ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio University Eastern Campus Honors Convocation will take place on Friday, April 28 at 7pm in the Health and Physical Education Center.

This year’s class features 46 degree recipients in fields such as applied management, communication studies, criminal justice, early childhood education, exercise physiology, health services administration, history, human biology, middle childhood education, social work, specialized studies, and technical and applied studies.

The main speaker for the event will be Ohio University alum Ben Porter. Ben is currently the Superintendent of the Union Local School District and interim principal of Union Local Middle School. Prior to being named superintendent in 2014, he was the Special Education Coordinator for the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities and ultra-successful boys’ basketball coach at UL. Ben served as coach from 2007 to 2016, winning two OVAC titles along the way, as well as a trip to the regional tournament in 2015. He also enjoyed coaching success at his alma mater, leading the Ohio University Eastern Panthers to an Ohio State Regional Campus Championship in 2006. In addition, Ben played basketball at the Eastern Campus from 1994-97, before finishing his degree at the main campus in 1998.

The student speaker, Danica Wharton, earned a bachelor’s degree in health services administration, and will begin graduate school this fall at West Virginia University in pursuit of a master’s degree in public administration. The Union Local grad was very active during her four years at OUE. She served as President of the Rotaract Club, Secretary of the College Republicans, and was a member of the Bobcat Ambassadors. Danica was also employed on campus in the Student Services department, the Media Center, and as a student tutor.

A reception for the graduates and their families, faculty and staff will be held immediately following the ceremony.