2020-21 Awardees

Every year, the Ohio University Alumni Association recognizes the outstanding achievements of OHIO alumni through the Alumni Awards.

The 2020 winners were celebrated in-person at the 2021 Homecoming Alumni Awards Ceremony.

Alumnus of the Year

Frank Krasovec, BBA '65, MBA '66

Throughout his life, Frank Krasovec has demonstrated a unique ability to lead and innovate. After graduating from OHIO, he started his career at PNC before moving to Austin, Texas, where he co-founded the investment firm the Rust Group. After successful ventures in the cable and communications industry, Krasovec next turned to the world of promotional products, growing Norwood Promotional Products to more than $500 million in revenues. Today, he is the co-founder and chairman of Dash Brands, a firm that owns the rights for Domino Pizza in all of China.

Throughout his career, Krasovec has never forgotten his roots at Ohio University, selflessly giving of his time to better the University and especially its students. Under his leadership as chair of The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, OHIO saw its endowment more than double, thanks to Krasovec’s influential role on the Promise Lives Campaign steering committee. He and his wife Margaret are responsible for committing the largest financial gift ever made to the College of Business. Regularly hosting the College’s Select Leaders student group in Austin, Krasovec takes a uniquely personal approach to mentoring OHIO students and recent graduates, helping make connections as young Bobcats follow their passions to successful and fulfilling careers.

Medal of Merit Award

Kevin Everson, MFA '90

With over 150 short films and nine feature films, Kevin Everson is considered one of the most respected artists working in film and media. He studied fine arts at OHIO in 1990 and now works as a professor at the University of Virginia. Everson has received many accolades for his work, including prestigious awards from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Academy, among many more. His work is featured at prominent film festivals, such as Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Medal of Merit Award

Paul Hubbard, BSED '65

Paul Hubbard has dedicated his life to public service. After graduating with an education degree, he taught and held community service positions where he addressed issues of housing, employment, homelessness, and youth services in Toledo, Detroit, and throughout Michigan. Hubbard’s efforts have earned him over 100 awards, including the Detroit Citizen of the Year Award, a Community Service Award presented by Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins, and an appointment by U.S. President Clinton. Hubbard remains active with the Toledo Bobcats and the Ebony Bobcat Network.

Medal of Merit Award

Carolyn Bailey Lewis, PHD '07, EMERT '13

During her extensive career in radio and broadcasting, Lewis made strides as the first African American woman director of WOUB Public Media and the first African American woman general manager of a PBS station in the United States. Lewis is the co-founder and chair of the Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis Family Foundation, which supports individuals with health issues and provides scholarships to the socio-economically disadvantaged. She earned her doctorate in 2007 and since has worked to improve inclusivity through numerous boards and committees focusing on diversity, inclusion, disability, and access.

Medal of Merit Award

Lucian Spataro, MS '91, PHD '93

Lucian Spataro has dedicated his life to advocating for civics education and sustainability. Since his role as president and CEO of the Joe Foss Institute, a nonprofit organization promoting civics education, he has become a senior fellow and director of the Center for Political Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, gathering more than $16 million in grant funding for civics education advocacy. An avid equestrian and passionate environmentalist, Spataro is the author of Ride Across America: An Environmental Commitment, documenting his 2,900-mile, cross-country, record-setting horseback ride to raise funds for the Rainforest Action Network.

Distinguished Service Award

Laura Brege BBA, AB '78

While at OHIO, Laura Brege studied political science and economics in the Honors Tutorial College. She now works as a senior adviser at BridgeBio Pharma, a company that develops breakthrough medicines for genetic diseases. Her invaluable service to OHIO has included terms on The Ohio University Foundation Board of Directors, Ohio University Board of Trustees, and HTC Board of Visitors. In addition to her work on multiple OHIO committees, Brege has served on the board of directors of several public life science companies and chaired the international nonprofit educational organization CIEE.

Distinguished Service Award

Julie Mann Keppner, BBA '02

Julie Mann Keppner currently serves as vice president of product for PerformLine, a platform delivering automated solutions to mitigate regulatory risk for businesses. Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, she has served as the former president of the local OHIO alumni chapter, creating programs such as the Charlotte Networking Week to support current business students. Keppner has also selflessly devoted her time through leadership roles on The Ohio University Foundation Board, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the College of Business Executive Advisory Board.

Distinguished Service Award

David Pidwell, BSEE '69, MS '70

After studying engineering at OHIO, David Pidwell held executive positions with the Rolm Corporation and the Rasna Corporation, a mechanical design automation software company that he founded. He has since joined Alloy Ventures as a partner and now teaches at Stanford University’s Graduate College of Business. A champion of entrepreneurship and innovation, he has been instrumental in launching several OHIO initiatives, including TechGROWTH Ohio, the C-Suite, and the Ohio Innovation Fund. Pidwell’s service has extended to roles on the Ohio University Board of Trustees, The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Russ College Board of Visitors.

Distinguished Service Award

Charles Stuckey, BSME '66, HON '05

With over 30 years of management and sales technology experience, Charles Stuckey is the former chairman, president, and CEO of RSA Security, a leading computer security company. He has served on the Ohio University Board of Trustees, The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Russ College Board of Visitors. His efforts as co-chair of the Promise Lives Campaign Steering Committee were essential to the campaign’s success, and his support was critical to the construction of the Academic and Research Center in 2010.

Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award

Robert Redd, BBA '09

A College of Business graduate, Bob Redd started his career with Dell. He currently works as the director of sales strategy and previously held positions in corporate audit, sales compensations, and integration. As the recruiting liaison for Dell Finance, he works closely with Ohio University’s College of Business to place current students in internships and full-time jobs. He also regularly hosts business students during networking trips to Austin, Texas, where he resides.

Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award

Alyson Shupe, BBA, BA '08

Since studying finance in the College of Business, Alyson Shupe has risen through progressively advanced positions with J.P. Morgan Chase. She currently serves as head of Americas Funds Product Strategy after roles as executive director and vice president of U.S. Funds Product Strategy and as a private banking analyst. She lives in New York City, where she hosts regular visits for current students and acts as a constant resource for young alumni in the NYC area.

Kermit Blosser OHIO Athletics Hall of Fame

Geoffrey Carlston

After leading Ohio Women’s Volleyball as head coach from 2003-2007, Geoffrey Carlston is back in the role. During his first tenure as head coach, the Bobcats reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his five seasons, won the regular-season conference title each year, and finished the five-season span with a 144-22 record. OHIO won 78 of 80 MAC matches, went 14-1 in the MAC tournament, and won four tournament trophies. His .968 winning percentage against MAC foes is the highest in conference history.

Kermit Blosser OHIO Athletics Hall of Fame

Jennifer Scholl, BSED '93

Jennifer Scholl was a four-year letter winner for Bobcats Swimming and Diving from 1989-1992 while studying elementary education. In 1991, she set records for three events: the 100m breaststroke, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. The Swimming and Diving team secured overall MAC championships all four years she was on the team, and she helped secure MAC titles in the 200 and 400 medley relay in 1991 and 1992. She received national recognition in 1991 when she was named an NCAA All-American.

Kermit Blosser OHIO Athletics Hall of Fame

The 1970 Baseball Team

Perhaps the most decorated team in Ohio history, the 1970 Bobcats baseball team left an undeniable mark on the record books. The squad earned OHIO’s 12th MAC Championship, posting a league record of 14-1. The team led the nation in batting average and posted a team ERA of just 3.19. OHIO traveled to the NCAA District IV playoffs, advanced to the College World Series for the only time in program history, and earned a fourth-place finish that stands today as the best-ever finish by a member of the MAC.