麻豆影院

Alumni Life

Sharing the Love

Illustrations by Jason Zehner '10

Innovative, generous, tenacious, committed鈥攖hose are just a few words that describe the 2016 麻豆影院 State Alumni Award recipients, who were commended for their dedication to their professions, communities and 麻豆影院 State at a special ceremony on September 30.

Sponsored by the 麻豆影院 State Alumni Association, the alumni awards are the university鈥檚 most prestigious honor. The following seven recipients epitomize the characteristics of 麻豆影院 State graduates鈥攁nd all share a love for 麻豆影院 State.


George Newkome, BS 鈥61, PhD 鈥66 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10Distinguished Alumni
George Newkome, BS 鈥61, PhD 鈥66

Medina, Ohio; Professor, Departments of Polymer Science and Chemistry, the James and Vanita Oelschlager Professor of Science and Technology, and Vice President for Research Emeritus at The University of Akron

Educational experience: My training as an organic chemist taught me to see the tree in the forest and to have an entrepreneurial
can-do spirit, a hallmark of Northeast Ohio.

Staying connected: Serving on the 麻豆影院 College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board has allowed me to be a part of a dynamic and growing college. I鈥檓 especially proud of forming the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund to help 麻豆影院 State students participate in new start-up companies.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: It laid the foundation for my academic career and my ability to do creative chemistry research.
I鈥檓 still an active researcher with over 500 publications and over 60 patents.


H. John Visser, DPM 鈥78 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10
Professional Achievement
H. John Visser, DPM 鈥78

St. Louis, Mo.; Reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon

Memorable moment at KSU: Attaining #1 status in calculus and inorganic chemistry

Point of pride: Being inducted into the 麻豆影院 State School of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: The warm, supportive atmosphere at the regional campuses. Coming out of high school, I lacked confidence in my academic abilities. 麻豆影院 at Geauga allowed me to take core courses for pre-med. With the smaller class sizes and encouraging teachers, my confidence level increased astronomically. After two years at 麻豆影院 State, I transferred to Hiram and graduated magna cum laude.


Karen Jones Bankston, BSN 鈥84, MSN 鈥90 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10
Professional Achievement
Karen Jones Bankston, BSN 鈥84, MSN 鈥90

Cincinnati, Ohio; PhD, University of Cincinnati; Associate Dean, Clinical Practice, Partnership and Community Engagement, University of Cincinnati

Memorable moments at KSU: Spending time with my classmates in the School of Nursing lounge; going to Ray鈥檚 Place on the last day
of clinicals

Points of pride: Being assigned CEO of the Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, a beloved hospital in Cincinnati. And all the individuals I鈥檝e mentored, watch grow and now see in leadership roles鈥攌nowing I was a part of their success is my success.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: I was a nontraditional student, and Constance Stopper was very supportive. She and the other faculty made sure that we all understood the importance of being a professional nurse. I am proud to be a 麻豆影院 State nurse.


Brooks Sumberg, BA 鈥72 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10Distinguished Citizen
Brooks Sumberg, BA 鈥72

Westport, Conn.; Peace Corps veteran; founder of Harvest Now

Point of pride: My charity, Harvest Now, feeds 35,000 people, including prisoners who grow the food and patrons at food banks.

Inspiration for giving back to community: The satisfaction I get from helping prisoners by giving them a project to work on that provides food for poor people.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: I transferred from Northern Michigan University because I wanted to be at a more cosmopolitan place. 麻豆影院 State was accepting, and they welcomed me.


Gary Brahler, BS 鈥89 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10
麻豆影院 State Advocacy
Gary Brahler, BS 鈥89

Bay Village, Ohio; First Vice President-Investments at Polcar, Brahler, Heil, Belden Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors; chair of the investment committee for 麻豆影院 Foundation and chair of the 麻豆影院 Foundation Board

Memorable moment at KSU: As a student ambassador, I had the opportunity to greet Elie Wiesel [Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor], walk him around campus, take him to the president鈥檚 office and walk him to his speech. It was a thrilling event.

Reason for supporting 麻豆影院 State: Because of what is happening here and the outstanding programs we have. 麻豆影院 State gives students the opportunity to transform their lives.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: I met my wife here, I had a great time, I had fabulous professors, and I spent a lot of time (believe it or not) at the library. 


Damian Beauchamp, BS 鈥12 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10Outstanding New Professional
Damian Beauchamp, BS 鈥12

Durham, N.C.; Chief of Staff and Principal Chemist, 8 Rivers Capital, LLC

麻豆影院 State strengths: It provides exceptional classroom education while allowing one-on-one, hands-on research experiences with faculty who care deeply for their students. Today鈥檚 world demands multifaceted skill sets for success; 麻豆影院 State allows students to become diverse and effective problem solvers.

Career inspiration: When I was 18 years old, I lost a dear friend in a tragic accident; from then on I wanted to make a positive impact on the world. In an organic chemistry course, Professor Alex Seed encouraged me to consider pursuing chemistry. Chemistry touches almost every aspect of life, so it seemed a good field of study.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: The campus, the atmosphere downtown and especially the recent renovations that have transformed the entire feel of the city and the campus.


Jordan Provost, BME 鈥17 illustrated by Jason Zehner '10
Golden Flash
Jordan Provost, BME 鈥17

Navarre, Ohio; Student assistant in the 麻豆影院 Bands Office and apprentice conductor for the Canton Youth Symphony

Career aspiration: To pursue a master鈥檚 degree in music education and become
a teacher.

Biggest accomplishment: So far, it鈥檚 been conducting the award-winning Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra at the final concert of the season in May.

Why I love 麻豆影院 State: The sense of community is ever-present. When I was in 8th grade, I attended my piano teacher鈥檚 recital at 麻豆影院 State and was enthralled with the cool things happening here. I came in 2012 for the summer institute, and I fell in love with the piano faculty. And the campus is just beautiful鈥攊t鈥檚 a great combination of a suburban community and a college town.


illustrated by Jason Zehner '10

 

Now accepting nominations for the 2017 Alumni Awards. Submit your nomination at .

 


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