The Ohio State University at Mansfield has welcomed six inductees who have continued to make an impact in the Mansfield community long after graduation into the newly-created Alumni Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony was held on Thursday, March 22 in the recently renamed Scarlet and Gray Café on the Mansfield campus. The honorees recognized have established distinguished careers in social work, medicine, business, law, and education. Each represents a remarkable achievement and contribution to his or her career.
“Our alumni family is 550,000 strong,” said Dr. Norman Jones, Interim Dean, and Director. “It is a diverse and vibrant community dedicated to making our world better. They are risk-takers and innovators. We want to recognize our alumni and in doing so inspire our students and their new connection to Buckeye Nation.”
The six alumni honored were Christina Barnes, Veronica Groff, Christopher Brown, Deborah Meese Schenk, Daniel Freund, and Michele Gorman.
Barnes completed her undergraduate degree in pharmacy at The Ohio State University in 1997. She then completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati. She currently serves as the director of pharmacy services for the Avita Health System.
Groff graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of science in social work in 1987. She then obtained her master of social work in clinical practice advanced standing program. She is the current president and CEO of Catalyst Life Services.
Brown earned his bachelor of arts in English from The Ohio State University in 2008 and his juris doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Brown is the deputy law director for the city of Mansfield.
Schenk graduated with her bachelor of science in business administration in 1985. After a successful career in banking, she retired in 2015 as president and CEO of Mechanics Bank.
Freund earned his bachelor of science in education in 1970 from The Ohio State University. He is a lifelong educator, who has served as superintendent for four area school districts. He championed the Springmill Learning Center, a current Ohio State Mansfield and Mansfield City School District collaboration.
Gorman graduated from The Ohio State University at Mansfield with her bachelor of science in education in 1974. After years of teaching elementary school, she was instrumental in the founding of the Richland Academy of Excellence charter school in 2010.
For all of the honorees, Ohio State Mansfield will always hold a special place in their life. Barnes said, “I did not start at Ohio State Mansfield thinking I would be a pharmacist. But, I did leave here KNOWING I would be a pharmacist. I think that’s a testament to the support we were given when we started here by those that helped us figure out the college process and find a career that worked for us.”
Freund says the Mansfield campus is what he needed in his life at that time to motivate him into the hard-working educator he is today. “What this campus did for me, it lit a spark. I became a believer that I could be a college student, and if I worked hard, I could do well,” he explains. “I have had an amazing journey over three states and in two years, it will be 50 years in my profession. I owe it all to the Ohio State Mansfield campus.”
The Hall of Fame awards are also motivating current students. Kidron Stamper, a student at Ohio State Mansfield said, “The Hall of Fame wall is a great reminder for students today about the footsteps of those who came before us and where we can go.”
The Hall of Fame is located in the Scarlet and Gray Café in Ovalwood Hall, 1680 University Drive, Mansfield, OH 44906. Student, faculty, and staff, as well as the community members, are welcome to stop by and visit. Ohio State Mansfield will accept nominations each January, with the intent to recognize distinguished alumni annually in March.
Source, Photo: The Ohio State University at Mansfield
