Embracing the Bobcat Spirit

In a very short time, university campuses become more than a home for students; they are stepping stones to success. Many alumni, after making their mark on the world, look for ways to give back to the place that gave them their start and leave a legacy for students to come.

The Ohio University Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Awards recognize those alumni who are making significant contributions on and off campus. An awards ceremony during Homecoming weekend invites fellow alumni to celebrate the newest cohort; this year’s ceremony takes place Sept. 27 at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

“It’s really important to remind all of us in this community that what we do matters, and that the education our alumni—our Bobcat family—graduate with really changes how they interact with the world,” says Jennifer Shutt Bowie, BSJ ’94, MS ’99, executive director of the OUAA and associate vice president of alumni relations for University Advancement. “Our awardees are a tremendous example for our students. It’s our honor as the Alumni Association to celebrate that and to lift that up for all of our students to see.”

Read on to learn more about this year’s awardees, who are setting key examples of resilience and determination.

“I think [Alumnus of the Year] is one of my biggest accomplishments ever,” says Dell Robinson, BSPE ’88, a sports administration professional who has worked for several collegiate athletic conferences and, most recently, executive search firm Spelman Johnson. Coming from a lower-middle-class, blue-collar family in the city of Cleveland and for me to excel, it provides pride for me for the work that I put in.”

Robinson describes himself as having an “uncanny love” for OHIO and recalls his time on campus, especially as a student athlete, fondly. He believes his experience on the football team shaped his work ethic and motivation.

“The day-to-day grind of the workouts, the film, the conditioning—I tried to carry that into my everyday work after I got out of Ohio University,” Robinson says. “To keep some of those elements, to say you want to be a part of the unit—that’s important.”

Robinson has remained heavily involved with OHIO, serving on the College of Business Executive Advisory Board and providing mentorship to current students. Since being named Alumnus of the Year, Robinson has accepted a role as director of the AECOM Center for Sports Administration in the College of Business.

“My legacy and impact say that for any common person, for any common student, you can get to the top through education, hard work and passion,” Robinson says. “For anybody who’s been a friend, a mentee of mine, I tried to help uplift them … [and] get a little bit closer to what their dream is, because that’s what Ohio University did for me.”

He was nominated by Caryn Bailey, senior director of development for major giving in University Advancement, because he represents an excellent legacy.

“There is such a sense of belonging and Bobcat pride,” Bailey says. “To see the sense of pride that Dell has as an alumnus, to see all the excellent things that he does—he exudes excellence.” 

Vernon Sykes, BBA ’74 • In his nearly 50-year career in public service and advocacy, Ohio Sen. Sykes has left an indelible mark on our legislative landscape, championing bipartisan collaborations on policy initiatives in education, business and economic development, and civil rights.

Paula Tolliver, BBA ’86 • A former chief information officer at two Fortune 100 companies, Tolliver’s career reflects her groundbreaking contributions in technology and business. She shares her expertise with OHIO as a member of the College of Business’ Executive Advisory Board.

Keith Wandell, BBA ’72 • Wandell’s generous philanthropy, which includes a $2.5 million endowment to the Wandell Leadership Fellows program, highlights his dedication to fostering leadership excellence among students and leaves a legacy of inspiration and empowerment at OHIO and beyond.

Eldon Hall Jr., AB ’69 • In 2008, Hall and his wife established the Eldon L. Hall Jr. and Susan Hall Scholarship Fund in Economics. He recently surpassed the seven-figure lifetime giving mark, underscoring his profound commitment to enhancing access to quality education.

Constance Lawson-Davis, BSED ’67 • Lawson-Davis is a founding member of the Ohio University Ebony Bobcat Network and has served on the OUAA Board of Directors, the Ohio University Women’s Club of Greater Cleveland’s executive board and numerous other OHIO committees and networks.
 

Ken Rusche, BSED ’73 • Rusche’s unwavering support for the Ohio Bobcats is evident through his participation in athletic events and previous leadership roles within the OUAA Board of Directors, as well as the endowment of the Kenneth Ray Rusche Athletic Training Scholarship.

Jeremy Wright, BSH ’10, MHA ’15 • A regional operations director for Cook County Health, Wright has received the Difference Maker Award for his service as a commissioner in his Chicago business district and the Individual Leadership Award from the United Way of Metro Chicago.

Juliane “Juli” Accurso, BA ’14 • Accurso is a three-time cross country All-American and MAC Champion and a three-time track and field MAC Champion for both indoor and outdoor categories. She also earned the 2011 All-Ohio Champion title and still holds several OHIO records.

Emily (Bresser) Hobel, BSC ’01 • On the women’s swim team, Hobel’s many accolades have included earning the MAC Commissioner’s Award, the MAC Presidential Award and 2001 MAC Outstanding Senior Swimmer of the Year. She also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2000.

Jeremy Johnson, BSED ’15 • OHIO wrestler Johnson was MAC Freshman of the Year, a two-time MAC Heavyweight Champion, a four-time Academic All-American and two-time All-American. He tops OHIO’s list for career record and single season wins.

Carlton “Slugger” White II, BSED ’71 •  White was a member of two MAC Championship-winning men’s golf teams and placed in the top 10 individually at three MAC Championships. He competed professionally at the 1975 U.S. Open and won the 1975 Metropolitan Open.

The 1975 softball team • The 1975 Ohio softball team’s powerhouse offense, exceptional pitching and sound defense earned them a 16-1 regular season record and a place in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women World Series, where they placed eighth overall.

Maya Lin • Athens native Maya Lin is perhaps best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., but she has remained connected to OHIO throughout her life. Most notably, she designed “Input,” the grassy rectangles dotting Bicentennial Park next to Walter Hall. She’s also provided her architectural expertise in planning discussions for The Ridges and established a scholarship honoring her late parents, former College of Fine Arts Dean Henry Lin and Julia Lin, professor emerita of English. 

Know someone who you think deserves an Alumni Award honor? The nomination period for the 2025 cohort is open from September to Dec. 31, 2024, on the OUAA website.

Feature photo by Ben Wirtz Siegel, BSVC '02