×

Across our Classrooms

Duvall earns PhD from University of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH –Jonathan Duvall of Pittsburgh, formerly of Salem, earned his PhD in rehabilitation science in April from the University of Pittsburgh.

Duvall earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in 2010 and his master’s degree in rehabilitation science and technology in 2013.

He has several articles published, patents pending and is still working on research to allow people with disabilities to lead more productive lives. He is one of the founders of PathVu, a company that measures the surfaces of sidewalks to allow communities to bring their sidewalks up to American Disabilities Act standards.

His doctoral thesis was based on an e-scale which allows wheelchair users or others who cannot stand on a scale to be weighed while in bed so many health issues could be averted.

He is working for Human Engineering Research Laboratory, a research facility at the University of Pittsburgh and does research to help any kind of a disability. Duvall works with many of the research programs but is mainly working on wheelchair issues as he was in a sled-riding accident in 2007 and became paralyzed himself.

Duvall, the son of Jan and Janet Duvall of Salem, is a 2004 graduate of United High School in Hanoverton.

United Local student honored by DAR

HANOVERTON — The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens program and scholarship contest encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship.

Only one student per year may be honored as the school’s DAR Good Citizen, and this year Destini Thompson was chosen by the United Local faculty and administration. She is the daughter of John and Jennifer Balint of Kensington.

The DAR Good Citizen must have the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. (Submitted photo)

Local students earn Miami University president’s list

OXFORD — Miami University students who are ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2017-18 have been named to the president’s list recognizing academic excellence.

Local students include: Bryn McElroy of East Palestine, Anthony Marr of Leetonia, Madi Definbaugh of Salem and Jonathan Montgomery of East Liverpool.

Area students named to West Liberty University dean’s list

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University announced its dean’s list for outstanding academic performance during spring semester 2018. Students must attain a 3.50 grade point academic average and complete a minimum of 12 semester hours to qualify for this honor. Local students include:

East Liverpool: Joshua Cornell.

Steubenville: Logan Colabella, Kayla Collier, Anthony Craig, Glory Dami, Robert DeVaul, Benjamin Hlivko, Emily Ighnat, Alexis Mastroianni, Sara Scott, Patrick Spiess.

Blaner receives degree from Ohio Wesleyan University

DELAWARE — Emily Blaner of East Liverpool graduated this spring from Ohio Wesleyan University. She earned a bachelor’s of arts degree.

Eckenrode named to Wittenberg University dean’s list

SPRINGFIELD — Ashley Eckenrode of Wellsville was named to Wittenberg University’s spring 2018 dean’s list. She was among more than 400 students named to the list. To qualify, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Eckenrode is an English and German major.

Barnes receives master’s degree from George Fox Univ.

NEWBERG, Ore. — Michael Barnes of Salem was among more than 800 undergraduate, adult degree and graduate-level students who received diplomas from George Fox University this spring. Barnes earned a master’s of arts degree in ministry.

Hostetler earns dean’s list at University of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alayna M. Hostetler of Columbiana was named to the University of Alabama (UA) dean’s list for spring 2018.

A total of 11,347 students enrolled during the 2018 spring semester at UA were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 or above or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0 (all As).

KSU Salem offering E-Sports program

SALEM — Kent State University (KSU) at the Salem campus is offering tuition scholarships, renewable each year, to play on their varsity E-Sports team. Participants can get paid to play. The new E-Sports program is system-wide, with developing teams at every campus. The Salem campus has a couple scholarships remaining and is looking for new student-gamers.

The program is conducted by Dr. Steven Toepfer, director of E-Sports at KSU. He also oversees the Salem program. “The Salem campus was the first to offer scholarships,” said Dr. Toepfer, “but other campuses are following our lead.”

The Salem campus has a practice space with gaming computers for the team. “Our team will practice face-to-face every week as well as online. We have a great Discord channel that allows us to organize and communicate,” said team president Kate Larabee.

The program is seeking Overwatch, Fortnite, and Hearthstone players. However, they are open to other games depending on student interest and team goals. The team will play against other university teams in a regular season as well as out-of-season matches.

They will also scrimmage against other teams in the KSU system. The program is devoted to developing well-rounded student-gamers.

“That means we help our players excel on and off the virtual playing field,” said Dr. Toepfer. “E-Sports are a ton of fun but it’s more than that. It’s a way to connect our students to the university and help them build strong memories of their time at Kent State. They represent the university and we get to enter the expanding world of global E-Sports. All for the price of supporting something they’re deeply passionate about.”

To qualify, players must be a registered student at the Salem campus. The scholarship application can be found on the KSU Salem E-Sports page at kent.edu/columbiana/salemesports.

Read about the recent Overwatch/Hearthstone Tournament at Kent at kent.edu/einside/news/video-gaming-and-academic-scholarship-join-forces-kent-state%E2%80%99s-first-esports-tournament

Host families sought for exchange students

SALEM — Debbie VanWinkle, the new local coordinator of International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) for Columbiana and Mahoning counties, has announced that the organization is seeking host families for the 2018-19 school year.

VanWinkle was born and raised in the Mahoning Valley. She chose to raise her children in the area and has had the pleasure of hosting several exchange students in her home from many different countries.

VanWinkle believes that having exchange students in local schools and communities increases mutual understanding and improves relationships with other countries. The exchange students live as a member of the host family, not as a guest or boarder.

They participate in family activities, follow family rules and help with chores. Students have their own medical insurance and spending money. Host families provide room and board and loving parental guidance. For more information contact VanWinkle at 330-240-4105.

ICES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a peaceful world by increasing international awareness and understanding through cultural sharing experiences.

Weingart graduates with honors from Ball State University

SALEM — Valerie J. Weingart recently graduated summa cum laude from Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, Ind. Weingart was a double major at BSU, receiving degrees in both vocal performance and English with an emphasis in creative writing.

She was recognized for being one of only 12 students from a graduating class of over 3,000 to have maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average during her time at BSU. She received departmental honors in both music and English and special recognition from the Honors College where she served for two years as president of the Student Honors Council.

She also received special recognition for Academic Honors in Writing. At commencement ceremonies on May 5, Weingart was selected to sing the National Anthem and the Ball State Alma Mater.

During her time at BSU, Weingart performed in numerous concerts, recitals and operas. She placed first in the undergraduate concerto competition in December 2016. She has published several articles and short stories. In May, she was invited to present a reading of her short story “Second Sun” that was published in Tributaries, the literary magazine of Indiana University East.

She served as librarian and administrative assistant for the Ball State Choral Department for the past two years. She also served as section leader for the First Presbyterian Church Choir of Muncie.

Weingart has accepted a position for next year as a graduate assistant in the department of English at BSU where she will serve as a teaching assistant and pursue her master’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing.

Weingart, a 2013 graduate of West Branch High School, is the daughter of Dr. Scott and Shelley Weingart of Salem.

Buchheit gradates from Muskingum University

NEW CONCORD — Alison Buchheit of Lisbon recently graduated from Muskingum University in New Concord. She majored in middle childhood education.

Garman earns diploma from Ohio Connections Academy

COLUMBUS — Tabatha Garman of East Palestine was among more than 300 graduating seniors who received their high school diplomas recently as members of the Ohio Connections Academy’s (OCA) class of 2018.

As many as 220 graduating seniors traveled to Columbus from more than 60 Ohio counties to participate in the online charter school’s traditional commencement ceremony in Battelle Hall at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

The class of 2018 is the 10th graduating class for the state’s leading provider of high-quality, tuition-free virtual education for students in grades kindergarten to 12.

Of this year’s OCA graduates, more than half indicated they plan to attend a two or four-year college/university including The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Cuyahoga Community College, Hocking College, Miami University, Sinclair Community College, Ohio University and Youngstown State University.

Twenty of the graduates were members of the National Honor Society while more than 100 graduated with honors (3.5 grade point average or better). Overall the class of 2018 has received more than $1.7 million in college scholarships and awards.

Garlough receives degree from Pensacola Christian College

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Isaac Michael Garlough, son of Darren and Heather Garlough of Salem, earned a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice on May 11 from Pensacola Christian College. Isaac was one of over 975 students to whom degrees were granted at the commencement ceremony. As a result of earning a semester grade point average of 3.90 or higher, Isaac was named to the President’s List. Because of high academic achievements, Isaac graduated summa cum laude with honors.

He is a 2014 graduate of South Range High School.

Capital University recognizes Thomas, Hughes

BEXLEY — Capital University recently announced its Provost’s List honorees for the spring 2018 semester. To be named to the Provost’s List, full-time, degree-seeking students must have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.70.

Area students include Kayla Thomas of Columbiana and Caitlin Hughes of East Palestine.

Local students graduate from Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN — The following area residents recently graduated from Bowling Green State University.

Canfield: Todd Romutis, doctor of philosophy.

Columbiana: Carlie Merlo, bachelor’s of arts, summa cum laude, president’s distinction; Victoria Vivo, bachelor’s of arts; Nicholas Givens, bachelor’s of science in medical laboratory science, cum laude; Keeley Pierson, bachelor’s of arts, magna cum laude.

East Palestine: Chelsie Wright, bachelor’s of science in education, cum laude.

Salem: Brittany Skiba, bachelor’s of science in education, summa cum laude, president’s distinction.

Area residents earn dean’s list at Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN – The following area residents were recently named to the dean’s list at Bowling Green State University.

Canfield: Lauren Stitle, Rebecca Armstrong.

Columbiana: Rebecca Good, Keeley Pierson.

East Liverpool: Leeann Ream.

Homeworth: Robert Toot, Clairessa Morrow.

Leetonia: Evan Davis, Nathan Stelts.

Lisbon: Julie Muntean.

Salem: Jenna Bartholomew, Ashley Hahn, Damyen Bair, Marissa Swindell, Samantha Millison.

Woolf, Fish named to Tiffin University dean’s list

TIFFIN — Tiffin University recently released its 2018 spring semester dean’s list according to Dr. Peter Holbrook, provost.

Named to the list are local residents Madison Woolf of Beloit and Madison Fisher of Homeworth.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today