6/25/98
ATHENS, Ohio -- Dr. John Vensile, who graduated from Ohio University in 1958 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in music education, was honored with the School of Music Society of Alumni and Friends' 1998 Service Award at the school's recent honors assembly.
Vensile served as the director of bands and choirs for the Independence City Schools and director of bands and orchestra for Rocky River City Schools. He also served as the music department chairperson for both school districts.
During the second half of his career and until his retirement in June 1997, Vensile taught in higher education. He was a professor of music and coordinator of music studies at Cuyahoga Community College while also teaching at John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University. Throughout his 39-year career in music education, he hosted Ohio University touring performance groups and recruited several students to the university.
Vensile earned his master of arts degree in 1967 and a doctorate in 1992, both from Case Western Reserve University. He did additional graduate study at Vandercook College of Music and Hartt School of Music. Vensile was recognized in 1989 with a national teaching award by the International Conference on Teaching Excellence at the University of Texas in Austin for the motivational and interpersonal skills he brought to the teaching profession.