Ohio University State Government Alumni Luncheon Honors Attendees and Promotes Public Service
May 21, 2012
More than 150 alumni were honored at the 29th Annual Ohio University State Government Alumni Luncheon on May 9 at the Athletic Club in Columbus. The luncheon recognized the significance of alumni presence in public service in the state of Ohio. Keynote speaker, Senator George V. Voinovich, stressed the importance of public service, giving back to the community and to Ohio University. He also commended attendees based on their achievements in the public sector.
"The people in this room that work for government or serving in government, you are the ones that really make the difference," said Senator Voinovich. "I look at so many of you in this room like you were my children, and [I'm] so proud of what you have been able to do and accomplish," he said.
Since his retirement from politics in 2010, a career that spanned more than four decades, Senator Voinovich was named the OHIO University Visiting Professor of Leadership and Public Affairs at the Voinovich School in 2011. The former Mayor of Cleveland, Governor and U.S. Senator received his bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1958 and his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1961.
Two Ohio University alumni were awarded the prestigious Outstanding State Government Alumni Award at the luncheon, which was hosted by Ohio University President Roderick McDavis on behalf of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. M. Beth Trombold and Matthew Martin were commended for their outstanding achievements in public service. They were selected based on their service contributions to Ohio University's public affairs program, accomplishments in their professions and significant contributions to public service in Ohio. As award recipients, both Trombold and Martin join the Ohio University Public Affairs Committee, which supports Ohio University students in career development and internship opportunities.
Trombold hopes to serve as an example and resource to college students or anyone in public service. "There are opportunities and careers in public service for all types of majors and backgrounds," Trombold said. When she was a senior, Trombold interned at the Statehouse through the Legislative Service Commission and realized that public service was a career she wanted to pursue. "My education at OU exposed me to diverse people, thoughts and academics, and prepared me for a career in public service where I can be part of making Ohio a better place to live, work and raise a family," Trombold added.
Trombold is the current assistant director of the Ohio Department of Development and focuses on Ohio's economic and community development system and ways to strengthen the economy. Prior to joining the Ohio Department of Development, she was the director of economic development and public affairs for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). At PUCO, Trombold focused on high-level policy issues and agency communications. She received her bachelor's in international business and marketing from Ohio University and will finish her master's in public policy and management at The Ohio State University this June.
Martin, who was born in Athens, serves as chief of the education section of the Office of Budget and Management where he oversees budget and policy analysis related to Ohio's 37 public institutions of higher education and 1,000 K-12 public education entities. Martin received his bachelor's degree in biology and Spanish in 2000 and his Master's in Public Administration in 2005, both from Ohio University.