After 34 years of service to Otterbein, Rocks retired last spring with emeritus status as chair of the Department of Health and Sport Sciences (HSS), concluding a career defined by leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to student success.

Rocks joined Otterbein in 1992 and served as department chair for the final two decades of her tenure. During that time, she helped transform HSS into one of the University’s strongest academic programs, expanding accredited offerings in high-demand fields, improving facilities, and creating more opportunities for experiential learning.

Dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience, Rocks championed best practices across the department and built a team equally committed to student success. Under her leadership, HSS moved into a reimagined facility in 2015 featuring clinical learning spaces, hands-on training areas, and collaborative environments that support both academic excellence and community.

A certified athletic trainer, Rocks also established the Athletic Training program, served as its director, and advised the Athletic Training Quiz Bowl team and the University Student Athletic Trainers Club. She personally mentored students and helped prepare seniors each year for the Board of Certification examination.

For countless students, Rocks’ influence extended far beyond the classroom.

Throughout her career, Rocks emphasized six principles she hoped students would carry beyond graduation: take ownership, lead with empathy, be prepared, give your best effort, build relationships, and care for yourself.

Her impact reached well beyond the department. Rocks served as a faculty trustee on Otterbein’s Board of Trustees, advised the Epsilon Kappa Tau sorority, served on the Curriculum Committee, and represented the faculty as Faculty Athletics Representative.

A committed philanthropist, she supported numerous University initiatives and funds, including the Otterbein Fund, Turf and Track Campaign, Clements Recreation Center, Towers Renovation Fund, Marilyn E. Day Memorial Fund, Sports Medicine Equipment Fund, and Carl and Helen DeVore Memorial Humanitarian Fund.

Rocks has established an endowed scholarship in memory of her twin sister, the Jean A. Rocks Mizia Endowed Scholarship, and through a generous bequest intention, will establish another scholarship that will benefit an athletic training major.

Rocks’ contributions earned recognition both on campus and throughout her profession. At Otterbein, she received honors including the Master Teacher Award, the Women’s Forum Bread and Roses Award, and the Epsilon Kappa Tau Faculty Advisor of the Year Award. She also was recognized by the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association with distinctions including Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year, the Service Award, the Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award, and induction into the association’s Hall of Fame.

As Rocks prepares for this next chapter, her leadership legacy continues through those she mentored. Following her retirement as department chair, HSS Professor Kristy McCray assumed the role.

Her retirement marks the end of an era, but the impact of her leadership, mentorship, and service will continue to shape Otterbein for generations to come.

After 32 years as Otterbein’s athletic equipment and facilities manager, Ford has retired with emeritus status, concluding a career defined by hard work, lasting relationships, and an unwavering commitment to student-athletes.

Ford’s connection to Otterbein runs deep. A 1980 graduate, he returned to his alma mater in 1994 and spent more than three decades helping ensure Cardinals teams had everything they needed to succeed.

From preparing uniforms and equipment to setting up athletic facilities, Ford worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support every game, competition, and athletic event. He was often among the first to arrive and the last to leave, helping create a seamless experience for generations of student-athletes, coaches, and fans.

But Ford’s impact extended far beyond his job responsibilities.

While Ford worked countless games and events throughout his career, it is the people of Otterbein he remembers most fondly.

“As a facilities equipment guy, when we hosted the basketball national championship game, seeing the students fill the stands and the atmosphere created around the game is something unforgettable,” Ford said.

Last spring, Ford was honored with the Support Staff Member of the Year Award at the Cardy Awards, a fitting recognition for someone whose contributions touched every corner of the Athletic Department.

As he begins this next chapter, Ford looks forward to spending more time with family, though leaving Otterbein will not be easy.

“I will miss the people. The students, staff, coaches, and faculty are outstanding. This place is just a great place to be and work,” Ford said.

Though Ford will no longer be working behind the scenes on game days, Cardinals fans may still spot him on campus, cheering from the stands as his son, Brent Ford ’12, announces Otterbein football and men’s and women’s basketball games.

“It is a full-circle moment for me. I am returning home,” Talford McClure said.

She has more than 20 years of experience in equity and inclusion leadership, organizational culture transformation, and strategic partnership building. But she isn’t approaching her new role at Otterbein bringing all the answers — for now, she is focused on listening.

“Getting to relearn the very campus that included me in the ’90s” is among her top priorities during her first year, Talford McClure said. “I want to learn as much as I can from faculty, staff, students, parents and family members, and the community so I can support people in ways that make sense for them, their departments, the students we serve, and the communities we impact.”

As a cabinet-level leader, Talford McClure will coordinate efforts across the University to advance Otterbein’s Belonging Plan and foster a campus environment where all members of the community can thrive. She sees the work as one built almost entirely on collaboration.

“This will be the best part of this work,” she said. “Most everything, if not everything, will be accomplished through collaboration and partnerships with people across our beautiful campus.”

For Talford McClure, belonging is deeply personal. Reflecting on her own student experience at Otterbein, she remembers feeling empowered to share her perspective and participate fully in campus life.

“Belonging for me was being able to use my voice, speak up, and know that my perspective was going to be heard,” she said. “Not necessarily agreed upon, but heard.”

She also recognizes that belonging looks different for every student. “Today, my job is to learn what our students in 2026 need to feel like they belong,” she said. “Belonging is not one-size-fits-all. We all have different experiences and needs that lead us to belonging.”

As she settles into her new role, Talford McClure remains guided by the values that first took root during her time as a student.

Otterbein’s Homecoming Weekend brought Cardinals from across generations back to campus for a celebration of connection, tradition, and Cardinal spirit. Alumni and friends enjoyed class reunions, including the Class of 1976 50th Golden Reunion, special affinity gatherings, the annual parade and football game, and opportunities to reconnect with friends, faculty, and staff during OtterFest. The weekend highlighted the strength of the Otterbein community, honored alumni achievements and donor impact, and showcased the lifelong bonds and pride that unite the Cardinal family.

To view more photos from the weekend visit our Flickr gallery!

May 20, 1926. Otterbein President William Clippinger opened Alumni Extra!, the first issue of the recurring periodical known as Otterbein Towers starting in May 1939, with a letter from the president. He included many themes familiar with today’s readers:

“The leafing of the trees, the blooming of the flowers, and the singing of the birds, indicate that spring is here and summer is near. The campus of Otterbein College was never so beautiful. The soft shades and the rippling leaves, with the cheerful chatter of her students and friends near and far, suggest the approach of the commencement season… One of the largest classes in the history of the college will be graduated.”

“Unbeknownst to me in May 1972, Towers magazine had a picture of me and my UMC confirmation class from Logan, Ohio, witnessing the opening of the Courtright Memorial Library. I was 13 years old. Through the decades, as an employee, when Towers magazine arrived in my campus mailbox, I stopped what I was doing, closed the door, and read the magazine cover to cover. I always beamed with pride in our alumni achievements, my alma mater’s successes, and the people/programs that have impacted others’ lives. Congratulations to the Towers magazine staff through its 100 years!”

– Becky Fickel Smith ’81, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Emerita, has served the Otterbein community since 1977.

“During my senior year I was interviewed by the Towers staff about Greek life representing Sigma Alpha Tau. I loved the cover with all my Greek friends on it and my big ’80s hair picture on the inside. I held onto it for years and eagerly awaited the arrival of each issue to see who got a new job, who got married, and who had a baby. It was our form of social media!

Needless to say, it was a huge honor to come back to my alma mater from 2005-2017 and direct marketing and communications, including Towers operations with longtime editor Roger Routson. During this time, Otterbein said goodbye to President DeVore and hello to President Krendl; we created a Towers editorial team; and debuted a new cover and layout for a fresh look. Most impressive was the team’s coverage of the “Where We Stand Matters” campaign. The donor testimonial stories as to why they gave to Otterbein were so heartwarming and inspiring. Undoubtedly what makes Otterbein shine is its graduates, students, faculty, staff, and donors. Lucky for us, Towers will always tell their stories.”

– Jennifer Slager Pearce ’87, Former Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, 2005-2017