Campus Achievements and Noteworthy Stories

Dr. Joshua Sumpter has been named chaplain and executive director of Christian Ministry at Ashland University, his alma mater. With pastoral and academic experience from Waynesburg University, he will guide students' spiritual development. A passionate mentor and speaker, Sumpter returns to AU with a deep commitment to faith-based leadership and service. Read more.

Baldwin Wallace University students embraced global learning through study abroad programs in Japan, Greece, Zambia, Ireland, Spain, and Guatemala, gaining cultural insight, independence, leadership skills, and hands-on career preparation. Many experienced their first time abroad, navigating new environments while applying academic knowledge in real-world contexts, strengthening both personal growth and global understanding. Read more.

Bluffton students Trevor King ’28 and Logan Daugherty ’27 received 2025 Summer Discovery Grants, earning $1,500 each for unpaid vocational experiences. King will shadow lab professionals in Ohio, while Daugherty will intern in Washington, D.C., gaining hands-on medical experience. Click here to learn more.

For 75 years, Capital University’s School of Nursing has led with innovation, compassion, and excellence. From pioneering curriculum changes to holistic care, global experiences, and a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, the school continues to shape skilled, caring professionals while honoring a legacy of leadership, service, and transformative education. Read more.

Cedarville grad Ramen Felumlee ’24 turned post-college rejection into purpose, becoming a financial literacy teacher and cross country coach at a Dayton high school. A former All-American athlete, he now mentors students facing real-life challenges, using his passion for running and perseverance to inspire both in and out of the classroom. Read more.

More than 750 alumni returned to The Hill for Reunion 2025, including 130 from the Class of 1975. The weekend featured class celebrations, inspiring panels, campus tours, and a moving tribute to beloved professor David O. Woodyard. Reunion gifts totaled $14.5 million, led by a $9.6 million gift from the Class of 1975. Read more.

Simon Tanner, a Findlay High School senior, made history as the University of Findlay’s first public high school student to earn a degree through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. He graduated college hours before prom. CCP offers Ohio students free college courses, fostering academic growth and early college success. Read more.

Franklin University’s Dr. Wendy L. Eaton, MPA Program Chair, has been appointed to ICMA’s Graduate Education Committee. Her three-year term supports the University’s mission to align academic programs with workforce needs, enhancing public service education and ensuring students gain real-world leadership experience that prepares them for impactful careers in local government. Read more.

Heidelberg University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program received a $2.25 million HRSA grant to support aspiring mental health professionals. Over four years, the funding will provide stipends, advanced training, and community outreach, addressing Ohio’s mental health workforce shortage—especially in rural areas—while expanding access to affordable, trauma-informed counselor education. Read more.

Hiram sophomore Nathan Cooper and his brother Chase won $4,300 at two pitch competitions with their mobile golf simulator startup. Representing Hiram’s Entrepreneurship High Performance Program, they took top honors at both IdeaBuild and the regional ideaLabs contest, impressing judges with their innovation and strong business presentations. Click here to read more.

John Carroll University has launched the COMPASS Program, an initiative supporting students with learning differences. Funded by the Noetzel family, the program begins in Fall 2025, offering academic, social, and career resources, promoting inclusion and student success through a supportive cohort model. Read more.

Kenyon ranks second among small schools for Peace Corps volunteers, with nine alumni currently serving in eight countries, including Sebastian Gaeta ’24. Since 1961, 243 Kenyon grads have joined the Corps. Faculty credit the liberal arts foundation for preparing students to serve globally with empathy, adaptability, and strong communication and problem-solving skills. Click here to read more.

Lake Erie College celebrates student writers Mackenzie Meeker and Adeline (AJ) Cloutier for their recent literary achievements. Meeker’s flash fiction was published in 10 By 10 Flash, and Cloutier’s poem appeared in Polaris, a national undergraduate magazine. Their success highlights the talent nurtured in the college’s Creative Writing Club. Read more.

The second annual Spectrum of Possibilities Conference is around the corner and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Kerry Magro. This one-day event fosters autism awareness through evidence-based practices, community connection, and advocacy, uniting professionals, educators, self-advocates, and families for learning and meaningful dialogue. Read more.

Tyler McClellan, a Malone University counseling graduate student, earned a $1,000 scholarship from the Ohio School Counselor Association for 2025–2026. Chosen for his standout essay and strong faculty recommendation, McClellan is praised for his compassion, dedication, and servant leadership as he prepares to make a meaningful impact as a school counselor. Read more.

Marietta College received a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce to offer full tuition scholarships for its online “Military Bridges to Teaching” program. Active-duty personnel, veterans, and their spouses with bachelor’s degrees can now pursue Ohio teaching licensure tuition‑free, with personalized mentorship and flexible online coursework. Read more.

In 1919, Florence Roe began her college journey at Mount Union, mirroring many experiences of students today—homesickness, campus life, and academic stress. Thanks to her preserved letters, her story lives on through her descendants, showcasing how the college experience, though evolving, still connects generations through shared hopes, challenges, and memories. Read more.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Africa Nazarene University launched a student exchange program. Robert, a Kenyan law student, explored U.S. justice and faith. Kessy, from Burundi, overcame cultural and academic challenges. Dominic, from MVNU, embraced Kenyan life and diversity. All three returned home transformed—academically, culturally, and spiritually enriched by the experience. Read more about their experiences.

Over spring break, five Muskingum students joined Chaplain Derek Wadlington on a service trip to hurricane-impacted western North Carolina. Partnering with Westminster College, they worked on cleanup and repair projects, gaining hands-on experience in service, reflection, and community building. Click here to read more.

Julia Cronin ’25 received a Fulbright award to research ice cores in Denmark with Dr. Helle Kjær at the Niels Bohr Institute. A chemistry and environmental studies major, she aims to better understand climate change. Inspired by Oberlin’s research opportunities, she plans to pursue a PhD in environmental chemistry afterward. Read more.

Ohio Dominican student Ruth Kamanga participated in a global UN panel on women’s leadership, emphasizing the need for policies that drive real change. Her contribution reflects ODU’s commitment to social justice, global awareness, and empowering students to influence decision-making and gender equality worldwide. Read more.

Ohio Northern University is modernizing its Art & Design major, blending studio arts and graphic design into a flexible program tailored for diverse creative careers. With an emphasis on technical, conceptual, and critical thinking skills, students can personalize their studies with new courses like Digital Technology and Social Media Design, plus recommended minors in complementary fields. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty ensure a hands-on, high-impact learning experience to help graduates thrive in today’s evolving creative industries. Read more.

Ohio Wesleyan’s Woltemade Center has named eight sophomores as 2025–2026 Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars. Selected for academic excellence and leadership, scholars receive $10,000 over two years, take specialized courses, gain internship experience, and engage with business leaders—preparing them for success in business and entrepreneurship. Read more.

Otterbein senior Olivia Shore is making history as the No. 1 ranked women’s wrestler in the 103-pound weight class, leading the Cardinals in their inaugural season. As the only collegiate women’s wrestling team in central Ohio, Otterbein takes the mat at home for the first time on Jan. 28 against John Carroll. A two-time World Team Member for Team USA, Shore continues to break barriers in the sport, just as the NCAA officially adds women’s wrestling as a championship sport. Read more.

For many college graduates, landing a job after earning a degree is tougher than expected. A saturated job market, lack of hands-on experience, and limited career guidance leave many struggling to find meaningful employment. However, Tiffin University (TU) is changing the game with its Dragon Pathway program, structured career services, and emphasis on real-world internships. TU students graduate with the skills, experience, and confidence to stand out in today’s job market. Read more.

Gannon University and Ursuline College have signed a historic agreement to create the largest Catholic higher education system along Lake Erie.

By December 2026, Ursuline will become an additional location of Gannon University while maintaining its distinct identity, academic programs, and mission. Leaders from both institutions emphasize that this partnership preserves their legacies while expanding opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni. With integration efforts already underway, this collaboration sets a new model for Catholic education. Read more.

Walsh University is hosting an International Dinner & Cultural Festival on Saturday, March 22, at the Barrette Business and Community Center. Hosted by Walsh’s World Student Organization, this event will offer authentic international cuisine, live performances, and artistic displays from students representing 36 countries. Read more.

For the second consecutive year, Wilmington College has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Ohio Tree City USA Awards Program and the Arbor Day Foundation. Known for its lush green spaces, including Collett Mall and the Frank O. Hazard Arboretum, WC continues its commitment to sustainability and environmental education. By meeting key criteria—such as a tree-care plan, student engagement, and Arbor Day celebrations—the College highlights the importance of trees for both the campus and the community. Read more.

Sophomore at Wilmington College Olive Iragena, co-founded TWEENS (Together We Educationally Empower Non-privileged Students) to support refugee students in Zimbabwe.

Raised in Tongogara Refugee Camp, she overcame limited resources and cultural barriers to pursue education.

TWEENS provides essential resources, tutoring and exam preparation, impacting over 1,000 students and enabling scholarships for higher education. Iragena, also a Dean’s List student and active campus leader, aims to raise $10,000 during World Refugee Week to expand TWEENS' impact. Her advocacy reflects a commitment to empowering refugees through education, offering hope and opportunities for a brighter future despite adversity.

Click here to read the full story.

Wittenberg University’s B.S. in Exercise Science with a Strength and Conditioning concentration has become Ohio’s first CASCE-accredited program, positioning students for success in the evolving field. With 2030 certification requirements mandating a degree from a CASCE-accredited program, Wittenberg graduates will gain a competitive edge. Students benefit from hands-on internships, expert mentorship, and cutting-edge training facilities, preparing them for careers in strength coaching, fitness, and sports performance. This milestone highlights Wittenberg’s commitment to academic excellence and professional readiness. Read more.

For two decades, Richard Lehtinen, professor of biology at The College of Wooster, has studied plant-breeding frogs, most recently presenting his research at the World Congress of Herpetology in Borneo. His work on the endangered golden treefrog in Trinidad led to a major discovery—its breeding call, previously unknown to science. This finding could be crucial for conservation efforts as climate change threatens its fragile mountaintop habitat. With Wooster students actively involved, Lehtinen’s research is shaping the future of amphibian conservation. Read more.