Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the most prestigious award presented by the Otterbein Alumni Association. Traditionally presented to only one individual per year, this award was established in 1951 to honor graduates of Otterbein University who have achieved recognized national or international prominence in their chosen career and have made significant contributions to their profession, community and the lives of others. The recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award represents the ideal of a committed, industrious, and caring individual to whom the Otterbein community may look as personifying the University’s mission.

Since earning his degree from the New York University School of Law in 1966, Thomas C. Morrison has tried more than 60 cases and has argued over 35 appeals in courts across the country. Specializing in commercial litigation, he became widely known in the '90s for his expertise in the field of false advertising, a fairly new area when he helped develop it at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler LLP. He has successfully represented a number of large pharmaceutical and consumer-product companies in major trials, including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Time, Inc., Pfizer, Pizza Hut, Abbott Laboratories and Crayola. He has even represented Bill Cosby in a jury trial (which he won). While his career is time consuming, Thomas continues to make Otterbein a priority. He joined the University Board of Trustees in 1988 and has served in various capacities, including Board Chair since 2005. Under his leadership over the past eight years, Otterbein's science and equine science facilities were upgraded, the first female president was hired, and Otterbein has grown from a college to a university, expanding its majors and areas of study. We honor Thomas C. Morrison for his distinguished career as well as for his commitment to Otterbein University.

• Captain, Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, 1966–1970
• Partner, Royall, Koegel & Rogers, New York City, 1975–1977
• Partner, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler LLP, 1977–2009
• Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, 2010–2013
• Recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America for advertising litigation
• Listed in the Guide to the World's Leading Trademark Law Practitioners, Euromoney Legal Media Group, 2004
• Otterbein University Board Chair, 2005–2013
• Chair, Investment Committee, Otterbein Board of Trustees, 1995–2005

Brian Hajek has made significant contributions to the nuclear engineering field and nuclear engineering education by sharing his expertise with nuclear engineering professionals and students throughout the United States. Graduating from Otterbein College, Brian began his career with Battelle Memorial Institute finding a passion for the blue glow of the nuclear reactor core and working with the U.S. Navy to extend the core life for submarine power generation. He then joined The Ohio State University where he obtained a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. He managed the OSU Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, founded the OSU Nuclear Services and Training Laboratory, and transitioned to become a faculty member with the OSU Nuclear Engineering Program. There he researched expert systems, digital control, and power plant operations, popularized the Introduction to Nuclear Science and Engineering course, which enabled the establishment of an Undergraduate Nuclear Engineering Minor at OSU for the first time. Even while he devoted his career to education at Ohio State, he served the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a Certified Operator Licensing Examiner for ten years, and was appointed by the NRC Commissioners to the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel in 2008. With two bachelor’s degrees from Otterbein University, one in physics and one in math, and his MS from The Ohio State University, Brian has worked to raise the educational opportunities in his field. He enabled the nuclear engineering undergraduate minor programs at Wilberforce University and Central State University, and brought nuclear power plant systems and operations into the higher education community using distance learning. He is responsible for the only full-function simulator-integrated systems course in the United States. Brian also co-founded Nuclear Education and Training Services, Inc., an organization that provides operations, analysis and training services to the nuclear utility industry and government organizations, both domestically and internationally. He currently teaches and leads research at OSU.

• Elected as a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society in 2002.
• Recognized for the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award for the 2010 Nuclear Engineering Program.
• Awarded the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Arthur Holly Compton Award in 2008 as the International Nuclear Educator of the year.
• Nominated by his students for admittance to the ANS Honorary Alpha Nu Sigma as a distinguished university faculty member—only the 17th person (and the last) in the world to be so designated.
• Encouraged diversity in nuclear engineering education by partnering with two Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Ohio, Wilberforce University and Central State University.
• Founded and led the Midwest Nuclear Training Association (MNTA) Annual Instructor Workshop for 15 years which served nearly 150 nuclear instructors from all over the United States each year.
• Chaired the ANS Education and Training Division, the Reactor Operations Division, and the Human Factors Division.
• Popularized the introduction to nuclear science and engineering course at OSU.
• Married to Edith Sheets Hajek '66; daughter Rachel Hajek Hall '01 married to Matthew Hall '99 and proud grandfather to Logan (13), Cameron (8), and Reid (7).

Thanks to David Yohn's lifelong research of cancer-causing viruses, we now have a clearer understanding of the role of viruses in poliomyelitis, cancer and AIDS. He spent endless hours working in laboratories, writing grants, publishing research papers, serving on committees and teaching young research scientists. His cancer investigation also led him to establish two important research organizations: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Diseases. We applaud Dr. Yohn for his unparalleled commitment to changing - and saving - lives.

• Earned his doctorate in philosophy at The Ohio State University.
• Worked as a researcher and professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Received a 10-year award from the National Cancer Institute to explore possible virus causes of cancer and leukemia.
• Composed over 120 publications in the fields of virology, immunology and oncology.
• Wrote numerous grants that were fully funded and resulted in scientific breakthroughs in cancer research.
• Established the Kristine Yohn Wellness Program Endowment at Otterbein, which provides support for students dealing with mental and physical health problems.

Established in 1966, the Special Achievement Award recognizes excellence and high professional achievement by an individual in his or her field of endeavor. The award is presented to Otterbein graduates whose career contributions have significantly enhanced their profession at the local or regional level and/or the organization to which the recipient is employed.

In 1998, after teaching high school math for four years, Jeri Close left to pursue a career in the business world. In her first role as corporate training and education manager for Sky Financial Group in Youngstown, she was responsible not only for training incoming employees after an acquisition, but for helping them understand and appreciate their new roles in the organization. In 2004, Close became vice president of commercial banking for Huntington Bank (which had acquired Sky Bank) in Salem, Ohio. Not only was she the first female corporate banker in the region, she was named Lender of the Year during her first year in the position. She joined Prima Health Care in 2009, once again educating and training employees as the organizational development manager, then vice president of operations. Most recently, Close moved to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown as manager of physician practices. Throughout her career, she has made it a priority to focus on the “human resources” component of an organization—helping employees improve their performance and make the most of their own abilities. It is something she strives for in her own life as well. Close recently started a nonprofit organization, One Horse Nation, to provide therapeutic horseback riding to young people with mental and/or physical disabilities. 

• First person under the age of 30 on senior management team at Sky Bank/Citizens Banking Company, 2000
• 40 under 40 Honoree, Mahoning Valley, 2010 
• Advisor, Village Varieties 4-H Club, 2000–present 
• Board of Directors, Kiwanis Club of Salem, 2005–present 
• Board of Directors, Salem Chamber of Commerce, 2006–2008 
• Founding member, Salem Area Enterprise Development Forum, 2006 
• Instructor, Kent State University, Salem, 2004–present 
• Volunteer, St. Ann’s Church, Sebring, 1995–present

Shortly after receiving a post-master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from Otterbein University in 2006, Ruth Downing founded Forensic Healthcare Consulting to provide education and training to medical and legal professionals on the multidisciplinary response to victims of violence. A registered nurse for over 30 years, and a forensic nurse for 15, Downing has been active in county, state and national initiatives addressing interpersonal violence. She has provided expert testimony in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and strangulation, and has educated nurses, physicians, law enforcement, social workers and grand juries on these topics. Since 2008, Downing has collaborated with the International Justice Mission, the River Church Community in San Jose, California, and Paz y Esperanza in Peru, traveling to Peru to train physicians, nurses, attorneys, law enforcement officials and social workers on the maltreatment of women and children. Her goal—both in the United States and Peru—is to help physicians and nurses understand the medical and legal needs of victims of interpersonal violence, and to help law enforcement and prosecutors recognize the health-care issues of these individuals. 

• Member, Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses;
  President, 2008
• Member,  Advisory Team for the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention at the Family Justice Center Alliance, San Diego, CA
• Member, Ohio Family Violence Prevention Advisory Council, within the Office of Criminal Justice Services
• Member,  Ohio Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board
• Member, Ohio Sexual Assault Task Force
• Member, Central Ohio Rescue & Restore Coalition
• Member, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• Member,  Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses
• Presenter, International Association of Forensic Nurses Scientific Assembly
• Presenter, National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence

After receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree from The Ohio State University in 1974, Dr. Michael Leadbetter discovered his passion for plastic surgery during a rehabilitation fellowship in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. He completed a second fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons and Rotary International in London, England, as well as his surgery residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. After a three-year stint as director of the Emergency Medicine Center at Middletown Hospital in Ohio, Dr. Leadbetter went on to complete specialty training in plastic surgery at Cincinnati’s Christ Hospital in 1981. In 1994, he and five other surgeons established the Plastic Surgery Group in Cincinnati, where he continues to practice today. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Leadbetter has completed numerous procedures during his career, but each surgery is unique and based on the individual patient. About 60% of his practice is plastic surgery, while the other 40% is reconstructive. His integrity has been recognized by his peers, who have named him a Top Doctor in Cincinnati magazine for the past 11 years. Although his career can be time consuming, Dr. Leadbetter volunteers his medical expertise to the Cincinnati Music and Wellness Coalition, a program of Global Music and Wellness, a national foundation that promotes recreational music making to decrease stress and increase wellness in cardiac rehabilitation, pain management, stroke recovery and much more. 

• Named Top Doctor, Cincinnati Magazine, 2000, 2003–2013
• President, Board of Governors of the Ohio State Medical Alumni Association, 2013–present
• Member, American Medical Association
• Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Fellow, American Society for Laser Medicine, Inc.
• Past board member, Lipoplasty Society
• Board member, Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons,
   current secretary/treasurer
• Member, Cincinnati Music and Wellness Coalition, a program of
   Global Music and Wellness
• Board member, Reid Rizzo Foundation
• Board member, Cincinnati Friends of Charity
• Focus of the book, Coming Back to Baseball, by Mike Shannon, 2005

Steve Johnston ’82 Currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Financial Corp. and its subsidiary Cincinnati Insurance Company, Steve Johnston has enjoyed a successful career in the insurance industry for over 30 years. During his junior year, he accepted an internship as an actuary—without knowing what an actuary actually did. He enjoyed the challenge, however, and decided to pursue it as a career after graduation. With the help of a referral from Otterbein math professor Dr. Richard Yantis, he secured an actuarial position at State Auto Insurance. He eventually became manager of the actuarial department, and in 1997—at the age of 38—Chief Financial Officer. Steve joined Cincinnati Financial Corp. in 2008 as CFO, and was promoted to his current position in 2011. As CEO, Johnston has learned that his most important role is as "chief communicator." Using objective criteria, Forbes magazine ranked Cincinnati Financial as one of the most trustworthy companies in 2012, and the company received the highest score in the large market capitalization category. Steve is extremely appreciative of the Otterbein experience—both in the classroom and as a member of Coach Reynolds’ basketball teams—and for the positive influence on his work ethic, his leadership style and integrity, and his dedication to a lifetime of learning.

• Fellow, Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS)
• Member, American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA)
• Competent Toastmaster (CTM)
• CAS Audit Committee member, 2007–2010
• Chair, CAS Risk Management Committee, 2006–2009
• CAS Latin America Regional Committee member, 2003–2008
• Chair, CAS Investment Committee, 2000–2003
• Ex Oficio, CAS Finance Committee, 2000–2003
• Member, Otterbein Alumni Council, 2004–2008
• Assisted Coach Dick Reynolds, 2004–2007
• Honored by college of mathematics during Otterbein’s Sesquicentennial, 1997
• Named Senior of the Year in college of mathematics, 1982
• Co-Captain of the 1981 Final Four basketball team

For the past several years, Lou Ann Layton has served as managing director and U.S. Financial and Professional Liability Practice (FINPRO) Leader for Marsh and McLennan, one of the largest risk management companies in the world. Based in New York City, she is also a senior Directors and Officers insurance advisor for some of Marsh's largest clients, including Apple, JP Morgan Chase and Lockheed Martin. She got her start in the insurance industry when she was referred by former Otterbein football coach Rich Seils for a summer job. After graduation, she accepted a position at another Columbus insurance company, before moving onto Pittsburgh and San Francisco as an underwriter then broker. She began working for Marsh and McLennan in 1987, taking on increasingly challenging roles as New York leader, then West Zone and Northeast Practice Leader before heading up the U.S. division. She honed her leadership skills at Otterbein, where she learned to motivate and guide others as president of Tau Epsilon Mu. As one of the few female executives at Marsh, Layton advocates for other women in the industry, serving as a mentor and providing advice to those just starting out.

• President, Tau Epsilon Mu, 1980–1981
• Created the FINPRO Global Advisory Board, 2001; chair of Board, 2001–2009
• First woman to receive the Statesman Award, 2012
• Joined Board of Trustees of the Fiver Children's Foundation, 2012
• Business Insurance Power Broker Award, 2006, 2007, 2010
• Business Insurance "Women to Watch," October 2006
• Frequent guest speaker at corporate governance and insurance conferences

As the newly appointed president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice, John Wentzell oversees venue management services at over 50 stadiums, arenas and entertainment complexes throughout North America. With over $750 million in annual revenues, Sportservice provides hospitality and retail management services to various venues. In addition, he is responsible for Delaware North's European businesses, which range from sports venues to airports and travel destinations. Since joining the company in 1996, John has held a number of key leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of TD Garden, Boston's premier arena, which is owned by the company and is home to the NBA's Boston Celtics and the NHL's Boston Bruins. In that role, he was instrumental in bringing the 2004 Democratic National Convention to the arena. In 2007, he was named president of Delaware North Companies Boston, and of the firm's operations in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. During that time, the Boston business experienced record growth and results. Even with all that he has accomplished, John continues to give back to his community, hosting the "Table of Friends Event," which feeds over 500 homeless people at TD Garden, and supporting numerous charitable organizations, including the Sean McDonough Charitable Foundation and the Massachusetts Salvation Army. His generosity even extends to his alma maters, Otterbein University and Shrewsbury High School.

• Board of Directors, Boston Municipal Research Bureau
• Board of Directors, Massachusetts Salvation Army
• Board of Directors, Sports Museum of New England
• Board of Directors, Sean McDonough Charitable Foundation
• Hosts the "Table of Friends Event" at TD Garden. Considered "the biggest Thanksgiving dinner in Boston," the event brings entertainers, former Bruins and Celtics players together to feed over 500 homeless people.
• Received the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Mark H. McCormack Dept. of Sport Management at Isenberg, University of Massachusetts-Boston, 2006–07.
• As general manager of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward Convention Center, oversaw its final design, construction and opening, early '90s
• Received master's degree in sports and facility management from the University of Massachusetts, 1984

Certified public accountant, business consultant and entrepreneur Richard Fetter took what he learned in the corporate world and applied it to higher education with great success. After earning his degree from Otterbein in 1973, he began his career at his family's fertilizer business, Morral Chemical Company, a manufacturer and packager of liquid fertilizer. He eventually became partner, treasurer and vice-president at the company. Following his career at Morral Chemical, Richard earned his doctorate degree at Indiana University and joined Butler University in 1992. He has held various appointments at Butler including faculty in the College of Business, dean and interim provost. In 2006, he also helped co-found the private equity company, Tillery Capital, with one of his former students. During Richard’s time at Butler, his achievements included:

• Led the growth of the Butler University College of Business to one of national renown, most recently ranked 135th in the U.S. News and World Report 2011 list of Best Business Schools.
• Business Week most recently ranked Butler’s MBA program 37th nationally among part-time MBA programs, and its undergraduate program is ranked 58th nationally.
• Helped obtain the largest gift that Butler University had ever received—a $22 million donation from the Lilly Endowment.
• Instrumental in creating the Butler Business Accelerator, a program whose goal is to "…dramatically improve the design and delivery of business education…" via the "real life, real business" ethos of the college; Butler’s College of Business is one of the few in the country with its own consulting practice, private equity/mezzanine investment fund, and $1 million SMIF (student-managed investment fund).
• Widely published on topics ranging from leadership to consumer behavior and presented throughout the world.
• Recipient of the Mortar Board Outstanding Professor Award and the Alpha Kappa Psi Outstanding Professor Award.

Ronald Moomaw is a medical renaissance man, applying his knowledge to everything from public service and higher education to corporations and the military. After graduating from Otterbein, Ronald went on to earn his doctorate degree at Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since then, he has served in the U.S. Air Force, taught at the university level, worked toward a bully-free America and started his own company, Neurobehavioral Systems, which is making its national debut this year. He is currently developing advanced evaluation and assessment tools for people in high-risk environments around the world. He is also employed by the Johnson Space Center in Houston as a flight surgeon and psychiatrist, providing direct support to astronauts and their families.

• Develops countermeasures for isolation and communication desynchrony as part of a Flight to Mars research proposal.
• Member of the NASA support team during the recovery of the Chilean Miners in 2010.
• Serves as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
• Serves as incident command director for Wyle Engineering and Integrated Services, a Houston organization that specializes in life sciences research, space medical operations and engineering.
• Serves as president of the Houston Osteopathic Medical Association.
• Serves as director of psychiatry for "I'm Bully Free."
• Serves on the governing Board for the National Commission for Correctional Health Care.
• Served as a major in the U.S. Air Force, where he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.
• Provided 23 years of private psychiatric practice.

Randy Adams is proof of the prolific talent in Otterbein's theatre department. The former high school English teacher won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for best musical of 2010 for Memphis, which he's now producing on Broadway. He is also one of the founding partners of Junkyard Dog Productions, a theatrical producing organization. While he's certainly passionate about the work, Mr. Adams is equally committed to helping budding musical writers, launching one of the most distinguished new works programs in the country. We acknowledge and appreciate Mr. Adams for high professional achievement in the service of others.

• Worked as managing director at the Virginia Stage Company and TheatreWorks.
• Sat on the Board for Leadership Palo Alto, Leadership Mountain View and the Council for the Arts Palo Alto.
• Served as an on-site evaluator for the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
• Received Silicon Valley's 2002 Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award from the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits.
• Holds the position of vice president of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

Ever since he graduated from Otterbein in 1970, Michael Ducey has worked hard to achieve profound success in the business world. Now retired, he has been the president, CEO and director of two extraordinarily successful companies. A veteran executive, he is known for an open communication style, respect for his staff and customers, and strong business performance skills. We pay tribute to Mr. Ducey for professional achievement in his field.

• Was President, CEO and Director of Borden Chemical, Inc., a $2 billion diversified chemical company.
• Held the position of CEO and Director of Compass Minerals International, Inc., the world's third largest producer of salt, with annual revenues of $1 billion.
• Sat on the board of UAP Holdings Corporation, the largest independent distributor of agricultural and non-crop inputs in North America.
• Serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at TPC Group, Inc., a major diversified chemicals company.
• Served on the Otterbein Board of Trustees, the Otterbein MBA Advisory Board and as Vice Chair for Constituent Groups for Otterbein's Annual Fund National Volunteer Council.

Dr. Fulton dedicated his life to serving the country in the Federal Bureau of Intelligence. At different points in his career, he worked the streets of New York City, investigated the murder of Malcolm X and even saved the Statue of Liberty from losing a limb. After retiring, he became a college professor of business law and law enforcement, and served on the staff of a private security training and consulting firm. We honor Dr. Fulton for his inspiring career achievements.

• Served in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps during the Korean War.
• Graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
• Worked in the FBI as a field agent, Assistant Special Agent, Chief of Research and Training in the Intelligence Division, and Deputy Assistant Director of the Intelligence Division.
• Selected to be the first representative of the FBI to attend the prestigious Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy, a yearlong State Department program for senior government officials.
• Graduated from the FBI's Senior Executive Program and the U.S. Attorney General's Senior Executive Seminar.

This new award was recently established in 2006 to honor an alumna/us who has exemplified the college’s philosophy of concern and responsible commitment to society demonstrated through a distinctive impact of volunteer service to the community beyond the call of business or professional duty.

For the past 15 years, Mara Matteson has taught third–sixth grades at Cochiti Elementary School, a public school that serves two Native American pueblos and several small, rural Hispanic communities in northern New Mexico. Mara has also been instrumental in helping a fellow teacher open a unique school for Cochiti Pueblo students that pairs indigenous language immersion with the Montessori method of instruction. After six years of hard work and planning, the Keres Children’s Learning Center (KCLC) opened in 2012, welcoming ten Cochiti Pueblo preschoolers. The children learn entirely in their native language, Keres, from two Montessori-trained teachers and an aide, who are all native speakers. This past fall, 16 children enrolled in the program. The next step for KCLC is to open an elementary classroom for students ages 6–12, who will learn in English and Keres. Although Matteson is busy with her current role as lead teacher at Cochiti Elementary, she continues to volunteer for KCLC, helping to write grants and raising funds for the coming years. She also serves as secretary of the Board.

• Fourth-generation graduate of Otterbein University 
• Communications specialist, Ohio Department of Education, 1990–96 
• Earned post-baccalaureate certification in elementary education, University of New Mexico, 1998 
• Earned elementary Montessori certification and master’s degree in education, Loyola University, 2005 

Soon after Amanda Slager Pickerill and Craig Pickerill moved their family back to her hometown of Washington Courthouse, the couple realized the area was facing an economic crisis and that many people needed assistance. Along with other community members, they envisioned a central location where those in need could acquire gently used clothing and household items at no cost. When the old Sunnyside Kindergarten building came up for auction, the Pickerills purchased it for use as a community center. In September 2009, the newly named Well at Sunnyside opened with a Free Store for clothing and personal items. The nonprofit organization is an ecumenical ministry supported by 32 area churches. Shortly after it opened, Amanda and Craig helped build a kitchen, and meals are now being served. Last year alone, over 16,000 free meals were provided to community members, including children in the summer lunch program. Other free offerings include a laundry service, back-to-school supplies and tax filing. They plan to open a free medical clinic this year. In 2010, the two were honored by the American Red Cross as Hometown Adult Heroes for their contributions to the Well. They are just as active today: Amanda coordinates the Free Store and Craig is President of the Board of Directors. 

Craig:

• CEO, Patient Safety, Inc., 2007–present
• Volunteer treasurer of YMCA of Fayette County
• Board Treasurer/leads adult study group at Grace United Methodist Church, Washington Courthouse
• Founder and CEO, Sleep Care, Inc., 1995–2011
• President, Ohio Sleep Society, 2008–2010
• Vice President, Hear the Cry, fund-raising organization for African AIDS programs, 2007–2010

Amanda:

• Practicing psychologist, Washington Courthouse and Wilmington, Ohio
• Teaches free parenting classes
• Teaches an adult Sunday School class and assists with Youth Program, Grace United Methodist Church, Washington Courthouse
• School psychologist for various Franklin County districts, 1995–2002
• Received a PhD in psychology from The Ohio State University, 1996

Doug and Julie Sharp are the co-founders of the Lettuce Work Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing job training and employment for young adults with autism located near New Albany, Ohio. Their work with school age children with autism led them to recognize the growing need for additional training programs post-high school to help young adults on the autism spectrum become independent, self-supporting adults.

Described as "social-enterprise," Lettuce Work will begin this year supplying central Ohio restaurants with a custom mesclun salad mix. Lettuce Work employees will be involved in every aspect of the business, from growing to sales, to help build meaningful job skills and improve their ability to interact in an actual work environment. In addition to their work with Lettuce Work, Doug is a vice president at Grange Insurance and Julie is a teacher at Oakstone Academy in Westerville. For all they have done – and continue to do to serve others – Otterbein presents the Sharps with the Alumni Community Service Award.

• Doug is a former board president of Oakstone Academy.
• Doug is a former board member of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus and the Epilepsy Foundation.
• Doug received the Community Service Award 2008 from the Ohio Professional Insurance Agents Association.
• Doug was named fundraiser of the year by the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus.
• Julie was instrumental in starting the Middle School program at Oakstone Academy and now works as an Intervention Specialist in the High School. Oakstone Academy has been recognized nationally as one of the premiere schools for children on the autism spectrum and for its successful use of inclusion as a teaching method.
• Doug and Julie are active volunteers for Autism Awareness.
• Doug and Julie are the proud parents of Daniel and Ryan who fuel their passion towards the Lettuce Work Foundation.

Helping children isn't just a day job for Dr. Susan Wiley, a developmental pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The adjunct associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has refused a full-time position at the hospital so that she has the time to help children in other places. She has given medical and therapeutic care to children locally, nationally and internationally. We recognize Dr. Wiley for consistently demonstrating a true concern and commitment to helping others.

• Organizes annual groups to visit Teseros de Dios, a ministry in Nicaragua for children with disabilities.
• Helped form the Friends of Bradley's House of Hope, Inc., a nonprofit agency in Nicaragua that supports the needs of children with disabilities.
• Volunteers weekly at Crossroad Health Center, an urban medical center for underserved populations.
• Serves on more than five committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Department of Health, and the St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati.
• Won the December 2009 Jefferson Award at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for embodying the spirit of volunteerism.

The Honorary Alumni Award was created in 1950 for the purpose of recognizing and honoring those individuals, who, though not graduates of Otterbein University, have demonstrated outstanding interest, commitment and involvement in its life and activities. Recipients embody the notion that friends of the University, in addition to its alumni, can play an important and vital role in the enhancement of the institution. 

While it's true that Betty Campbell did not attend Otterbein, after 37 years of marriage to John Campbell '61, she is as dedicated to the school as he is. Both volunteer at numerous “O” Club functions, and can frequently be seen at football, basketball and baseball games. It was through Betty's own advocacy efforts that Otterbein's equine science center received a $1.5 million gift from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation. As personal assistant to Knowlton Construction owner Austin Knowlton for 25 years, she understood his commitment to higher education as well as his passion for horses. After his death in 2003, Betty realized that a donation from his foundation would be the perfect way to both honor Mr. Knowlton and to help the college's equine science center. She facilitated talks between the foundation and Otterbein, which led to the generous donation. With their gift, the organization was given naming rights to the facility, which is now the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Studies. Her extraordinary service to Otterbein has earned Betty Campbell the Honorary Alumna Award.

• Personal assistant to Austin E. Knowlton for 25 years.
• Outdoor arena at Otterbein's Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science named in her honor
• Member of American Baptist Church, Westerville, for 17 years. Church Board of Trustees secretary for 8 years, treasurer for 6 years.

Bruce Bailey, son of alumni Frances "Red" '43 and Mary Rolison '46 Bailey, grew up on Center Street in the heart of campus, surrounded by Otterbein alumni. But when it was time for Bruce to attend college, he chose Wittenberg University and Capital University Law School. He began practicing law in 1978 at a firm run by Otterbein alumni determined to help Bruce return to his Cardinal heritage. A partner at Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin and law director for the City of Westerville, Bruce enjoys a close relationship with Otterbein and strived to maintain the same between Otterbein and the City of Westerville. He specializes in municipal law, estate planning, probate/ trust administration, and nonprofits. His service to Otterbein, which is rooted in personal gratitude toward the many Otterbein alumni who helped shape his life, has earned him the Honorary Alumnus Award.

• Served as adjunct professor of business law at Otterbein from 1979-1992. Bill McLoughlin '83, Bruce’s law partner, is one of his former students.
• Provides legal counsel to Otterbein officers and instructors.
• Serves as Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Clements Foundation.
• Responsible for bringing historian Ken Burns to campus.
• Otterbein "O" Club member and lifelong fan of Otterbein sporting and cultural events.
• Played a significant role in various Otterbein projects such as the Clements Center, development of the Kilgore property and expansion of west campus.
• Commissioner of the Ohio Ethics Commission.
• Listed as one of Business First's top lawyers in Central Ohio.

Craig and Cass Johnson have been an integral part of Otterbein University from the moment they arrived in Westerville in 1980. Craig came to Otterbein as a professor in the Department of Music, and later served as director of choral and vocal activities; in 2000, he became chairperson of the department. He also served on the Friends of Music at Otterbein and Westerville Symphony Boards of Directors. Cass joined Craig at Otterbein when she began working in the Office of Admission, ultimately serving as director. Cass worked tirelessly to increase Otterbein’s enrollment, placing an emphasis on academic quality and diversity. Her work with guidance counselors and the Suburban College Fair benefitted Otterbein by building community relationships and encouraging prospective students to come to campus. Although they moved to Chicago in 2011, the Johnsons continue to contribute to Otterbein, returning for events and working toward the establishment of an endowed scholarship. Their three decades of service to Otterbein have earned them the Honorary Alumni Award.

• Craig served as president of the Ohio Choral Directors Association.
• Craig is on the Commission on Accreditation of the National Association of Schools of Music, the organization that accredits college and university music programs.
• Cass served as chair of the Ohio ACT Council and president of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling.
• Cass served as president of the Westerville Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees.
• Craig is the current dean of the School of Music at North Park University in Chicago; Cass is the associate director of admissions at DePaul University in Chicago.

Described as a coach, mentor and friend to over 100 Otterbein track and field athletes, Guido Ricevuto only intended to coach at Otterbein for a couple of years. Twenty seven years later he retired from Otterbein yet his accumulative coaching career grade school, high school, college and Olympians spans to 50 years this year. Guido attended Texas A & M and Franklin University and worked 32 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Services. After work, he would travel to Otterbein to coach many nights until the sun went down. His athletes admired his wealth of knowledge in the events he coached yet more importantly they admired the example he served as a role model and mentor to ensure his athletes grew into quality individuals and moral citizens. Guido arranged for college students to train with Olympians Dwight Stone, Randy Barnes, John Powell and Joe Greene. We recognize Mr. Ricevuto for his countless hours of service to the life of this institution and the life of our student athletes.

• Coached 46 Conference Champions; 48 NCAA National Qualifiers; 11 All Americans; 1 National Champion
• Coached Otterbein Athletic Hall of Famer, Elaine Gonya '92, two-time national heptathlon champion
• Coached over 1000 Otterbein athletes shot put, discus, javelin, pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple jump, 100M/110 M hurdles, 400 IM hurdles, all men decathlon and women heptathlon
• Brought to Otterbein in world class athletics for workouts, clinics, competitions including Randy Barnes, current world and Olympic record holder and Gold Medal winner in the shot put

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have freely and unselfishly given their time, talents, and services for the betterment of Otterbein University. The award was established in 1964 to honor Otterbein graduates who have significantly enhanced the campus community and added a dimension to campus life and the future of the University that made their service distinctive.

Few things are more important to Glenn Day than community service, mission work and helping others. He has lived in Westerville since 1943, growing up on a farm next to the current site of Otterbein’s Center for Equine Science. His career spans 21 years as construction supervisor for Westerville City Schools and 19 years with H.A. Williams and Associates Inc., an engineering firm in Columbus. Today, he applies his career knowledge to his volunteer work, performing construction-related tasks for the Center for Equine Science and mission projects, in addition to his support of other charitable programs.

• Provided many items for the Center for Equine Science which include tool and whip racks, engraved signs, patio furniture, bubbler machine, industrial vacuum and storing leg warp racks.
• Purchased two horse stalls.
• Supports the Otterbein "O" Club.
• Supports the Otterbein Thrift Shop through donations and volunteer activities.
• Fourteen years with Wandering Wheels, a Christian Bicycle Group.
• Provided construction support during mission trips to Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, New Orleans and France.
• Serves at Sunbury United Methodist Church.

Not too long before he passed away, Dr. Croghan expressed thankfulness for having such a wonderful life. Not only was he appreciative of having a successful career in the medical field, he treasured his role as musician, teacher and mentor. Using music as a means to learn and teach about relationships and life, Dr. Croghan especially enjoyed encouraging and developing young talent. In 2008, friends and family organized the Tom Croghan Tribute Concert, which funded an arts education endowment. We remember Dr. Croghan for his professional and personal accomplishments, which are an inspiration to others.

• Served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force; retired after 30 years in the medical profession.
• Served as president and senior partner of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Taught at the Richland Academy Jazz Camp and the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky.
• Produced the Ohio Young Talent Program, which resulted in a professionally recorded CD.
• Helped form four nonprofit organizations in Mansfield: the Renaissance Theatre, Richland Academy, the Jazz Society of North Central Ohio and the Mansfield-Richland County Arts Council.