Outstanding faculty members and community members were recently acknowledged at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. During the Spring Awards Ceremony two professors were acknowledged for their teaching excellence. Dr. Christopher Roman received the 2016 Full Time Distinguished Teaching Award and Dr. Todd Hartline received the 2016 Part-Time Distinguished Teaching Award. These gentlemen were recognized for their enthusiasm and commitment to their profession, and for possessing a comprehensive knowledge of their subject matter, effective organization and presentation of their subject matter. The Distinguished Teaching Awards are the most prestigious awards the campus presents to faculty members.
Dr. Roman, associate professor of English, coordinator of the English Department and Writing Center coordinator, has been employed by the university for 12 years. He teaches Medieval and Renaissance literature at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as courses on the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, Shakespeare, creative writing and fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Alabama, a Master of Arts in English Literature from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Hartline, adjunct faculty in history, has received the Part-Time Distinguished Teaching Award four times. He has taught history, geography and political science courses at Kent State Tuscarawas for 17 years. His history courses include United States History, World History, Ohio History, World War II and Modern European History. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Kent State University, a master’s degree from University of Akron and his bachelor’s from Malone University.
During the May 13 Commencement Ceremony, the campus recognized three community members for their accomplishments. Jonathan P. Mason received the 2016 Kent State Tuscarawas Distinguished Alumni Award. This honor recognizes the professional and community accomplishments of an alumni from Kent State Tuscarawas and is the highest acknowledgement bestowed on a Kent State Tuscarawas graduate. Since 2006, Mason has been the president and general manager of Mancan Staffing, which has 34 offices in six states, employing 5,000 to 6,000 personnel with a customer base of 500 to 600 companies.
Among his various volunteer positions, Mason is involved in the Canton Rotary, Downtown Canton Association, City of Hope Canton Chapter, Dover Historical Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and has been active in Boy Scouts for 22 years.
In 1962, Mason was one of the first students to attend the Kent State University Academic Center in New Philadelphia, and went on to attend the Kent Campus where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He and his wife Bonnie reside in Dover.
Alfred and Maryann Armour Fearon, of Bolivar, are the recipients of the 2016 Kent State Tuscarawas Community Service Award. This recognition is given to valued members of the community who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to Kent State Tuscarawas.
Mr. and Mrs. Fearon are corporate sponsors of the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, the Rainbow Connection and the Ohio Erie Canal Coalition. They actively support the trails and green space projects in Tuscarawas County, as well as many other charities that benefit the community.
The Fearons own OIC International, Inc., an import/export company with headquarters in Bolivar. In business since 1968, the company also has a showroom and office in Dallas, Texas and a satellite office in Wuxi, China. Maryann Armour Fearon also owns the Basket Factory Outlet, located in the OIC International building.
Maryann Armour Fearon earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arizona. Alfred Fearon was one of the first students to attend the Kent State University Academic Center in New Philadelphia in 1962, and later attended the Kent Campus. He is a Vietnam era Army veteran, honorably discharged in 1967.