Festival of the Hills

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
I've always been interested in the media field for as long as I can remember. I was always making funny videos with my parents' VHS camcorder as a kid. The Electronic Media program at OUS just felt like a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the things I already loved to do.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OUS?
My favorite OUS memories were the late night producing and directing local high school football events. The hours were long, but working as a team with everyone and making those memories was something I'd never trade. Nothing like a late night trip after a game to Waffle House or BW3's after putting in some long hours with your friends.

How did your OUS education prepare you for your career or life path?
Being at OUS really put me in front of all of the right people. Employers knew they would find students at OUS with great experience, and students who wanted to represent our region. WSAZ handpicked me to work on their events and I eventually became a director for the 6AM news. That led me into working into various media companies and it just continued to grow from there. I honestly owe it to OUS for putting me in rooms with people who held the key to the next steps of my life and career.

Who at OUS made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
Brad Bear is a phenomenal human who wasn't afraid to push you to the next level. He's someone who lived and breathed what he taught. There was never a dumb question with Brad, and his authenticity was an example on who to be at OUS and out there in the real world.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OUS, and what did you learn from them?
I think like most college students, finding a sense of "being" was difficult. At the time I was really struggling with my mental health and self harm. I met my best friend still to this day at OUS. I don't think i'd be around to talk about this if it wasn't for him.

Looking back, what does being an OUS graduate mean to you?
There's definitely a sense of pride when I talk about being an OUS graduate. 
It's the starting point for my music and media careers. Without, life would look very very different right now.

How have you stayed connected to OUS or your community since graduation?
I've stayed connected with some of the OUS community since graduation. Some folks are still local, others are world travelers. Kind of cool to have connections in so many different places.

What advice would you give to current or future OUS students?
Within OUS or the rest of your life, you have to take a chance on yourself. It's up to you, but there are folks in your life that want to see you win as well. Lean on those people and make the most of it all. 

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
At the time, I was still pretty young. I had some events going on in my life that were causing a little bit of instability. And I knew that I needed to take a step that was going to ground me in something solid, give me some solid skills, give me a place to start building something in my life. I originally started out in Human Services Technology, which was a two year program. I was really excited about that, went through the program with so many wonderful professors who gave me so much amazing insight, not just into the academic nature of that field, but also the real world, nitty gritty. I loved that Ohio University Southern pulled people who were actually out working in the field, people like Brett Looney, Mary Virgin, and Kelly Hall, who were out doing the work. It gave me incredible insight into not just what it was like from a textbook, but what it was like to actually be there. I did complete that program and then took a left turn into studio art.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OUS?
One of my favorite experiences was getting to work in our art gallery as a student worker. I got to work with professional artists who were working at some of the top levels in our area, really amazing people doing incredible things. That was an opportunity I don't know I could have gotten anywhere else locally. In doing that, I was able to develop a real sense of confidence. I knew what I was doing, I could answer questions, I was able to make decisions. That was probably one of the first times I felt that sense of pride, like, "yes, I know what I'm doing." And that continued to be a feeling that I chased.

How did your education prepare you for your career or life path?
My studio art degree doesn't necessarily line up on paper with what I do right now. I came in out of left field, is what I often say. However, that does not mean my time in the studio art program is irrelevant. That program taught me how to think critically about problems, how to approach old problems in new ways. It also taught me the importance of being thorough in the work that I do, making sure that the quality of my work was up to par. It's not just about doing the work, it's about how we do the work. To me, that translates just as easily from a piece of art into providing a fully rounded, well thought out, well-researched treatment for someone. Professors like Dennis Stewart and Tom Suter asked those important questions and provided valuable insight into issues I am working with every day now. Even working with gender based violence was an avenue I explored as an artist here on campus, so I already knew what was important to me when it was time to look for a job.

Who at OUS made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
I had a class with Christina Carpenter, it was a women and writing course, and that one always sticks out to me. I so admired the way she conducted that class. There was a really broad range of students, and to introduce really complex topics and then lead them all, at whatever level they were at, through that in a critical way and in a way that is safe but challenging, I really admired that. She had a wonderful way of meeting people where they were at and helping them find whatever they needed out of that. Even in my work right now, I try to take that same approach when I'm talking with community members about abuse prevention and consent. I try to meet them where they're at and help them find what they need.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OUS, and what did you learn from them?
I actually have experience at a couple of different institutions. I started out at a really huge school down in Florida, 40,000 students, it could take an hour to get across campus. I felt lost almost immediately. When I stepped foot on the campus of Ohio University Southern, I knew this was somewhere I could thrive. I could immediately learn the campus, learn where I needed to go. But more importantly, I knew the professors were right there. Our class sizes were small. I could always reach out, always have a few minutes after class. And all of them understood that most students coming here are already living life. There are already multiple commitments, overlapping needs, and they were always willing to work around those. They were always willing to provide grace. And that was absolutely profound.

Looking back, what does being an OUS graduate mean to you?
I couldn't be where I am, doing what I'm doing, without the experiences and the education I received at Ohio University Southern. I have such tremendous love for this community. Ohio University Southern is absolutely rooted in that history, it is not only the history, but it's going to be the future. Training our young people, our nontraditional students – when people need opportunities, they're going to come here. And that's incredibly uplifting.

How have you stayed connected to OUS or your community since graduation?
I love getting to come back, I'm not that far away over in Ashland, and talk about what I do with the people here at Ohio University Southern, like at the Mental Health Awareness Conference. The second that I was ready to reengage, there was a lot of acceptance and a lot of wanting to know what I was doing. There is a whole new life here, a whole new way to give back to this community and return some of the favor that was done for me in the beginning. I absolutely love any opportunity to come back and speak with young people about what their options are and what my experience has really been like working out in the real world.

What advice would you give to current or future OUS students?
Take the time to take a personal inventory. Figure out what's important to you, what your values are. Not just what do you want to do or how do you want to make money. When we can take that inventory of what's important to us and what we're ready to stand behind, that's going to help us make decisions about where we want to go and what is going to be the most fulfilling and therefore the most sustainable in the long term. Burnout is real in every single field, every single day. But if you can find something that feeds you and feeds those values that are important to you, you're going to be able to stay in it a lot longer. And stay flexible, be open to possibilities. I got an art degree and ended up somewhere over here, and yet the two aren't as far apart as they might seem. Be open to taking opportunities as they arise, even if they're scary, even if they seem different than what you thought they were going to be. Be willing to jump in and try something new.
 

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
It was very close to home, and I had actually taken a free class here after doing well in high school and really enjoyed it. The other part was that even though I had just graduated high school, I wasn't a traditional student in the sense that I got married right after high school and within a couple of years had two children. I loved the nature of this place — it was small, and I was able to be around people who were also nontraditional students. There were older students in my classes, people my age too, and it was just really comforting. And I didn't have to leave my family.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OUS?
Professor Bob Leith (if you know, you know) and the history that he knew. I was taking classes in Proctor Hall and I was expecting, and I was having a rough time of it. I would sometimes swing into McDonald's and pick up an egg McMuffin on my way to class, and I walked in about five minutes late. He said, "The next time you're late for class, Marybeth, the least you could do is bring us all something to eat." But also Rena Allen, I went to her during my first methods class and just fell apart. I said I don't think I'll make a good teacher, I don't know how to do this lesson plan stuff, and nobody's ever taught me any of this. I broke down sobbing in her office and she just picked me up and put me back together and really encouraged me. She was there for me many times.

How did your OUS education prepare you for your career or life path?
I really believe that it connected me with people in the community and helped me to be more aware of the world outside of my own life. In high school I was very introverted, it was just about myself, like it is for a lot of us. But in college I was able to go out of my comfort zone a little bit and learn about other people in the community and other needs that were out there. That really helped me to understand others. The flexibility I learned here also took me to a place where I could shift momentum and do what was needed, in the classroom or out of it.

Who at OUS made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
Professor Bob Leith and Rena Allen both made a tremendous impact on me. Bob had more history knowledge than anybody on this planet, and his humor and warmth made even difficult days memorable. Rena Allen picked me up at one of my lowest moments and put me back together. She encouraged me when I didn't believe in myself, and she was there for me many times throughout my program. Knowing that professors like that were in my corner made all the difference.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OUS, and what did you learn from them?
I had two babies during my time here. One of my professors (my daughter was born right during finals and I couldn't come in to take them) let me bring in my tiny infant and said, "Oh, you brought your baby. Okay, you passed your final." That kindness meant everything to me. I grew up in some difficult situations, and coming here and seeing love and kindness from other people, being treated as an adult — maybe for the first time — was profound. I really grew up on this campus. I was able to make that transition from being a teenager to growing into an adult here, and that was a huge impact on my life personally.

Looking back, what does being an OUS graduate mean to you?
It means a lot. My daughter is coming here now as a nontraditional student, trying to make a better life for her family. Knowing that because mom went here, she feels comfortable enough to be here, and seeing the impact that I have on students and knowing that it all started here, is really important to me. Southern can be a great starting place, and I never want anyone to put a blockade on themselves and think this is as far as they can go.

How have you stayed connected to OUS or your community since graduation?
Through the work that I do. I serve all of Lawrence County's school districts and a few others, and that keeps me deeply rooted in this community. And now with my daughter attending OUS, I feel more connected than ever. Seeing the next generation come through here and knowing that my experience here helped shape that means everything.

What advice would you give to current or future OUS students?
Learn to be flexible. Learn to go with the flow and trust that the flow is going to take you where you're meant to end up. The current of life is going to take you places that aren't always easy to go. I thought I was going to be a third grade teacher, that's what I always wanted. And if I had put that blockade on myself, I might never be where I am today. I've been in positions where I didn't feel prepared, but I went back to everything I learned here, put one foot in front of the other, and adapted. Take the training where you get it, continue to grow, and stay flexible. You never know where life's current is going to take you.

What led you to choose Ohio University Southern for your education?
It was close to home and affordable. But ironically, what really got me in the door was the studio in the Riffe Building. During my senior year of high school, I attended the EMPixx Awards and got to tour the third floor. I fell in love with that space. I didn’t end up finishing in that major, but it’s what first drew me to Southern.

How did your time at Southern help prepare you for your career?
My experience was a little unique because while I was a student here, I was also working as a student employee. That’s where I developed my love for higher education. While I was pursuing my degree, I was already thinking about how I could stay in higher ed. My degree helped me get employment, and the skills I gained here strengthened my writing and research abilities.

Is there a class, professor, or moment that stands out from your time here?
Dr. Marinski is the greatest of all time. Robert Pleasant was probably the best boss you could ask for. And my history classes were incredible. The discussions we had, the friendships I made, and the things I learned in those classes really stuck with me.

What do you find most rewarding about the work you do today?
Being able to help students. I started here right out of high school, but I also took some time off and came back as a nontraditional student, so I understand some of the challenges students face. Being able to help students who are in similar situations, or who just aren’t sure what they want to do yet, is really rewarding.

How did your experience at Southern shape the path you're on today?
It shaped everything. I met my wife here, and most of the people in my wedding party are people I met at Southern. This is also where I discovered my passion for higher education and decided to pursue it as a career.

What advice would you share with current or future Ohio University Southern students?
Go to class. It’s a lot easier to stay caught up when you’re actually attending. It’s easy to go home, especially if you live close by, but then it’s also easy not to come back. Stay on campus, stay engaged, and keep up with your classes.

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
I grew up in Coal Grove, so I was very well aware of OHIO Southern's campus and the prestige it held in the community. I was offered a scholarship opportunity upon graduation, which best fit my financial situation, and it was close to home. As for my major, I was aspiring to be a lawyer at the time, and I thought the Law Enforcement Technology and Criminal Justice programs would be a good lead-in to that career path. My aspirations eventually changed, but choosing Criminal Justice turned out to open a lot more doors than I ever expected.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OHIO Southern?
There are a lot, even though it's been close to a decade since I left. Dr. Crawford, Dr. McCoy, Dr. Duffy, and Dr. Jarrett were all huge impacts on me. A lot of the instruction was fun, engaging, and pertinent to the field I was going into. Those classroom experiences and the connections I made along the way are what stand out most when I look back.

How did your education prepare you for your career or life path?
A lot of connections were made here. My instructors were in the field. I had instructors who were former law enforcement officers, a former sheriff of the county, sociology professors with a lot of stature in the community. That really helped lead me into the future in a related field. The Criminal Justice degree also wasn't just about becoming a police officer or corrections officer. It really opened up different options for me to pursue, whether that was a pre-law program or a social work program. It gave me a lot of options to choose from, and that flexibility shaped everything that came after.

Who at OHIO Southern made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
Dr. Crawford was the associate dean when I was here and she really helped push me through. I actually double majored in Criminal Justice and Communication Studies, and a lot of that was with her guidance. She helped me see that I could do both within my time here, and that made a real difference.

Looking back, what does being an OHIO graduate mean to you?
It means being part of a big giant family. Regardless of whether it was 20 years ago, ten years ago, or one year ago, we're all part of this shared experience. We all went through different things, either at a regional campus or at the main campus in Athens, and we all grew professionally and personally through it. We're a collective family, regardless of when we were here, and we all have similar shared experiences we can look back on.

How have you stayed connected to OHIO or your community since graduation?
Through the work that I do. Being here in Lawrence County and working at Star Community Justice Center keeps me rooted in the same community that OHIO Southern shaped me in. The connections I made here and the perspectives I gained have carried directly into my career and into the relationships I build every day.

What advice would you give to current or future OHIO Southern students?
Don't limit yourself. Take every opportunity you can to learn and to grow. Listen to your peers, make connections across campus, and take elective classes outside of your field of study. I took business classes, I took a lot of classes outside of Criminal Justice, and not only did that help with networking but it gave me a lot of different perspectives. And remember that time goes by very quickly. My four years here felt like the longest experience of my life when I was in the middle of it, but looking back ten years later I see that this is where it all began. Take advantage of every moment.

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
It was close to home, I could still work full time and go to school full time, and a big portion of it was the financial aid package I received. I managed to go to school completely for free on scholarship. As for my major, I actually came to Ohio University Southern fully intending to get my degree in Electronic Media and then transfer to Athens. I went to Relocation Day in Athens and wasn't impressed. I still had a lot of my scholarship left to use, so I just started taking classes until I found something that stuck. It turns out I really like psychology, and I'm really good at it.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OHIO Southern?
One of my favorite moments was in Dave Surgalski's class, talking about advertising and the impact you need to make. He said the impact you need to make in advertising is like setting dynamite off in a cornfield. I use that all the time and I've never forgotten it.

How did your OHIO Southern education prepare you for your career or life path?
Everything that I learned at Southern made me into the person that I am today. I learned friendships, I learned good work ethic, I learned time management, and all of those things are skills that I use every day. Being able to work full time while going to school full time also prepared me in ways I didn't even realize at the time. It taught me how to manage competing priorities and show up for people even when things are demanding.

Who at OHIO Southern made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
Dave Surgalski stands out immediately. That dynamite in a cornfield line has stuck with me for years and still shapes how I think about making an impact in my work. But really, what made the biggest impression was the accessibility of the faculty overall. I could walk up to my professors and talk about my personal life, say hey I'm struggling with this, and they would listen. That kind of relationship isn't something you find everywhere.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OHIO Southern, and what did you learn from them?
Working full time while going to school full time is no small thing. But Southern made it possible. The professors here understood that students have lives outside the classroom, and if something came up, like a flat tire, my professor would give me an extension or let me retake a test. I never got that feeling when I visited Athens. Southern felt warm and inviting, and knowing that support was there made all the difference.

Looking back, what does being an OHIO Southern graduate mean to you?
I tell people all the time how thankful I am that I went to Southern specifically, because I was able to get my degree without going into massive amounts of debt, and I was able to start my career while I was still in school. Once a bobcat, always a bobcat. That's how that goes, and I'm glad that I'm here.

How have you stayed connected to OHIO Southern or your community since graduation?
By staying connected to Southern through social media and keeping up with what's happening on campus, I was actually able to come back and take a behavior technician course that helped further my career and helped me get the job I have now. That's the thing about this community. It keeps giving even after you graduate.

What advice would you give to current or future OHIO Southern students?
Come take a look and stay around. Ask your professors about their experiences, the stuff you're not going to learn inside a textbook. Always join a club. Get to know people you never thought you'd be friends with, expand your circle, and your life will be so much more enriched for it. Southern has a warmth to it that you won't find everywhere. Take advantage of that while you're here.

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
As a single mom with twins, I chose Ohio University Southern because it was close to home, affordable, and earning a degree in education would offer me a work schedule compatible with raising my children.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OHIO Southern?
It's difficult to narrow it down to just one favorite memory, but as an employee, graduation always stood out. Watching graduates reach their academic goals and seeing their proud families and friends celebrate with them will always be one of my favorite experiences.

How did your OHIO Southern education prepare you for your career or life path?
I often jokingly say I was the student who never left. I started working for Ohio University Southern before I graduated and remained there for more than 30 years.

Looking back, what does being an OHIO Southern graduate mean to you?
Ohio University Southern has been a huge part of my life, truly more than half of it. I earned my degree there, built a career, made lifelong friends, and discovered a passion for helping people.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OHIO Southern, and what did you learn from them?
My biggest challenge was the fear of failure. When I started college, I was a young divorced mother trying to find my way. Education became my path to success and to a new way of life.

How have you stayed connected to OHIO Southern or your community since graduation?
I retired from Ohio University Southern in October 2024. While I miss my coworkers and the campus, I've found another fulfilling career helping students in Adult Education at Collins Career Technical Center.

What advice would you give to current or future OHIO Southern students?
I was blessed with a mother who supported me throughout my journey. Whether it's a family member, friend, or someone on campus, find your person, someone who will encourage and support you along the way.

What drew you to Ohio University Southern, and what inspired you to choose your major?
Ohio University Southern initially appealed to me because of its proximity to home. I had also taken College Credit Plus courses through OU during high school, so I was already familiar with the campus and academic environment, which made the transition feel natural.

What is your favorite memory from your time at OHIO Southern?
During my time at OU, I explored several majors, including education and nursing, where I formed some truly meaningful friendships. Many of my favorite memories involve collaborating with those friends on projects, presentations, labs, and study groups.

How did your OHIO Southern education prepare you for your career or life path?
My experience at Ohio University provided me with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Although my current career is not directly related to my degree, the experiences I gained helped prepare me to continue my education and pursue my professional goals.

Who at OHIO Southern made a meaningful impact on your journey, and how did they influence you?
There were many individuals who influenced my journey, but one who stands out is Dr. Deborah Marinski, the current Dean of Campus and Community Relations. As a professor in the history program during my time as a student, her depth of knowledge and dedication to teaching accurate, unbiased history made a lasting impact on me.

What challenges did you overcome during your time at OHIO Southern, and what did you learn from them?
I experienced periods of indecision regarding my academic and career path, but I learned that it's okay to take time to explore different options. The advisors, faculty, and staff at OHIO Southern were consistently supportive and helped guide me through those decisions.

Looking back, what does being an OHIO Southern graduate mean to you?
Being an OHIO Southern graduate means feeling a strong sense of pride in, and connection to, my community.

How have you stayed connected to OHIO Southern or your community since graduation?
Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to stay involved through career exploration initiatives and community events hosted by OHIO Southern, and I look forward to continuing that involvement!

What advice would you give to current or future OHIO Southern students?
Don't be afraid to change your mind. Take the time to explore different paths, connect with faculty, and learn about what each program offers. Keeping an open mind can lead you to opportunities you may not have initially considered. There are so many amazing individuals at OHIO Southern who can help support you, so be sure to utilize them!