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ST. CLAIRSVILLE Ohio University’s Eastern Campus honored graduates, scholarship recipients, student leaders and special guests at the Honors and Recognition Convocation on Friday evening at the Health and Physical Education Center in St. Clairsville.
Campus Dean Paul Abraham welcomed the 72 graduates and honorees. He was followed by the student speaker, Morgan Stalder; the keynote speaker, Kristen Kroflich; and special guest, John Mattox.
“Tonight’s event represents a critical rite of passage for our students who have persevered through many hours of study, exams and paper writing to reach their goal of completing a degree,” Abraham said. “It is a momentous and hard-to-reach accomplishment, which bookmarks a critical juncture in life. Simply put, tonight marks the beginning of what comes next for our graduates.”
Stalder, a member of the 2016 graduating class, earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology and plans to attend medical school at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine this fall. She graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 2014 and achieved a perfect overall grade point average of 4.0 during her career at Ohio University. Stalder attended the Eastern Campus full time during her junior and senior years in high school and is graduating at 19 years of age. In addition, she was a student employee in the student services department.
“I was an uncertain 16-year-old high school student when I began taking college classes at Ohio University’s Eastern Campus,” said Stalder. “Needless to say, I grew up a lot here over the last four years. I also learned how to study, study, and study some more, as our esteemed faculty challenged me to strive for excellence.”
“The decision to stay at the Eastern Campus was an easy one when I graduated from high school two short years ago,” she continued. “I received personalized attention from the faculty that has prepared me properly for medical school, developed friendships with a great group of people, and I was able to earn a degree from Ohio University without accumulating any student debt. This is most important, especially when considering the costs of graduate school.”
Keynote speaker Kristen Kroflich graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 2000. The Yorkville native earned a bachelor of specialized studies from Ohio University in 2004, while taking undergraduate classes entirely at the Eastern Campus. Kroflich followed this same path in graduate school, earning a master’s of social work from Ohio University in 2007, without ever leaving the Eastern Campus. She then decided to attend law school and graduated magna cum laude from Capital University with a juris doctor degree in 2011. She passed the bar in 2012 and is now employed as an assistant city attorney in Columbus, Ohio.
“I am truly honored to be back at my alma mater addressing you today,” said Kroflich. “It is humbling to have a chance to give back, ever so slightly, to a university that has given me so much.”
Kroflich continued, “I chose Ohio University’s Eastern Campus because it appealed to my sense of community. I grew up in the same parts as most of you standing here today; the faculty at OUE helped me to transition into the professional world by way of a close-knit learning environment that I will be forever grateful for.
“I hope you appreciated the small class sizes and the personalized experiences you received at the Eastern Campus as much as I did. Outside of life’s lessons with close family and friends, you will likely never have a learning experience as tight-knit as your classroom environment at Ohio University’s Eastern Campus going forward.”
Kroflich finished, “The diploma you are about to receive is more than a piece of paper. It is more than the culmination of years of hard work. That degree is your ticket to pursue your dreams … whether you continue your education or enter into your work field. It is your first step to making yourself a better you, and your community a better place to live. Congratulations and best of luck on your journey.”
Bill Willan, executive dean for regional higher education, then announced that John Mattox has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Austin C. Furbee award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Ohio University and the community.
“It is my honor to recognize Dr. John Mattox as the Furbee award recipient here tonight,” said Willan. “Dr. Mattox has been a champion of social justice both in his role as the curator of the Underground Railroad Museum in Flushing and in his many volunteer activities with area social service and education agencies. Ohio University Eastern has been fortunate to have access to his experience and wisdom during his years of service on its Coordinating Council, and his selection for the Austin C. Furbee Award is a well-deserved recognition of his many contributions to Ohio University, the community, the state, and nation.”
Abraham concluded the ceremony by congratulating this year’s candidates on earning their Ohio University degrees.
“I feel confident that we are sending the graduates into the world inspired to make a difference and with more courage and confidence than when they came through the doors a few short years ago. Congratulations to all of you on a job well done.”
Ohio University Eastern Honors and Recognition Convocation
Academic Awards
Outstanding Bachelor of Applied Management Student Malachi Benesh
Outstanding Communication Studies Student – Neal Davis
Outstanding Early Childhood Education Student Erica Clark
Outstanding Middle Childhood Education Student Eli (Mark) Svercek
Outstanding Physiology of Exercise Student Morgan Stalder
Outstanding Social Work Student Courtney Miller
OUE 2016 Graduation List
Associate in Applied Science: Rachel Benda, Bellaire
Associate in Arts: Brittany Hodgson, St. Clairsville; Abbigail McMillen, Barnesville; Alisa Payne, Wintersville; William Payne, Steubenville; Mark Svercek, Caldwell; Justin Wilson, Salesville
Associate in Science: Allison Campbell, Beallsville; Kelsey Douglass, Barnesville; Lauren Hall, Adena; Scott Jackson, Bridgeport; Jesse Merckle
Baccalaureate Nursing: Lakleesha Harris, Youngstown, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts: Gavin Collins, Martins Ferry; Jason Moore, St. Clairsville; Dana Sandoval, Saint Clairsville; Hanna Taylor, St. Clairsville; Luke Wharton, Martins Ferry
Bachelor of Criminal Justice: Rachel Benda, Bellaire; Dena Jaegar, Wheeling
Bachelor of Science in Applied Management: Amanda Barcroft, Cadiz; Malachi Benesh, Bellaire; Gary Davis, Hopedale; Joseph Dick, Lewisville; Casey Digity, St. Clairsville; Taylor Hill, Powhatan Point; Shawn Hursey, Uhrichsville; Megan Lallathin, St. Clairsville; Katie LeCron, Lafferty; Jesse Merckle, Sardis; Alisa Payne, Wintersville; William Payne, Steubenville; Caitlyn Romshak, Flushing; Taylor Zink, Clarington
Bachelor of Science in Communication: Neal Davis, St. Clairsville; Megan Lallathin, St. Clairsville; Alisa Payne, Wintersville; William Payne, Steubenville; Caitlyn Romshak, Flushing
Bachelor of Science in Education: Breanna Beck, Shadyside; Tucker Brown, Sardis; Erica Clark, St. Clairsville; Casey Davis, Bellaire; Nicole Filippi, Salt Lake City; Sabrina Metz, Bellaire; Chelsea Parks, Shadyside; Sarah Potter, St. Clairsville; Bethany Steele, Bellaire; Kayley Stephens, Woodsfield; Mark Svercek, Caldwell; Alisha Thompson, Jewett; Miranda Treglia, Mingo Junction; Morgan Young, St. Clairsville
Bachelor of Science in Physiology of Exercise: Michael Androsko, St. Clairsville; Ashley Campbell, Shadyside; Lauren Elliott, Shadyside; Joseph Hutton, Rayland; Madison Kinder, Shadyside; Mark Snyder, Belmont; Morgan Stalder, Martins Ferry; Riley Watson, Bethesda
Bachelor of Social Work: Rebecca Antley, Wheeling; Jennifer Blazevich, Bridgeport; Corianne Cain, St. Clairsville; Nicole Dawson, Martins Ferry; Miranda Delancey, Byesville; Brittany Hodgson, St. Clairsville; Lisa Lohsl, Wheeling; Courtney Miller, Bethesda
Bachelor of Specialized Studies: Elizabeth Bowman, Cadiz; Axel Maxwell, Tiltonsville; Rosemarie Rockaway, St. Clairsville; Janice Showalter, Bethesda
Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies: Paul Huffman, Wheeling;