Past Outstanding Community Service Awardees

2020 Outstanding Community Service Awardee

Laurie Sheridan Lach, Director, Development and External Affairs, Ohio University Lancaster (Advancement)

Laurie Sheridan Lach is a native of Athens and a two-time graduate of OHIO. Earlier in her career, she served on the executive committee for OHIO’s Schey Sales Centre and quickly discovered the rewards of helping students learn and grow. Eight years ago, Laurie made her way back home to Ohio University and currently oversees fundraising, external outreach, and traditions that sustain OHIO’s strong community connection in Fairfield County and central Ohio.

Outstanding Administrator for Ohio University in 2018, Laurie is also a 2018 graduate of the HERS Leadership Institute. She is co-creator of ohiowomen in medicine, serves on the OHIO Today advisory committee, and the Scripps College of Communication, School of Communication Studies alumni council. Laurie’s service to her community fills her love tank. A member of the Lancaster Festival Board of Directors, and Chair of the Covered Bridge Music Series committee, Laurie works to bring emerging singer-songwriter talent to the community. She is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for inspiHER (pronounced inspire), a leadership foundation for girls in grades 5-8. Laurie, and her husband Jack, reside in Fairfield County and enjoy time with their family – Katie & son-in-law Garrett, Grant, Grace, Kelley and Sean.

Rebecca Robison-Miller, Senior Director for Community Relations, College of Health Sciences & Professions

Rebecca Robison-Miller serves as the Senior Director of Community Relations for the College of Health Sciences & Professions. In this role she works with students and community partners to promote collaboration and service. She also works on college strategic outreach efforts like substance use disorder education and is one of the founders of Athens HOPE: Helping Overcome substance use disorder through Prevention & Education which includes 80 community and university partners. She has also started an Aging in Our Community initiative with CHSP and other university faculty in addition to 30 community partners. Together they are working to pursue an Age Friendly Athens certification.

Before coming to the university, Rebecca worked in non-profit child advocacy and welfare for over 15 years. In these roles she had the opportunity to work collaboratively with a wide variety of community organizations in both direct service and agency leadership positions.

Rebecca has lived in Athens for over 30 years, is a two-time graduate of OHIO and has been adjunct instructor for fourteen years in the Child & Family Studies program. Rebecca adores spending time with her daughters, husband and friends and will take any opportunity to practice yoga or be outside, especially on the beautiful local trails.

2019 Outstanding Community Service Awardee

Faith Beale Knutsen; Director, Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service

Faith Knutsen is the Director of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service, where she is employed since 2008.  She directs the Social Enterprise Ecosystem program, bringing venture development services and capital access to social enterprises in rural SE Ohio and contiguous states.  She lectures at the University and to community and civic organizations on entrepreneurial ecosystem development, venture development toolkits, and grantwriting.  Faith is an active participant in implementing multiple regional pitch competitions for K-12 and college entrepreneurs.  Previously, she held an executive administrative role at Sunpower, Inc., an engineering R&D firm.  Faith began her professional career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in central Africa and currently serves as a periodic consultant in multiple African venues. She holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree from Ohio University. Faith enjoys in multiple different kinds of volunteer activities locally, from serving beverages at Ohio Valley Summer Theater’s Mom’s Weekend fundraisers to overseeing ReUse Industries move-out weekend donation site.  There’s always new people to meet and share stories with on the volunteer circuit!  Faith is a member of three social enterprise Boards, a playwright for local non-profits, and the parent of two undergraduates. 

 

Ana L. Rosado Feger, Ph.D.,  Associate Professor, Management Systems, College of Business

Ana L. Rosado Feger is a university faculty member whose interest in education spans the gamut from preschool to lifelong learning. She has taught at Ohio University for over ten years and served as a faculty mentor to first-generation and to underrepresented minority students. Her community service activities revolve around education in its many forms, from the identification and service of children who qualify for special education, to the advancement and support of the arts and the academic and emotional growth of all students. She currently holds leadership positions at the Athens Association for Gifted Children, the Athens Band Boosters, and the Athens High School Academic Boosters, as well as serving on the planning committee for TechSavvy, an annual STEM career conference for middle school girls. She has provided written testimony to the Ohio legislature, coached LEGO robotics, counseled parents about school options, and learned to always carry a spare pair of black socks to band competitions. Ana lives in Athens with her husband, their two sons, and two joyful pugs. In her free time, she unwinds by running, reading, and enjoying good food and good friends.

2018 Outstanding Community Service Awardee

Tara Stowe, Records Management Specialist, Undergraduate Admissions

Tara Griffitts Stowe wears several hats at Ohio University and in the Athens community. She serves prospective students in Undergraduate Admissions as a Records Management Specialist and teaches technical writing in Interdisciplinary Health Studies with the College of Health Sciences and Professions. She has extensive experience working with first generation college students and underrepresented groups, regularly supporting educational access as a workshop presenter with student organizations. More broadly, Tara dedicates her time developing and implementing inclusive, wellness-related activities for the Athens community and enjoys spending her days outdoors, helping to make the area better through volunteer clean-up efforts. A two-time OHIO graduate, Tara loves working with OHIO students as much as she loves the unique flavor of Athens. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, running, reading, lively conversations about Harry Potter with her two teenagers and spending time with friends and family.

Kerri Shaw, Social Work Field Education Instructor, College of Health Sciences and Professions

Kerri Shaw is a social work instructor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, where her focus is field education. Kerri is an alumnus of Ohio University and returned to Athens in 2003 to earn her Master's degree in Social Work, upon completing three years of service in Paraguay in the Peace Corps. She has practiced school social work in Marietta and Glouster, was awarded Athens County Woman of the Year in 2014 for her work with women and children, and enjoys leading a study abroad program to Paraguay each spring. She lives with her partner and their son, Harper, and a menagerie of pets. 

2017 Outstanding Community Service Awardee

Barbara Harrison

Barbara Harrison has served as the Assistant Director for Community Engagement Programs, within the Campus Involvement Center at Ohio University, since 2012. In this position, Barb has responsibility for connecting students with volunteer service opportunities, helping them navigate the process of moving off campus, and grow as active citizens in the community.

Barb has worked at Ohio University within the Division of Students Affairs for 26 years. Prior to her role in the CIC she was a professional staff member of the Department of Residence Life (now Housing and Residence life) from 1991 until 2012. Her positions included Resident Director, Associate Director and Assistant Director.

Barb is an active Athens community member has been involved in multiple community organizations, including serving on the boards of United Campus Ministry and The Athens Area Mediation Services, but now focuses most of her volunteer efforts as a leader and member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens. She currently serves as an appointed member of the Joint Police Advisory Committee and the South-East Ohio Foodbank Advisory Committee.

Barb graduated with her B.S. in Communications and Women's Studies certificate from Ohio University in 1987 and received her M.A. in Higher Education Administration from New York University in 1991. Her professional career in student affairs began by serving as a hall director at Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA from 1987-1989. Barb has also served the Ohio College Personnel Association in a variety of leadership roles including President in 1999-2000. Barb is lovingly supported by her husband Patrick Gordon and son Daniel Wasserman and lives on over 7 beautiful acres outside of Athens.