, promote, and recognizeeducational practices that contribute to the continuousquality improvement of business education programs,teaching of business courses, and student learning outcomes in colleges and universities throughout theUnited States and abroad.
The Fifth District Court of Appeals, one of the few courts in Ohio that routinely “rides the circuit,” hearing cases in each of the 15 counties that comprise the district, visited Stark State College thisspring. Their visit enabled students and the public to view the courtin action. Three of the six Appeals Court judges hearing civil, criminal and domestic cases at Stark State were left to right: Judge W. Scott Gwin, Judge John Wise and Judge Sheila Farmer.Legal Research and Writing Instructor Martin Olson coordinated the event, which is considered a legal session of the court.
Judges hold court at Stark State
ALUMNIUPDATE
All parents are proud of their children on graduation day, but on May 21 Rick Plumb, a Stark State graduate himself, was especiallybeaming as he watched not one, but three of hischildren take the stage at the Canton MemorialCivic Center to receive their degrees. Pictured inthe center from left to right with their associatedegrees are: Angie Fettler, nursing; Rick Plumb II,civil engineering with architectural and surveyingoptions with distinction, and Ileann Hicks,human and social service technology with distinction. Dad Rick Plumb, a 1994 graduate in human and social services technology, flanksthem on the left and their stepmother MarthaMiller-Plumb, former instructor of English andformer coordinator of Mind Games at Stark State,is on the far right. Truly a proud day for thePlumb family and for Stark State College!Congratulations to all.
Representative W. Scott Oelslager took the podium May 21 at the CantonMemorial Civic Center and told the 533 graduates before him that the title of hiscommencement address was “A Snapshot of the Future.” He paused, smiled andthen said, “I’m looking at it.”
Before nearly 3500 guests, Oelslager related the future of the Stark State graduates to Thomas L. Friedman’s book
The World is Flat. Oelslager spoke of Friedman’s optimismabout the world, but also about the necessity to keep
up in an ever-changing world. He talked about the different types of workers who make up our
“flat world,” as described in Friedman’s book. Rep. Oelslager emphasized that Stark State grads in the audience represented those types of workers,many of whom are in demand globally: accountants, engineers, health care workers, information technology specialists, service workers, auto technology workers, thosewho have the need to update their skills and those who have started a second career.
He praised Stark State for the quality of its programs and its graduates.
“Analysts have always measured society bytheir achieved dreams,” Oelslager said. “I’m sure
you will achieve your dreams.”Oelslager, state representative for the 51st
House District, is a well-known proponent of highereducation and serves as a strong voice for public
education in the Ohio legislature.
May 2006 Commencement: “A Snapshot of the Future”
A Plumb family affair!
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William T. Kemp, ’71, electrical engineering, is a test engineer and radiation safety officer at the Air ForceResearch Laboratory in New Mexico.Kemp began his career after graduationin 1971 and credits Stark State as thefoundation for his career. “I want toexpress my gratitude for education atStark State,” he said. “You planted aseed and I like to believe it took hold andallowed my mind to grow. My success in my career is based on my foundation,and I thank Stark State for that wonderful career.”
Michael McFarland, ’85, design engineering, is president of MICABuilding Company, Inc. in Florida. He andhis wife live in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Ken Hartman, ’88, accounting - electronic data processing option,was recently promoted to controller with Strang Communications, a Christianpublishing company in Lake Mary, FL.Hartman and his wife Rita (Swauger) live in Lake Mary with their two childrenEmily and Robb. She is a 1988 StarkState graduate with a degree in account-ing - CPA option and is currently pursuinga master’s of business administrationfrom Webster University.
Terry Scott Davenport, ’90, civil engineering, was named the June 2005 Akron City Employee of the Month.Davenport is an engineering technicianfor the city. He and his wife Carla live inAkron with their two sons.
Carolotta A. Forester-Langford, ’91,business management, has earned amaster’s degree in human resourcedevelopment from Webster University in Saint Louis, MO. She resides in SanAntonio, TX with her husband Harvey.
Kim (Zumbrunn) Mayberry, ’95,records information technology,
has been promoted to recordsspecialist with TurnerBroadcasting Systems in
Atlanta. Mayberry, Stark State’s1997 Alumnus of the Year, was
previously employed with Time WarnerCable - Northeast Ohio as records coordi-nator. In 2004 she was named ChapterMember of the Year by the Associationfor Records Managers and Associates(ARMA). She currently resides inSnellville, GA with her husband of 33 years, Dale. Their daughter Lisa is a 1999 Stark State graduate with adegree in marketing management.
Jamie (Keim) Wilkes, ’97, nursing,has accepted a position as a
registered nurse in the cardiacunit at Torrance MemorialMedical Center in Torrance, CA.
Wilkes is currently living in Los Angeles, CA where her
husband Christopher, a captain in the Air Force, is stationed. The couple have a son and a daughter.
Judy (Barker) Niskanen, ’98, medicalassisting, is a certified ophthalmic technician with the Cleveland Clinic andhas traveled to the Middle East to carefor patients. Niskanen is hoping to returnto school to obtain a nursing degree. She currently lives in Ravenna with her two sons.
Kurt Hurner, ’01, human and social service, is engaged to be married toRachel Yoder of Copley. Hurner is aMedicaid eligibility specialist/case manager with Healthcare ResolutionServices, Inc. in Akron.
Heath I. McCartney, ’02, mechanicalengineering and ’04, design
engineering, is an applicationdrafter with Wayne-DaltonCorporation in Mt. Hope, OH. In 2005 he married Erin (Waller),
who is pursuing an accountingcertification and degree at Stark State.The couple reside in Massillon.
Stephanie (Richardson) King, ’03,early childhood education, is aprovider network representative withInterplan Health Group. Married toAndrew King in 2005, the Rootstown, OH residents celebrated the birth of theirson Riley in March of this year.
Heather Loew, ’03, accounting, is a financial support coordinator with
Diebold Incorporated in Green, OH. She and her husband Eric, a design engineering instructor at Stark
State, live in Canton.
Nikkol (Hambach) Mendiola, 03, medical transcription,
is working as a medical transcriptionist with Cardio-vascular Consultants, Inc. in Canton. Mendiola is a
resident of Massillon, where shelives with her husband Nicholas.
Roger Werstler, ’04, massage therapy, is co-owner of
Tables For Two, Inc., a couples massage and catering service in Middlebranch, OH.Additional information can be
found at www.tablesfortwo.net .Roger lives in Canton with his wife
WHAT’S NEW with you?If you’ve had a special event in your life recently, perhaps a marriage, birth of a child, job promotion
or a special honor, please let your Stark State College of Technology friends know about it!
Simply complete the form on the Web at www.starkstate.edu/about/alumni/whatsnew.htm
Attach a high resolution photo to your email if you have one or send it to: Stark State College of Technology, The Alumni Office - Rm S200
6200 Frank Ave. N. W., North Canton, OH 44720.
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maintaining a full-time job, teaching part-time and doing her consulting work. She is a leader and an advocate for the health information management profession.”
Of all her duties and accomplishments, Warren says she may take the greatest satisfaction from teaching.
“I love the interaction with students. It’s an opportunity for me to give back the knowledge I’ve acquired and bring myreal-life experiences into the classroom.
“I stand up in the class and I can point to my desk when I was a student and I tell them that I am an example that they can do whatever they want and accomplish whatever they want with their education. When they see the opportunities I’ve been given, they understand that it’s really possible for them to succeed.”
Warren, her husband Bob, who is also a Stark State graduatewith a degree in civil engineering – surveying, and their two children, reside in Jackson Township.
Paula Warren has given more than 28 years to her field.Whether in the healthcare world as director of information services at the Community Health Center, or as an adjunct instructor in health information technology (HIT) at Stark State,this year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year has happily andtirelessly given back to her profession.
Warren began her career in the hospital setting but moved intothe chemical dependency treatment setting at the CommunityHealth Center in 1984. In addition to her duties as director ofinformation services, she is also the privacy officer, charged withensuring compliance with medical privacy laws and acting as theCenter’s liaison with the courts. In 1985, Warren was hired as anadjunct HIT instructor at Stark State. She is also a self-employedhealth information consultant and is currently working with theCommunity Dialysis Unit in Canton.
“My husband says I should get a paper route on the weekends,since I don’t have enough to do,” Warren joked.
Warren graduated from Stark State in 1981, and received herAccredited Record Technician certification that same year. Shecredits Stark State with being the foundation of her career, givingher life-long skills she could apply immediately to her job at
Aultman Hospitaland which helpedher move into ahigher-level positionand a significantraise in salary atRobinson MemorialHospital.
In 1999, Warren received a bachelor’s degree in managementfrom Malone College. She received her registered health informa-tion administrator (RHIA) certification in 2005. She is heavilyinvolved with the national, state and regional health informationmanagement associations and has been a member of the StarkState HIT advisory board since 1994.
“Paula has been a great success story since graduating,” saidDarlene Horn, department chair for HIT at Stark State. “She continued her education and received her certification while
“…The road to my accomplishments runs right through
