2022 Awardees
Every year, the Ohio University Alumni Association recognizes the outstanding achievements of OHIO alumni through the Alumni Awards.
Meet this year's winners who will be honored at the 2022 Homecoming Alumni Awards Ceremony.
Alumna of the Year
Dr. Patricia A. Ackerman, BA ’66
Dr. Patricia Ackerman has dedicated her life to education. Over the course of her 35-year career, she taught in the K-12 system and served as a principal and an administrator. A steadfast advocate for underserved students, Dr. Ackerman founded the Taylor Academy in Cleveland to meet the unique needs of this population and established IndeedWeCode in 2015 to help young African American women learn more about computer coding. Today, she is the executive director of the Chalkdust Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides a coding summer camp for African American girls, professional development for K-12 educators, and programs for parents.
Dr. Ackerman’s influence on the world of education extends to Ohio University, where her significant contributions of her time and expertise will have a far-reaching impact, forever. She was the first African American woman to serve on OHIO’s Board of Trustees and as its chair, and she was an influential member of the Presidential Search Committee that recommended the selection of Dr. Roderick McDavis as the university’s first African American president. Dr. Ackerman also completed terms on the Ohio Board of Regents and The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees. She co-founded the Ebony Bobcat Network, and her inspiration and dedication led to the creation of the African American Alumni Heritage Wall in Memorial Auditorium and the Urban Scholars Program.
Medal of Merit Award
Christopher B. Jones, BA ’65
From Ohio University to the halls of Warner Bros. Records, Chris Jones’ monumental career in the record industry saw him contribute to the success of some of the world’s biggest artists, including Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Ray Charles, and The Jackson 5, to name only a few. In 1974, after a leadership role with Motown Records, Jones became business manager for Stevie Wonder, working closely with the musician through the release of “Songs in the Key of Life.” He would go on to enjoy a nearly 20-year career with Warner Bros. Records, including roles as National Director of Jazz and Progressive Music, Senior Director, and Vice President.
Medal of Merit Award
William T. Newman, Jr., BFA ’72
Having served as circuit court judge for Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit since 1993, William Newman was elected Chief Judge in 2003. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Newman was a partner at the law firm of Carpenter, Newman, Martin, Berkowitz and Garnes and held several political positions within Arlington-area governments. Founder and Trustee of the Arlington Community Foundation, Founder of the Arlington County Mentoring Program, and a Trustee of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Judge Newman’s volunteerism extends to past service on The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees as well.
Medal of Merit Award
Marlon A. Primes, BSJ ’86
Marlon Primes has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for the past 27 years, handling a wide variety of complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. He served as President of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the first African American attorney to lead the group, which is one of the largest associations of lawyers and judges in Ohio. Primes has also been President of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, which honored him with its Trailblazer Award. He has served on the Ohio University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, the Scripps College Board of Alumni and Friends, and as President of OHIO’s Columbus Black Alumni chapter.
Medal of Merit Award
Jon J. Snyder, BSC ’87
Shortly after graduating from Ohio University, Jon Snyder began what would become a 30-year career in the medical device industry, culminating in his 2008 founding of Neuros Medical, which developed the Altius® system for the treatment of chronic pain applications. He frequently shares his extensive experience in entrepreneurship and business management with OHIO students through the Center for Entrepreneurship and has served on the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, among numerous other community and industry organizations.
Distinguished Service Award
Dwight L. Ferguson, BSC ’79
Dwight Ferguson is the president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, a nonprofit corporation committed to leadership training and transformational learning experiences in partnership with four California universities. Prior to this role, he was the President and CEO of Naturipe Farms for more than 10 years, overseeing all operations for the berry grower/shipper, which saw more than $1 billion in sales. Ferguson has remained connected with numerous Ohio University Alumni Association networks over the years and has served on the Scripps College Dean’s Advisory Council for nearly 10 years.
Distinguished Service Award
Alex J. Garcia, Jr., BBA ’69
After graduating from the College of Business, Alex Garcia embarked on a 42-year career in manufacturing management, leading to top roles including VP of Operations for Sinter Metals, Managing Partner of Cerberus Capital Management, President and COO of Colfor Manufacturing, and CEO of Flexible Flyer. He has shared his business management acumen with OHIO students as well as College of Business leadership, serving on the College’s Executive Advisory Board for more than 20 years, as well as on The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.
Distinguished Service Award
Beverly E. Jones, BSJ ’69, MBA ’75
Beverly Jones began blazing trails for equity and justice from her first days at Ohio University. As an undergraduate, she was active in issues related to equal opportunity for women. In 1969, she became the first female to enter OHIO’s MBA program. As a graduate student and administrator, she assisted then-President Sowle on women’s issues and submitted a report in 1972 that documented discrimination against OHIO women and served as a blueprint for change, initiating the inclusion of women into the Marching 110. After leaving OHIO, Jones practiced law, eventually joining Consolidated Natural Gas Company as Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy. Today, she is an executive coach, working with a broad client base including the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Smithsonian Institution, as well as trade associations, universities, attorneys, media executives, wealth managers and other professionals. A founding member of the Scripps College Dean’s Advisory Council, Jones has served on The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees and as a professional fellow in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.
Distinguished Service Award
Byron L. Ward, BBA ’89
Byron Ward currently serves as the regional director for corporate engagement at Year Up, a national non-profit organization focused on workforce development solutions with a mission of closing the “opportunity divide” in America. Previously, he held vice-president roles at Microdesk and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. In addition to numerous other volunteer activities at local and national levels, Ward has remained deeply committed to OHIO, serving on The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, College of Business Executive Advisory Board, and the Black Alumni Reunion Planning Committee.
Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award
Matthew A. Barnes, BSJ ’08
The morning anchor for NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio, Matt Barnes has gone from the halls of Scripps College and WOUB to cover the biggest stories in Central Ohio, as well as major sporting events such as the Masters, NBA finals, Super Bowl, and the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympics. Named Best Male TV Personality by Columbus Monthly Magazine, Barnes is also a well-recognized face in Athens, where he has spoken at numerous Scripps College and Alumni Association events, engaged with students, and served as a member of the Scripps College Board of Alumni and Friends.
Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award
April L. Welshans, BSCE ’07
Since graduating from the Russ College of Engineering and Technology in 2007, April Welshans has enjoyed more than 13 years with Stantec Consulting, where she fulfills multiple roles, including geotechnical engineer, project manager, account manager, principal, and Water Business Line Engagement Champion, among others. She resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and stays connected to OHIO through her service on the Russ College Board of Visitors, engagement with the Society of Women Engineers, and visits with current Civil Engineering students about the industry and life after graduation.
Honorary Alumni Award
Dr. Carol Pletcher
Prior to her nearly 50-year career in corporate innovation leadership, Dr. Carol Pletcher met her soon-to-be-husband Wayne Pletcher, BS ’66, a proud Ohio University graduate who firmly believed that his OHIO experience transformed his life. As the couple moved through life and careers, Carol embodied Wayne’s dedication for OHIO, helping honor his commitment through the Wayne A. and Carol H. Pletcher Chemistry Scholarship and, most recently, the Pletcher Science Scholarship. As Carol says, “Always a Bobcat means honoring all the support that my husband received. OU transformed him.”
The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame
Brandon L. Hunter, BSH ’03
Brandon Hunter (1999-2003) was a four-year letter winner for the men’s basketball team. He earned All-MAC Freshman Team honors (2000) and was a three-time All-MAC First Team honoree (2001-03). Hunter is the statistical record-holder for rebounds per game in both the MAC and the NCAA (12.6). He made the MAC All-Tournament Team in 2001 and 2003, finishing fourth in free throws attempted (32) at the 2001 MAC Tournament and ninth in free throws made (23) at the 2001 MAC Tournament. To this day, Hunter still leads the Ohio men’s basketball program in free throws made (561), free throws attempted (923) and total rebounds (1,103). In 2002-03, he also set single-season records for free throws made (199) and for free throws attempted (335).
Kelly N. Lamberti, BSED ’15
Kelly Lamberti (2011-14) the only player in Ohio volleyball history to rank in the top-six in career kills (1,642), service aces (113), digs (1,374) and points (1,891.5) in the rally scoring era. She is also top 5 in kills per set (3.71), attacks (4,763), and points per set (4.27). Overall, Lamberti is seventh in attacks in a season (2014; 1,253) and is fifth in attacks per match (74). She is one of two Ohio volleyball alumnae to be a four-time All-MAC First Team selection and made the MAC All-Tournament team twice (2013-14). Lamberti was named 2014 AVCA All-Northeast Region Honorable Mention, 2013 AVCA All-Mideast Region, 2012 MAC Player of the Year, and 2011 MAC All-Freshman Team. She also earned Academic All-MAC honors three times and was named the 2014 Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Andrew Smiles, BGS ’82
Andy Smiles (1970-73) was a member of the Ohio soccer program. During his career, Smiles earned a multitude of awards, making the All-Ohio and All-Midwest teams three consecutive times (1970-72). Smiles earned All-America recognition twice, making First Team All-America in 1971 and All-America Honorable Mention in 1972. He was awarded the Carl Dale Award (1971), marking him as the top defensive player in Ohio. Smiles was also named First Team All-MAC once (1972).
Frank Solich
Frank Solich (2005-20) became the winningest head football coach in MAC history with 115 overall victories. His 77 conference-only wins rank second to former Central Michigan head coach Herb Deromedi's 90. Solich owns a career coaching record of 173-101. His 16 years of service match Deromedi's (1978-93) for the most in MAC history. Ohio is 115-82 during the Solich era. His 115 victories are the second-most in program history behind Don Peden (121; 1924-46). Under Solich, Ohio had a run of 12-straight non-losing seasons that have included 11 winning campaigns and six years with at least nine victories— including a 10-win campaign in 2011. Ohio captured division titles in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2016. Solich led the Bobcats to 11 of their 13 bowl appearances and the first five bowl victories in program history.
1964 Cross Country Team
The team was crowned with an All-Ohio Championship title and earned one of three MAC titles in program history. The Bobcats qualified for the 1964 NCAA championships, where Elmore “Mo” Banton became the first and only Bobcat to win the tournament, posting a time of 20:07.5. Ohio was represented by six other runners—Lawrence Smith, Robert Crooks, Darnell Mitchell, John E. Blair, Richard Alderfer and Alex C. Jamieson—with Smith and Crooks finishing in the top 25. As a team, Ohio earned the bronze medal. Banton remains in the record books to this day, holding the best time at four miles (1964; 18:46). He was also a MAC Champion in 1965 and is a two-time All-Ohio Champion and All-American (1964, 1965). In 1980, Banton returned to his alma mater as the head coach for men’s cross country and track and field, eventually taking over the women’s programs as well. In the 23 years he coached at Ohio, Banton guided his teams to 10 MAC Championships, he coached four All-Americans and he earned 20 Coach of the Year awards from various institutions and governing bodies.