When Terrence J. “Chip” Bahn, ’75, M.Ed. ’77, Ed.D., was a senior at Admiral King High School in Lorain, Ohio, he wanted to attend 鶹ӰԺ after graduation, but he wasn’t ready. His counselor encouraged him to start at the local community college. As a first-generation college student, this helped him develop the skills and confidence to succeed at 鶹ӰԺ State.
This experience inspired him to create the Dr. Terrence J. Bahn Endowed Scholarship, which will help students who studied at a Northeast Ohio community college to attend 鶹ӰԺ State. This fund was created through a bequest.
“For me, 鶹ӰԺ State was the final piece that led to a higher education career of almost 40 years,” Chip said. “I want to help students make this transition and have the opportunity to achieve their career aspirations as I did.”
When Chip transferred to 鶹ӰԺ State, he wanted to be a broadcaster, but he soon realized it wasn’t the right career for him. He had served as a resident assistant in the dormitories and had seen firsthand the great work done by 鶹ӰԺ State’s student life staff. One day, things just clicked.
“I didn’t fit in commercial broadcasting,” Chip remembered. “One of my peers told me about his experience in the master’s degree program in higher education, and this led me toward my lifetime pursuit.”
After earning a master’s degree at 鶹ӰԺ State, Chip went on to work in admissions and advising at two universities in Ohio before moving to Indianapolis to work at the Indiana University School of Medicine. This is when he decided to pursue a doctorate in higher education and policy studies. He later went on to work at The Ohio State University where he continued to develop future physicians.
“It’s important that students find their passion,” Chip explained. “My path was not preordained. Mentors played a major role. I want them to know that they can be successful and make a difference.”
Chip emphasized the importance of reflecting on your path and using that to inform the ways in which you give back.
“In your career, people influenced your success along the way,” Chip said. “It’s important for you to look back with gratitude and help someone else realize their potential.”
To learn how you can make an impact and leave a legacy while supporting something you believe in, please contact us at giftplan@kent.edu or 330-672-1000, or visit www.kent.edu/legacy.