Tuscarawas County University Branch District

The Tuscarawas County University Branch District (the District) was formed by the Tuscarawas community as a governing body for the physical plant and property of the Tuscarawas Campus. The District contracts with Kent State University to provide higher education services to Tuscarawas and surrounding counties. Throughout a near 50-year history, the District has grown to incorporate more than 180 acres and includes four major buildings. The District carries no debt on any of its property. The District focuses on sustaining educational opportunities for our students and meeting the needs of our community.

While the primary focus is on the physical campus, generous individuals have given to the District specifically to support student scholarships. Currently, full tuition scholarships are awarded per semester to a minimum of four students through a competitive process.

Members of the Board of Trustees 

Frank Rose, Attorney and Partner with Fitzpatrick, Zimmerman and Rose. Mr. Rose has served on the Board of Trustees since 1985.  He has served the Trustees as Fiscal Officer, Vice Chairman and Chairman in the past years. He currently is serving as chairman and concurrently serves on the Tuscarawas County University Foundation.

Sally O’Donnell, Retired from First Federal Community Bank where she was Senior Vice President. Ms. O’Donnell became a Director on the Foundation Board in 1999, she has served on the Board of Trustees since 2004. She is currently serving as Fiscal Officer for the Board of Trustees and concurrently serves on the Tuscarawas County University Foundation.

Michael Ernest, Assistant Prosecutor for the City of New Philadelphia and Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s Office and Attorney with Johnson, Urban and Range LLC. Kent State University alumni. Mr. Ernest was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2018.

Darlene Finzer, Principal at Rea & Associates, Inc.  Ms. Finzer was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2016.

Blair Hillyer, CEO and Chairman of the First National Bank of Dennison and FNB, Inc. Mr. Hillyer was appointed as a Trustee in 2006. He also served on the Foundation Board of Directors from 1985 – 1995 and served as President for one term.

Roger Lile, Retired Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge. Mr. Lile has been on the Board of Trustees since 1979 and has held offices as Fiscal Officer, Vice Chairman and Chairman. He has served on the Tuscarawas County University Foundation since 1998 and currently serves as Vice President and in the past as President.  

Robin Waltz, President & CEO of United Way of Tuscarawas County. Ms. Waltz worked for a local industry in Human Resources prior to joining United Way in 2013. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2019.