The ֱ State University Alumni Association has announced the five recipients of the 2014 Alumni Awards. The awards recognize and honor alumni who, through leadership, character and hard work, have made exceptional contributions in their chosen field, in their communities and at ֱ State.
The following alumni have been selected for 2014:
Andy Baskin, ’90, Distinguished Citizen Award. Baskin resides in Northeast Ohio and serves as sports director for WEWS NewsChannel5 in Cleveland.
John Garofalo, ’87, M.Ed. ’93, ֱ State Advocacy Award. Garofalo resides in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, and serves as the vice president of community investment at Akron Community Foundation.
Lauren Kotmel, ’11, Outstanding New Professional Award. Kotmel resides in Solon, Ohio, and serves as the development and community relations specialist for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
Patricia Shehan Campbell, Ph.D. ’81, Professional Achievement Award. Campbell resides in Seattle, Washington, and serves as chair of the Ethnomusicology program and Donald E. Petersen Professor of Music at the University of Washington.
Carter Strang, ’73, M.Ed. ’79, Distinguished Alumni Award. Strang resides in Northeast Ohio and serves as partner at Tucker Ellis LLP in Cleveland.
“The alumni association received many outstanding nominations that truly represent the diversity and success of our graduates,” said Joy Wesoloski, ֱ State’s assistant director of alumni relations. “The 2014 alumni award recipients epitomize the characteristics of ֱ State graduates and the impact they have on their professions and society.”
In addition to the alumni awards, one student award is given. This year’s Golden Flash recipient is Bitrus Audu, a ֱ State senior studying business administration and human resource management. Audu is an international student from Nigeria.
All award recipients were selected by a committee of ֱ State graduates.
The award recipients will be honored at an awards banquet hosted at the ֱ State University Hotel and Conference Center on Oct. 17 and during the Homecoming football game on Oct. 18.
For more information about the alumni award recipients or to attend the awards banquet, visit .
For more information about the ֱ State Alumni Association, visit .
# # #
Media Contacts:
Joy Wesoloski, jforema3@kent.edu, 330-672-5368
Nancy Schiappa, nschiapp@kent.edu, 330-672-5368
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595