Spring 2021 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
OHIO making headlines
Bobcats make the news—and the OHIO community proud—every day. Read about a few of the Ohio University alumni, students, faculty and staff who have made headlines in recent months.
April 1, 2021
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In the sports spotlight
The Bobcats fell just short of a Nov. 27 win over No. 8 Illinois, but a little storytelling by the ESPN broadcasters thrust OHIO point guard Jason Preston into the sports spotlight and onto the airwaves. Preston’s journey to and performance at OHIO was featured by media outlets that include NBC News and the NCAA news site and inspired many to stand up and cheer.
OHIO research lands on the cover of the Nat Geo
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Professor Lawrence Witmer’s research made the cover of the October issue of National Geographic Magazine. The behind-the-scenes look at how medical CT scanning is allowing scientists to better understand extinct animals also gave two OHIO students an opportunity to work with one of the publication’s renowned photographers.
Bobcat takes the helm at Ohio Department of Health
In early November, as cases of COVID-19 started hitting new records in Ohio, Stephanie McCloud, BSJ ’92, MA ’93, started making headlines statewide. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed McCloud, who previously ran the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the director of the Ohio Department of Health, where she is overseeing operations and administration.
CNN features alumnus’ portraits, perspectives of region
While the eyes of the world were fixated on the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, CNN’s home page spotlighted Rich-Joseph Facun, BSVC ’01, and his new book, Black Diamonds, a visual narration of the “community and cultural identity” of southeastern Ohio. An Ohio University photographer, Facun’s work is regularly featured in Ohio Today.
TIME highlights pollution-to-pigment project
A collaboration between OHIO Professors John Sabraw and Guy Riefler and Rural Action to clean streams polluted by acid mine drainage while producing pigment continues to pick up steam and make headlines. TIME Magazine highlighted the project, which is expected to create local jobs and revenue to treat some of Ohio’s worst acid mine drainage sites.
A game-changing Bobcat makes Forbes’ 30 Under 30
College of Business alumnus Matt Benson was one of 12 entrepreneurs named to Forbes’ Class of 2021 30 Under 30 in the gaming industry. The 23-year-old Benson is the founder and CEO of eFuse, a professional hub for esports and video games that has generated millions in funding.
Videos earn student a following, a firing and a hiring
Working at an Athens paint store, Tony Piloseno fell in love with the art of paint mixing, a craft he shared in videos on TikTok. The OHIO senior amassed 1.5 million followers—and a pink slip from the business’ parent company. Piloseno’s story went viral, landing him a job at a Florida paint company.
Feature photo by Abigail Dean, BSVC ’ 21
