Celebrating Lawrence County partnerships: Ohio University honors community leaders making a local impact

Every year, Ohio University celebrates partner organizations on each campus that are providing mutual benefit and positive change. This year, two Lawrence County organizations were honored with an Outstanding Community Partner Award.

These awards, managed by the Center for Community Engagement, reflect Ohio University’s institutional dedication to unique projects that prioritize the needs of local communities, foster shared leadership and create lasting benefits for students, residents and service organizations alike.

“The OHIO Outstanding Community Partner Awards honor partnerships that are led by community priorities and designed to create reciprocal value,” said Mary Nally, director of the Center for Community Engagement. “These awards recognize the expertise and commitment of our community partners who are making a real difference in the lives of students and local residents.”

At Ohio University’s Southern campus, the Ironton Rotary Club has been recognized for its steadfast dedication to the community since 1919. Over the years, the club’s mission has broadened to support education, health and civic engagement, including events like the annual Pancake Breakfast, which funds nursing scholarships and forges bonds between Student Nurses Association members and local residents.

In 2023, the Ironton Rotary Club and Ohio University Southern took on a vital role in organizing a candidate forum for local elections, addressing a gap in community access to candidate information. This event, co-hosted with the university’s Electronic Media Department, not only offered community members a platform for civic engagement but also provided students with hands-on experience in event production.

“The Ironton Rotary Club’s longstanding commitment to Ironton, coupled with their willingness to take on new initiatives, has been a model of community service,” said Nally. “Their partnership with Ohio University Southern exemplifies the positive impact of collaboration on student learning and community resilience. We are so proud to honor them for their impactful contributions.”

For the Athens campus, the OHIO Outstanding Community Partner Award recognized IMPACT Prevention, led by Executive Director Mollie Stevens. The nonprofit organization, based in Lawrence and Scioto Counties, has been at the forefront of mental health promotion and substance use prevention in an area facing significant economic challenges.

Through a partnership with Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, IMPACT Prevention has championed youth engagement in Lawrence County, giving young people a central role in prevention initiatives and coalition planning. Since 2016, the Voinovich School has supported IMPACT with essential resources, funding, and technical assistance that have empowered the organization to implement data-driven, evidence-based programs. This collaboration has also enriched student learning by providing internships and assistantships that deepen students’ understanding of rural health challenges and prevention strategies.

“Mollie Stevens and the team at IMPACT Prevention are dedicated advocates for young people,” said Nally. “Their work with the Voinovich School has not only strengthened Lawrence County’s community health efforts but has also provided Ohio University students invaluable learning experiences. It’s a partnership that exemplifies the best of community engagement.”

Ohio University’s Community Partner Awards extend across multiple campuses, each honoring an organization whose mission aligns with OHIO’s commitment to community-based learning and public service.

Each campus honors a designee as its Outstanding Community Partner, with one recipient elevated to Institutional Partner of the Year, representing the exceptional collaboration across the University’s regional footprint. For 2024, the Eastern campus partner Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County, Ohio, led by Crystal Lorimor, was selected for this distinction. Adena Regional Medical Center was recognized by the Chillicothe campus, Amy Eyman of the Fairfield County Foundation was the awardee for the Lancaster campus, and Muskingum County Library System was selected by the Zanesville campus.

Together, these partnerships represent Ohio University’s shared vision with local leaders and organizations for a better, stronger Southeast Ohio region. Through these collaborations, community organizations and Ohio University students build practical skills, address critical social needs and contribute to the public good across Ohio and beyond.