The Ohio State University at Mansfield will honor four alumni as part of its Alumni Hall of Fame Awards. The program recognizes graduates who have contributed significantly to their professions and communities.
The Alumni Honors and Campus Celebration will be held on March 28, 2018, 5:30 p.m. in Eisenhower Hall on the Ohio State Mansfield campus.
This year’s honorees are:
Distinguished Alumni
· Patrick Heydinger (Class of ‘70 B.A. Journalism)
Executive Director of the Mansfield, Crawford, Huron, Marion Metropolitan Housing Authorities For more than 40 years, with quiet strength and grace Patrick Heydinger touched the lives of thousands in north central Ohio through his work at the metropolitan housing authority and in his service outside of work with community service organizations.He served on the Ohio State Mansfield Board and been a tireless advocate for the opportunities available on the local campus.
· Col. Kenneth Kmetz (Class of ‘98 B.A. Psychology)
Commander of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group
For Col. Ken Kmetz, the Ohio National Guard and The Ohio State University at Mansfield were a combination that opened wide the doors to his professional career. The now commander of the Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group was able to rise swiftly through the enlisted ranks to that of First Sergeant, then through officer ranks to Colonel, after getting a first-class education close to home.
Emerging Alumni
· Matthew Failor (Class of ‘07 B.F.A. Photography)
Manager and Dog Trainer of Alaska Icefield Expeditions, Inc.
Matt Failor is currently participating in the last great race, otherwise known as the Iditarod. In 2018 he ranked 13th in this physically demanding contest, with 2019 race prospects outstanding.His unusual path to accomplishment as a musher and manager and dog trainer of huskies in Alaska is not what he expected, but believes he developed the skills to take it on as a student at Ohio State Mansfield.
·David Yoder (Class of ‘12 B.A. English)
Digital Service Manager at Source Brand Solutions
At barely 30 years old, David Yoder is regularly called upon by the best organizations in the media industry for his audience expertise, technical know-how, and marketing insight. Most recently, he participated in an exclusive Facebook Membership Accelerator project. He was one of 50 people in the country to be selected.
Eleven people were nominated for this year’s awards. Others who were nominated include:
·Mary Amos Augsburger, Executive Director of the Ohio State Bar Association
·Patricia Brewster, Children’s Department Manager at the Mansfield Richland County Public Library
·Kelly Anne Christiansen, Director of Human Resources for Richland County
·Mel Dean Coleman, Associate Program Professor and Program Coordinator at Nova Southeastern University
·John Grove, Farm Services Officer and Account Specialist for Farm Credit Mid-America
·Thomas Russell, Founder and President of Heritage Christian Counseling Ministries
·Steven Tier, Reading Intervention Teacher at Mount Vernon City Schools
All nominations are kept for at least three years so they can be considered by future selection committees.
“The Alumni Awards Program at Mansfield recognize Buckeyes who go to amazing lengths to make our community and region a better place.More importantly, these individuals signify for our current students exemplary career and community achievements, all built upon their foundation at the Mansfield regional campus,” said Ohio State Mansfield Development Director Cindy Wood.“All of our nominees represent exceptional career or community service, and the independent selection committee had a very difficult job.”
Tickets to the Alumni Honors and Campus Celebration event are $25 per person; please call 1-800-678-6011 to RSVP. The media is invited to attend.