9i果冻制作厂Editorial Staff, Author at 9i果冻制作厂 Towers

President Thomas J. Kerr

9i果冻制作厂 is mourning the passing of President Emeritus Thomas J. Kerr IV on Aug. 6, 2021.

Kerr joined the faculty in 1963 and served as president from 1971 to 1984.

鈥淭om was dedicated to service and lived that out at Otterbein. Everyone who knew him was better for it, including me. I am proud to have called him a friend and to continue his work of caring for 9i果冻制作厂and our students,鈥� said President John Comerford.

Kerr was born Oct. 8, 1933, in Columbus, Ohio. He received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in 1956, a master鈥檚 degree in history from the University of Buffalo in 1959, and a doctorate degree in social science from Syracuse University in 1965.

He came to 9i果冻制作厂as an assistant professor of history. As a faculty member, he was active on campus committees and served as acting academic dean for seven months from 1969 to 1970.

Kerr was selected from a pool of 117 candidates to become the 18th president of 9i果冻制作厂in 1971, when he was only 37 years old. In his inauguration program, it was noted that although he was 鈥測oung in years,鈥� he already had 鈥渁 wide range of experience as a scholar, teacher and college administrator.鈥�

As a president, Kerr was known as a builder of ideas, implementing innovative programs that established 9i果冻制作厂as a leader in higher education鈥攑rograms that other universities would later implement.

When he accepted the position in 1971, Kerr laid out his plans for his future presidency in a statement, which partially reads: 鈥淧rivate colleges face financial problems stemming from rising costs and increased competition for students. Progress cannot come primarily through growth but must come through reassessment of our present programs. We must also conceive imaginative new programs responsive to the needs of both our rapidly changing society and our students who become its future leaders. We must develop a flexible curriculum combining study and action.鈥�

In response to his insights about the future of higher education, Kerr launched the University鈥檚 nationally acclaimed Integrative Studies curriculum, which remains a model curriculum in higher education today, as well as the continuing education program for adult learners. He also launched Otterbein鈥檚 signature programs in nursing and equine science. He created new partnerships for Otterbein, many of which remain strong today.

In a 2014 interview, Kerr said, 鈥淭he sense of total community and its educational impact, both the curricular and the co-curricular programs, create a unique and really outstanding environment. That community goes out in rings to the metropolitan area, into the larger country and the world.鈥�

Viewing students as future leaders, Kerr valued the role of students in governing the University. As a faculty member, he was involved with the reorganization of the University鈥檚 governance system. During his presidency, 9i果冻制作厂became the first university in the nation to have students and faculty seated as permanent, voting members of its board of trustees.

鈥淭he most important thing you could do in your decision-making process came in the recruiting of faculty and staff members and making sure that they would continue the traditions of the community and decision making in the community, which was a very open governance system鈥nvolving students. It was a learning experience at all levels and a unique system when it was implemented in the late 鈥�60s, and has continued its tradition today,鈥� Kerr said in 2014.

Kerr also led changes to facilities, often with a focus on strengthening the arts at Otterbein. In 1972, he dedicated the new library, which was named the Courtright Memorial Library seven years later and houses the Becker Gallery for art on the lower level. When the Rike Center was built in 1975 to address changing needs for Otterbein鈥檚 athletics program, the shift allowed the Alumni Gymnasium to be renovated into a hub for arts on campus. The gymnasium was reborn as the Battelle Fine Arts Center in 1979. Another advancement in the arts was the addition of the scene shop to Cowan Hall in 1982, which provided space to build more elaborate sets for Otterbein鈥檚 theatre productions.

During Kerr鈥檚 presidency, the endowment rose from $2.9 to $6.9 million. After his retirement from higher education at the age of 50, he continued to raise money to fund higher education initiatives. He later served as president of the Grant Medical Center Development Foundation in Columbus, Ohio.

An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch at the time of Kerr鈥檚 resignation announcement stated, 鈥淭homas J. Kerr IV, president of 9i果冻制作厂College, will end his 13-year tenure in June on a high note. At a time when many small private colleges are in serious trouble, Kerr leaves the Westerville institution with an increased enrollment, substantially greater endowment support, new buildings completed and a number of new programs in place geared to changing educational needs.鈥�

Kerr remained involved with 9i果冻制作厂after his retirement, attending events and even researching and speaking about Otterbein鈥檚 history to alumni audiences and the Westerville Historical Society. The Presidents Gallery exhibit on the second floor of Towers Hall displays his research on the other presidents, as well as Kerr鈥檚 own achievements as the 18th president.

In a 2014 interview, he stated, 鈥�(Otterbein) is a university of opportunity and it has provided countless opportunities for students鈥攕ometimes second chances鈥攁nd the strength of the sense of community is so exceptional that it distinguishes it from many other schools.鈥�

He added, 鈥淚鈥檓 certainly proud that I had the opportunity to serve (at) a university that has so many successful graduates and so many successful stories of their experiences when they were students here.鈥�

President Emeritus Kathy Krendl recognized her predecessor鈥檚 impact on the university. 鈥淧resident Kerr鈥檚 legacy lives on in the essential and distinctive character of an 9i果冻制作厂education and its commitment to being accessible to a diverse population of students. His vision for the institution continues to serve as an important touchstone.鈥�

Bob Gatti, vice president emeritus for student affairs, said, 鈥淭om Kerr was a gentle, thoughtful, kind person who, along with his wife, Donna, loved Otterbein.鈥�

He is survived by his wife, Donna Kerr; children, Thomas Kerr V, Cheryl Kerr Coleman, and Kathleen Kerr Hansen; and eight grandchildren.

See More Photos of
President Thomas J. Kerr 鈫�

Passing the Light of Learning

Retiring faculty leave behind a legacy for new faculty to continue

As students and alumni know well, 9i果冻制作厂faculty members do more than lecture behind a podium. Faculty devote their lives to guiding their students through mentorship, research, networking, and other support that often extends beyond graduation. The work of Otterbein鈥檚 faculty members leaves a timeless impression on students and often shapes the direction of their careers and lives.

At the end of the 2021 academic year, seven highly respected and long-serving faculty members retired. Between them, they committed a combined 201 years of service crafting 9i果冻制作厂students to go into the world and make a difference.

These retirees are passing the light of learning onto newer faculty members, ensuring the 9i果冻制作厂experience they helped to build will continue for generations to come.

Also retiring but not profiled is Professor Lou Rose, who joined the faculty of the Department of History and Political Science in 1991. Rose continues to serve as the executive director of the Sigmund Freud Archives, a role he has held since 2015.

Send these retiring professors a message about how they impacted your time at Otterbein. Post on social media using #OtterbeinTowers.

Each week during Otterbein鈥檚 TuesdayTakeover, students talk about who their favorite professor is and why. Check it out every Tuesday on the .

36 Years

Barbara Schaffner

Associate Provost, Graduate School, Professor, Department of Nursing

Among the group of retirees, the longest-serving faculty member is Barbara Schaffner. She began her career at 9i果冻制作厂in 1985 and, for the past 36 years, has worked in the Department of Nursing and The Graduate School, helping countless students leave 9i果冻制作厂ready to serve others.

As a pediatric nurse and nurse practitioner, Schaffner鈥檚 favorite courses were the clinical related courses that taught child health at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Additionally, Schaffner has advised and advocated for young faculty through the years. She has the following words of wisdom for new faculty:

鈥淢y advice would be to maximize your reach as faculty through the department into campus-wide activities, so you understand and participate in the full campus experience.鈥疷se all the expert educators on campus for ideas, mentoring, and to provide you with constructive feedback on teaching and working with students.鈥�

35 Years

John Kengla

Senior Instructor, Leadership Studies Program

John Kengla has been instrumental in deepening Otterbein鈥檚 involvement with Columbus City Schools (CCS) over the years.

鈥淚n 1989, along with members of Otterbein鈥檚 Education Department, I established the Linmoor-9i果冻制作厂Scholars Program, which engaged students attending Columbus City Schools鈥� Linmoor Middle School in summer programs emphasizing learning and attending college,鈥� he said.

He also established the Ubuntu Mentoring Program (2006-2016), which brought CCS students to campus for mentoring sessions and dinner with college students. 鈥淏y centering our program on group mentoring, the Ubuntu Mentoring Program was able, over the 10-year period, to serve students attending six CCS middle schools and two CCS high schools.鈥�

When reflecting on the footprint he left at Otterbein, Kengla wants to be remembered for his teaching of First Year Seminar, Senior Year Experience, and Integrative Studies courses, along with helping Columbus City Schools students learn about future opportunities and college.

29 Years

Glenna Jackson

Professor, Department of Religion and Philosophy

Glenna Jackson wants her legacy to encompass inclusivity and scholarship. 鈥�9i果冻制作厂and I have been a great match. It has strengthened me, and I hope I did the same.鈥�

Her favorite memory is seeing her students make connections 鈥� especially during her time in Africa watching her students鈥� minds at work through educational trips.

Her advice for new faculty is: 鈥淭he most important thing is to be excited and passionate about teaching and your particular discipline. There is a ripple effect from enthusiasm from a leader onto whomever is being led, particularly in a classroom. Excitement is contagious.鈥�

29 Years

Denise Shively

Senior Instructor, Department of Communication

During her 9i果冻制作厂career, Denise Shively has been deeply committed to experiential learning. She has taken students on trips to serve across Ohio, the United States, and even Africa to expand their education while enriching the lives of others.

鈥淪ome of my favorite times have been with First Year Seminar students in New Orleans when we worked on painting houses following Hurricane Katrina; working with colleague John Kengla and Senior Year Experience students serving breakfast at So Others Might Eat in Washington, D.C.; and helping build a classroom block at a school in Nkhoma Village in Malawi with Integrative Studies students and Glenna Jackson.鈥�

She has left a tremendous mark on campus and outside of the classroom, she has impacted the entire 9i果冻制作厂community with her caring spirit. 鈥淚 would love for students, colleagues and alumni to remember how I care deeply about them as individuals and 9i果冻制作厂as an institution.鈥�

21 Years

Regina Kengla

Senior Instructor,鈥疌oordinator of鈥� Writing Services and Supplemental Instruction, Academic Support Center

Regina Kengla has played an invaluable role providing extra-curricular academic support to students to help them succeed in their classes and teaching Integrative Studies courses and courses related to her work in the Academic Support Center.

鈥淚 love teaching Integrative Studies, Argumentative Writing 鈥� all the courses I’ve taught. Groups in my Integrative Studies class designed service-learning projects, and it was exciting to see them bond, create their projects, and develop their understanding of and commitment to the public good,鈥� Kengla said.

She sees the 9i果冻制作厂community come together when her past students connect with current students. 鈥淚 have so many good memories of my students, and several have come back to meet with my current students, like Valentina Dixon 鈥�13, who has worked tirelessly to tell of her father’s wrongful incarceration; Bertha Jaramillo-Alfaro 鈥�19, currently a paralegal focusing on鈥痠mmigration, constitutional, family, and civil rights; and Tony Bishop 鈥�15, whose work in politics led to him becoming the executive director of the Ohio Black Caucus.鈥�

17 Years

Terry Hermsen

Professor, Department of English

Terry Hermsen taught poetry, com-position, and literature at Otterbein, and was named Ohio鈥檚 co-Poet of the Year for 2009 for his book, The River鈥檚 Daughter.

He often incorporated his passion for sustainability into his work on- and off-campus, and hopes his legacy at 9i果冻制作厂will reflect that.

鈥淚 hope that I will be remembered for my efforts to encourage genuine climate change action on our campus and in our region.鈥�

Hermsen鈥檚 words of wisdom for new faculty are: 鈥淒ream big 鈥� and seek connections with faculty in other departments. My favorite part of teaching at 9i果冻制作厂was the willingness of colleagues 鈥� and students! 鈥� in other departments to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects.鈥�

New Faces, Same Commitment

As beloved faculty members retire, new members are making their mark. In their relatively short time on campus, these professors have made a big impact.

2018

Aida Odobasic, assistant professor in the Department of Business, Accounting, and Economics, was named the 2021 New Teacher of the Year at Otterbein. She describes her teaching philosophy as being centered on creating an atmosphere in which students feel empowered, engaged, and ready to take ownership of deep and meaningful learning.

鈥淚 enjoy Otterbein’s close-knit community where I was able to feel at home relatively quickly after I joined in 2018. Also, I enjoy working on projects, events, and in committees with colleagues across different departments and disciplines,鈥� she said.

Odobasic loves to teach Principles of Microeconomics and challenges her students to develop critical thinking by asking thought-provoking economics questions.

鈥淚t is exciting since it is typically the first time students are exposed to the field of economics and some find it fascinating and decide to take more economics classes. I love those moments.鈥�

2019

In only two years, Alexander Rocklin, assistant professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy, has developed a new major for students, opening more opportunities within his department.

鈥淎t Otterbein, I have had the opportunity to create an exciting new interdisciplinary major, philosophy and religion. In our major, we ask big questions and develop skills in conversing across differences of worldview and life experience 鈥� giving students a deeper understanding of the views of peoples around the world and helping them develop their own answers along the way.鈥�

Madelyn Nelson 鈥�23 is a public relations major from Coshocton, OH. She is involved with the Student Alumni Board, Host and Tour Program, and Sigma Alpha Tau. She is an intern in Otterbein鈥檚 Office of Marketing and Communications.

An Authentic Call to Serve

These alumni use their life experiences to help others as leaders of non-profits.

How do people find their calling 鈥� their passion to serve? For these alumni, some of it came from personal challenges and pain. With insight, support, and experiences from Otterbein, they found themselves and the inspiration to help others.

Please note: This story includes content related to suicide and self-harm.

Tyler TerMeer 鈥�05

鈥淥ne of the things I have learned over time is that you only have control over so much. Every decision you make in life should come from your authentic self,鈥� said Tyler TerMeer 鈥�05, CEO of the Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) in Portland, OR.

Growing up, TerMeer struggled to understand his racial identity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. His journey to becoming his most authentic self began at 9i果冻制作厂.

As a theatre design and technology major, TerMeer once dreamed of becoming a production stage manager. During his senior year his life took a new direction when, at the age of 21, he was diagnosed with HIV.

This diagnosis would not stop his ambitions, but it did shift his focus 鈥� it was important to continue to live life as a strong and inspiring openly gay man of color and a powerful voice in advocating HIV policy.

鈥淲hen I learned of my HIV diagnosis, I did not know what my future would be. The people around me taught me that I was going to live and empowered me to be the best version of myself,” TerMeer said.

Soon after graduating, a unique opportunity came along to start a small retail clothing business, which he ran for six years before taking his career in a new direction. After receiving support and services from a local HIV organization, he decided to put his efforts into helping 鈥渢hose living with HIV have the best chance at living and thriving with their disease.”

Over the next several years, he worked for HIV-focused non-profits in Ohio, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and finally Portland, OR, where he leads CAP.

鈥淚 saw this amazingly progressive, well-respected non-profit that had so much potential. I had seen an amazing transformation beginning to happen in Portland and I wanted to be a part of it,鈥� said TerMeer.

CAP provides compassionate and inclusive health and wellness services to the LGBTQ+ community, those affected by HIV, and others. Recently, CAP opened the PRISM Health clinic.

鈥淭his new healthcare experience was designed for and by queer people to be a resource that is life-affirming and life-changing for LGBTQ+ people,鈥� said TerMeer.

In recognition of his many contributions to the community and those around him, TerMeer was recently named the 2021 Executive of the Year by the Portland Business Journal.

鈥淟ife throws curveballs both good and bad,” said TerMeer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 up to us to be open to a new unexpected journey.”

Amber Horton 鈥�16

When the virtual meeting starts, the two 10th-grade football players aren鈥檛 saying much, but the meeting leader, Amber Horton 鈥�16, keeps trying to connect with them as they work on their art project about Black History Month.

鈥淲here are we with cutting out our letters?鈥� asks Horton.
鈥淚鈥檓 on 鈥楥,鈥欌€� responds the one student with his video on.
After an excruciating pause, a shy student puts in the chat, 鈥溾€楢.鈥欌€�

Horton knows how tough it is for teens, especially those who struggle with mental health issues, to express themselves. That is why she wanted to create an outlet for students and co-founded findingBLANK in 2017 in Cleveland with her mother, Debbie. Along with several volunteers, she plans and administers after-school and pop-up programs for grades K-12.

Her awareness for this issue grew from a painful place back in high school with a friend who spread lies about her. Once a social butterfly, Horton would walk into empty classrooms, early for every class because no one would talk to her.

鈥淚 felt like no one would miss me. I took a handful of pills, and I thought that would have ended it all,鈥� said Horton.

Fortunately, Horton鈥檚 mother found her and took her to the emergency room. A psychiatric hospitalization became the turning point in Horton鈥檚 life.

She graduated from high school and enrolled at Otterbein, where she majored in sociology with minors in psychology and anthropology. A life-changing study abroad trip made her decide to start her own non-profit, findingBLANK, after she graduated.

鈥淚 feel like if I can give teens the tools to express themselves 鈥� through writing poetry, or journaling, or painting, or creating music, or dance movements,鈥� said Horton, 鈥渢hat’s a way for them to not only express themselves, but also connect to other people to combat a lot of the issues that they’re going through.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 relaxing,鈥� says a boy as he glues letters to a poster board. He鈥檚 soon telling Horton he has a job at a restaurant, he plays football, he鈥檚 curious about why slavery started in the first place, and that George Floyd鈥檚 death made him afraid of the police.

The student holds up his finished art. Yellow letters spelling 鈥淏lack鈥� are dotted with small, cut-out pictures. Pieces of paper with 鈥淏LM鈥� and 鈥淲e want peace鈥� stand out in greens and yellows against the black poster board.

He says, 鈥淚鈥檓 going to hang this in my room.鈥�

Catie Duzzny 鈥�21 graduated from 9i果冻制作厂with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public relations. She is currently pursuing her master鈥檚 degree in business administration in Otterbein鈥檚 Graduate School.

Julia Grimm 鈥�22 is a double major in public relations and journalism and media communication. She is an active member of Otterbein鈥檚 PRSSA chapter and is editor-in-chief of T&C Magazine.

Student Fellows Creating Open Dialogue About Race through Oral History Project

Four student fellows are working with faculty mentors to collect oral histories of alumni who are People of Color (POC) in a unique project for Otterbein鈥檚 Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center.

Over the summer, the students conducted phone or virtual video interviews with alumni about their experiences before coming to campus, while they were enrolled, while participating in student activities, and when interacting with the community of Westerville. The calls were recorded to be transcribed and archived by the Courtright Memorial Library for future academic use, and the project will continue into 2022.

9i果冻制作厂Starts Grant-Funded Work on Sexual Violence Prevention

Last fall, 9i果冻制作厂was awarded a $298,658 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice鈥檚 Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to improve prevention education, awareness, and victim-survivor services in response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSAS) in the 9i果冻制作厂community.鈥�

According to Associate Professor Kristy McCray, 鈥淭he OVW grant gives us the resources needed to truly shift the campus culture in how we both respond to and work to prevent DVSAS by working as a community. Together with the Westerville Police Department and the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), 9i果冻制作厂will create a Coordinated Community Response team (CCR).鈥�

Grant Director Susan Wismar is overseeing the effort, which includes representatives from Student Affairs, Human Resources (Title IX), the President鈥檚 Office, 9i果冻制作厂Police, Academic Affairs, and more.

Westerville Community Diversity Leader Connects with Otterbein

The new executive director of Westerville for Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Engagement (WeRISE) has moved into an office provided by Otterbein鈥檚 Office of Social Justice and Activism.

WeRISE Executive Director Ren茅e Thompson points to 9i果冻制作厂President John Comerford鈥檚 words of how 鈥渨e can do so much more when we are not siloed鈥� in her vision for the organization, which was established with assistance from Otterbein, the City of Westerville, Westerville City Schools, and the Westerville Public Library.

鈥淏eing on campus and having the opportunity to learn from and work with young people is so important. These are the future leaders for our world, and they are not afraid to affect changes they see needing to happen. This campus space is the perfect fit for WeRISE,鈥� Thompson said.

9i果冻制作厂Student Government Welcomes First Latinx President

Vice President Cayla Andrick 鈥�22 and President Joseline Martinez-Cortez 鈥�22
(pictured L to R).

The 9i果冻制作厂student body elected two women to serve as the 9i果冻制作厂 Student Government president and vice president for 2021-2022 鈥� including the first Latinx president to lead the organization. President Joseline Martinez-Cortez 鈥�22 and Vice President Cayla Andrick 鈥�22 share their visions and hopes for the 9i果冻制作厂community.

“We want to make sure to pay special attention to university transparency, diversity, student involvement, and mental health, as we begin to heal from the difficult pandemic semesters we鈥檝e had recently,鈥� Martinez-Cortez said. 鈥淪omething near and dear to my heart is diversity and making sure that we are constantly working towards those goals and keeping our community accountable.鈥�

Andrick said their team of officers is poised to achieve great things. 鈥淭he combined backgrounds, as well as our willingness to meet other students in the middle, make us able to represent all of campus,鈥� she said.

New Network Provides Family Connections and Support

Members of the Family Engagement Network, Kathy Cleveland Bull P鈥�22, Tricia Ohler P鈥�22, Mike Rudolph P鈥�23, and Pate Rudolph P鈥�23 (pictured L to R) welcomed families during new student move-in.

The Family Engagement Network launched in April 2021 to provide a voice for parents and family members of current students. This advisory network provides insights on communications and programming targeting our extended members of the Cardinal community.

Future opportunities for parents and family members include a virtual town hall with President Comerford and a session with the career development team on supporting your student in the job search process.

Contact family@otterbein.edu to inquire about joining the Family Engagement Network, and be sure to check out our monthly Cardinal e-News just for parents and families.

Launching the LGBTQIA+ Alumni Network

For nearly 30 years, LGBTQIA+ 9i果冻制作厂students have benefitted from the support, resources, and social interactions provided through the student organization FreeZone. But alumni connections were missing from their toolkit of resources.

The Alumni & Family Engagement team was approached by Suzanne Ashworth, professor of English and advisor to FreeZone, and James Prysock 鈥�09, MBA鈥�19, director of the Office of Social Justice and Activism, about starting an LGBTQIA+ alumni network. Their hope was to provide meaningful connections between alumni and students.

A series of small focus groups were held in spring 2021 that included alumni from multiple generations located throughout the United States. These alumni shared their personal experiences as students and highlighted what they hope to see in an alumni network.

A petition to formally recognize this network will go before Alumni Council in spring 2022.

STEM Students Set Up for Success

An 9i果冻制作厂faculty member once described the energy and educational experience in the University鈥檚 STEM programs as a 鈥渟leeping giant ready to be awakened.鈥� Today, that giant is not only awake, but also catching the attention of state and federal agencies.

Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment Video

STEM Internship Audio

In the past year, 9i果冻制作厂has received major grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, NSF鈥疭-STEM Program,鈥疌hoose Ohio First Scholarship Program, and鈥疕oward Hughes Medical Institution. These grants mean far more than just dollars, and recognize Otterbein鈥檚 academically strong STEM programs, as well as the University鈥檚 purposeful work to diversify STEM fields.

From preparing education majors to teach STEM subjects in under-served schools to creating more opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to major in STEM areas of study, 9i果冻制作厂is strengthening STEM professions as a whole with the support of these grants.

鈥�9i果冻制作厂STEM includes a dynamic, dedicated community of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians that provide a rigorous, hands-on curriculum for students interested in a wide variety of fields,鈥� said Sarah Bouchard, professor of biology and earth science.

9i果冻制作厂has a long history of experiential learning. Educational techniques incorporating hands-on learning and real-world applications can be found in most disciplines across campus. STEM education at 9i果冻制作厂is taking experiential learning to a whole new level and STEM professors are leading the charge.

鈥淵ou鈥檒l typically find our STEM students conducting research in the lab or field, presenting at scientific conferences, interning with one of our many university partners, or shadowing medical professionals in local hospitals and clinics,鈥� said Bouchard.鈥€淭hese opportunities, coupled with our challenging coursework, mean that students graduate with the skills and experience needed for whatever comes next.鈥�

STEM education at 9i果冻制作厂connects teamwork,鈥痑nalytical鈥痶hinking, and 21st鈥痗entury jobs, equipping 9i果冻制作厂graduates with valuable skills to become鈥痜uture leaders and鈥痠nnovators. The grants open these opportunities to students who may not otherwise pursue these careers.

鈥�9i果冻制作厂should be on the radar as a STEM school,鈥� said Mike Hudoba, assistant professor of engineering. Hudoba is the team lead on the Choose Ohio First grant.

Associate Professor of Chemistry Brigitte Ramos agrees. She is the team lead for鈥痮ne of鈥痶he鈥痶wo鈥疦SF grants, which supports recruitment and retention of students from under-represented populations in STEM fields through Otterbein鈥檚 Cardinal Science Scholars (CSS) program.

鈥淭he program is much more than the scholarship money,鈥� she said of the CSS. 鈥淲e offer programmatic support.鈥�

The programmatic support鈥疪amos鈥痗ites鈥痯rovides opportunities outside of the classroom that will prepare students to enter the workforce. The program includes a seminar course where students will gain interview, communication, and relationship building skills, as well as professional development.

Equipping Otterbein

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鈥淭he seminar is one tool,鈥濃€疪amos鈥痵aid,鈥€渂ut we will also be setting up what we call a mentorship triad, where our students will be linked with an upper-level student in their program as well as a professional.鈥�

Students will also be placed in an internship or a research experience after completing their first year in order to get a leg up in their field of study.

Some goals of the鈥�9i果冻制作厂STEM鈥痯rograms include building a community of STEM students, creating diversity in the STEM fields, and building connections with alumni, faculty, and industry professionals.

Kayne Kirby 鈥�02 graduated with a鈥痬athematics鈥痙egree and now works as Grange Insurance鈥檚 director of personal lines pricing.

鈥淩eflecting back on the importance of my 9i果冻制作厂experience, I had some influential people who were able to help shape me,鈥�鈥疜irby鈥痵aid. 鈥淭hey put me in touch with alumni that could help me make that transition from 9i果冻制作厂into my career.鈥�

Hugh Allen 鈥�62, pediatric cardiology professor at Baylor Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital, sees a powerful combination in Otterbein鈥檚 liberal arts tradition and STEM education.

鈥�9i果冻制作厂allowed me to become a well-rounded individual and educator,鈥� Allen said.鈥€淎 liberal arts education while studying science is better than just a science education.鈥�

Engineering graduate鈥疉bby Zerkle 鈥�21,鈥痵aid 鈥淚 think the Engineering Department is really something special. Yes, I gained important knowledge in the classroom, but I also learned how to become a confident, thoughtful, and ethical engineer. If it weren鈥檛 for 9i果冻制作厂and the experiences I had there I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am right now. I am thankful for my time at Otterbein.鈥�

For more information about Otterbein鈥檚 STEM offerings visit .

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Grace鈥疻eidenhamer鈥€�23 is a health communication and public relations major from Westerville, Ohio. She plays on the 9i果冻制作厂women鈥檚 soccer team and is on the executive board of Otterbein鈥檚 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).