Stark Distinguished Alumni

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

In 1996, Kent State University at Stark began recognizing distinguished alumni who attended Kent State Stark. Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are recognized for:

• Excellence in a profession
• Excellence in service to the community
• Excellence in service to Kent State Stark 
   

2023 Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni Recipient 
Joseph French

 
Joseph French has chosen to make his life’s mission to help children understand that their today does not dictate their tomorrow. French said he believes that you must do everything you can to make the world a better place — especially for children.

Throughout his career, French has lived by this motto, serving the community in several roles from classroom teacher to leading an early childhood nonprofit that provided educational support to the Alliance community. In his current role as chief executive officer of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, French oversees the full service, trauma-informed mental health organization that specializes in the emotional and behavioral needs of children, adolescents, young adults and their families.

“Joe is a lifelong advocate for children and strives to help children discover and reach their full potential,” said Denise A. Seachrist, Ph.D., dean of Kent State Stark. “He is an outstanding example of our Kent State University at Stark alumni serving their community and making Stark County a better place to live. We are honored to award Joe with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.”

A graduate of Leadership Stark County, French also serves on numerous boards, including Gov. Mike DeWine's Early Childhood Advisory Council. French was instrumental in bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Stark County. An elected Meyers Lake Village Councilman, he is a 2023 Leadership Ohio Fellow.

This community advocate also has received numerous awards of distinction, including Leadership Stark County’s 30 Faces of Leadership and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce ystark! Twenty Under 40! award, among others.

French attended Kent State Stark from 1986 to 1989 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kent State University.

SUBMIT AN ALUMNA OR ALUMNUS FOR CONSIDERATION 

Nominations for the Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni Award are accepted at any time, but must be submitted no later than February 1, using the form below. The selection committee will announce the recipients in March and awards will be presented at a special luncheon in the summer. 

NOMINATE A KENT STATE STARK ALUMNA OR ALUMNUS
Direct questions about the Distinguished Alumni Awards to Beth Fuciu at bfuciu@kent.edu or 330-244-3225.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

The following alumni have received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Kent State Stark.

• Thelma Barber-Powell (1935) Lifelong Educator, Canton Local Schools. Recognized as Kent Stark Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1999.
• Brannon Braga (1983-1985) Writer, Producer, Television and Film for Star Trek Features - Star Trek: The Next Generation; Star Trek: Voyager; Star Trek: Generations; Star Trek: First Contact, Mission Impossible 11; Star Trek: Enterprise. Hugo Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2003.
• Kenneth P. Cazan (1975-1977) Opera theatre stage director, acting teacher, author. Outstanding Director Award in 1982. Recognized at Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2007.
• Frances H. Cicchinelli Jr. (1969-1973) Mayor, Massillon, Ohio, 1987-present. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2002.
• Lynne S. Dragomier (1968-1969) VP Marketing, Mercy Medical Center; VP Administration, The Hoover Company; Board of Trustees, Kent State University; Stark Community Foundation. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2001.
• Jack Fisher (1946-1947) Owner, Fisher Foods; National First Ladies' Museum Advisory Board. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1998.
• Joseph French (1986-1989) CEO, Child and Behavioral Health; Gov. Mike DeWine's Early Childhood Advisory Council member; Meyers Lake Village Councilman; Leadership Ohio Fellow; Leadership Stark County graduate; teacher and community advocate. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2023.
• Richard L. Hardgrove (1980-1982) CEO, First National Bank of Ohio; COO, FirstMerit, Deputy Superintendent Banks State of Ohio; President and CEO, Sky Bank. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2001.
• Thomas Haren (1974-1975) Canton McKinley high school biology teacher; Ohio Outstanding Biology Teacher. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1996.
• Ronnie Harris (1967-1968) Former Olympic boxer and gold medalist winner.  Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2006.
• William J. Healy (1961) Twelve terms Ohio House of Representatives; Chair, House Judiciary Committee; Chair, House Government Committee. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1997. (deceased)
• William J. Healy II (1981-1984) Mayor of the City of Canton; represented the 52nd District of the Ohio House of Representatives for two terms; son of the late William J. Healy, a former Democratic city councilman and long-time state lawmaker in the Ohio House of Representatives. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2008. 
• James R. Hillibish (1968-1971) Military Instructor, Defense Information School; Golden Quill Award; meritorious service medal from Joint Chiefs of Staff; Media Editor, Canton Repository. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2004. (deceased)
• Michael Howard (1975) Judge, Stark County Court of Common Pleas; CPA, Deloitte & Touche senior tax manager. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2005.
• Darrell Issa (1973-1976) U.S. Congressman, 49th District of California. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2006.
• Jeffrey D. Jennings (1975-1977) Managing Director and Global Head of Futures, Lehman Brothers, New York City; Attorney, Division of Enforcement Securities and Exchange Commission, Philadelphia and New York Stock Exchange. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2004.
• David A. Kidd (1972-1977) Founder, American Free Tree Program, resulting in planting 8.5 million trees, mobilizing one million volunteers. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1996.
• Thomas Koontz (1968-1974) Architect, author, professor. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2007.
• Lesa Rummell LaForce (1975-1977) Named Miss Ohio and represented the state in the 1977 Miss U.S.A. Pageant; now CEO of About Faces Models and Talent, located in Atlanta, Ga. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2008. 
• Kay Walther Leath (1967-1975) North Canton City Schools teacher, People to People Ambassador to China, Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2000.
• Dick Maggiore (1970's) President and CEO of Innis Maggiore Group, author, visiting professor. Recognized at Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2009.
• Johnnie Maier Jr. (1969-1976) Five term Ohio House of Representatives, Assistant Minority Leader of Ohio House. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2000.
• Dr. Norma Marcere (1950's) Leader African-American Community, author two books and subject of play about her life. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1997. (deceased)
• Laura Mottice (1962, 1965-1970) Teacher, Principal and Professor. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2005.
• Joseph Niamtu III, MD (1969-1971) Founder, Niamtu Imaging System; computerized modeling to assist cosmetic surgery. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1999.
• Stephen A. Perry (1963-1965) President and CEO, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame; Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration;VP Human Resources and Logistics, Timken Company; Cabinet of Ohio, Gov. George Voinovich; Director, Ohio Department of Administrative Services; Ohio Board of Regents. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1996.
• Charles B. Scheurer (1960-1963) Retired VP Human Resources, Diebold Incorporated. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1999.
• Kirk Schuring (1970, 1973, 1976) Ohio State Representative, House District 55; Ohio State Senator District 29. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2005.
• Lee Sinclair (1969-1971) Judge, Common Pleas Court, Stark County; Partner Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2001.
• Mary Volpe (1978-1982) Foster mother to 102 children; Canton "Citizen of the Year." Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 1998. (deceased)
• Michael Wheeler (2001-2002) President, Chief Legal Officer, Patriot Software, Volunteer. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2022.
• Lindsay Zimmerman (2000-2001) Philanthropist, Volunteer, Canton Heart Guild Founder. Recognized as Kent State Stark Distinguished Alumni in 2022.