EHE News

Eight remarkable alumni deliver on Ohio State promise, earn EHE awards

2008 alumni awardees chosen by their peers for their dedication

Sean Thompson, director of Alumni Relations, emceed the alumni awards event. Here he is with Louann 'Tot' Heinrichs, recipient of the Meritorious Service Award.

A panel of alumni board members from the College of Education and Human Ecology selected eight alumni for recognition this autumn at the inaugural Alumni Society Awards ceremony. Awardees, their families and friends, and interested alumni crowded the Saunders Grand Lounge at Ohio State's Longaberger Alumni House for the event on Saturday, November 8, 2008.

The contributions of these honorees provide a positive influence on the lives of children and adults worldwide. As a college, we overflow with pride as our graduates carry the knowledge and skills learned at Ohio State into the world and build better lives for us all.

Career Achievement Awards
Young Professional Awards
Meritorious Service Award
- Louann 'Tot' Heinrichs

Career Achievement Awards

Criteria: Honors alumni whose proven records of achievement illustrate their outstanding contributions to their professions.

Diebley

James A. Diebley: Supercharging kids to serve and learn
Singapore
B.S. '90, Industrial Technology Education;
M.A. 92, Technology Education, Ball State University

Jim Diebley has made his home on the Pacific Rim. On Guam, he was actively involved with curriculum writing and administering educational programs through the Vocational Division of the Guam Department of Education. He is most proud of his role in renovating an antiquated industrial arts program/lab into a thriving technology educational program, despite minimal resources.

Diebley moved in 1996 to the Singapore American School (SAS), the world's largest, single-campus, international school, becoming the technology teacher for grades 6-8. He has a passion for reaching out to those in need. In 2000 he co-founded Keyboards for Kids, a community service program to collect and distribute reconditioned school computers, first in India and now in Indonesia.

Each school year, he runs multiple donation trips with SAS students to distribute to and set up 250-300 computers at kampong (village) schools on the Riau Islands. Many rural villages have unstable or no electricity, so he ingeniously converted used 20-ft. shipping containers into computer classrooms, with electrical outlets hooked to small gas-powered generators. Since 2000, all secondary schools in Bintan Island have received donated computers from the Singapore American School.

Heinrichs

Stephen C. Heinrichs: Inventing products that improve and save lives
Clayton, Ohio
B.S. '74 and M.A. '78, Physical Education

Steve Heinrichs has used what he learned as an undergraduate varsity gymnast and cheerleader in all aspects of his life. He taught and coached gymnastics, diving, tennis, and track and field at Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio, for 30 years. Among his honors is the 1995 Ashland Oil Excellence in Teaching Award. He also taught preservice teachers at the University of Dayton.

While teaching, Heinrichs researched and developed innovative rehabilitation products. He eventually patented a harness that allows physical therapists to help children and adults with disabilities safely practice walking and balance training. He also developed a harness that fire fighters and other safety forces use to lift people out of small, confined situations. The items are produced by M.A.S.S. Inc. (movement and sports specialties), co-founded with his wife, Karen.

James

Bonnie James: Honing the competitive edge of struggling readers
Columbus, Ohio
B.S. '67, Education

Bonnie James has spent 30 years changing lives as president of Advanced Reading Concepts, founded in 1977. The company has taught almost 10,000 students and professionals to read more efficiently by combining the best strategies for increasing reading speed and comprehension with accelerated learning techniques.

Between 1967 and 1977, James taught first grade and preschool. Then she co-founded the Columbus-based Advanced Reading Concepts with only a small startup fund from an outside investor. She saw an opportunity to make a career out of what she loved: helping people reach their potential by giving them a competitive edge based on confidence and skills. Her clients admire her innovative and fresh curriculum, and even the most reluctant readers can become excited about using her techniques. In addition, she is a mentor to other small business owners, fosters professional organizations, and shares her talents with community groups.

Mason

Marietta Marvin Mason: Launching solid financial futures
Maryville, Tennessee
B.S. '79, Home Economics Education;
M.S. '81, Family Resource Management

Even as an undergraduate, Marietta Mason displayed an acceptance of all kinds of people. She was selected to take part in the International 4-H Youth Exchange Program in Taiwan. During her experience, she lived with 16 different families, handling the changes with grace.

Since 1999, Mason has built her own business, Mason Associates, LLC, as a certified financial planner and chartered life underwriter. She places particular emphasis on serving women. Clients praise her honesty and depth of commitment as she ranges from advising a new widow uncertain of her financial future to reviewing a client's portfolio to ensure a comfortable retirement. She is not motivated by personal gain but is dedicated to serving clients' needs. She continually seeks out avenues to increase her already impressive knowledge. She is also praised for generosity, being very involved in community organizations with a long list of volunteer activities.

Young Professional Awards

Criteria: Honoring alumni under 35 years of age who have already demonstrated distinctive achievement in career or civic involvement.

Benton

Katie Pakel Benton: Augmenting kids' learning through journalism
Upper Arlington, Ohio
B.S. '96, Journalism, summa cum laude, Ohio University;
M.Ed '02, Early and Middle Childhood Education, The Ohio State University

From the time of her student teaching days, Katie Pakel Benton has demonstrated an understanding of the education profession and its responsibilities. She came to education as a second career, after six years as an award-winning young public relations professional. Since 2002, she has been integral to the third- and fourth-grade Informal Alternative Program at Barrington Elementary School in the Upper Arlington City Schools District. Her colleagues give high praise to her understanding of curriculum, as well as knowledge of student needs, abilities and readiness to learn. Her numerous activities include founding The Barrington Times, a student newspaper that received national recognition from Time magazine, Time for Kids, and the Association of Educational Publishers. She supports her fellow teachers by serving on several building and district committees, including one for professional development, as well as giving presentations at conferences. She sees parents as co-educators and keeps them informed through the quarterly Inside Informal, a newsletter she publishes for Barrington's Informal Alternative Program.

Jones

Carrie A. Jones: Connecting kids to earth and environmental science
Raleigh, North Carolina
B.S. '98, Biology;
M.Ed. '99, Math, Science and Technology Education, The Ohio State University;
completing Ph.D. in Science Education, North Carolina State University in spring 2009

Carrie Jones has an impressive record of academic and professional achievement in teaching science. She is science department chair and earth/environmental teacher for Middle Creek High School, a high-performing school in Wake County, North Carolina. She also is the science department chair for North Carolina Virtual Public School, for which she has developed and taught several courses. She has received six research grants since 2002. Among her honors are the North Carolina Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award in 2006, K-12 Classroom Educator of the Year Award from the Mid-Atlantic Marine Science Education Association in 2007, and she completed a two-year Kenan Fellowship through NC State University in 2008. She shares her knowledge with her district and state colleagues through conferences, as well as provides professional service in the community. Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society has named her its Outstanding Science Teacher for 2008.

Moyer

Amy Moyer: Transforming kids through community responsibility
Andover, Ohio
B.S. '96, English Education, The Ohio State University;
completing M.A. in Humanities, Tiffin University

English teacher Amy Moyer is credited with transforming Pymatuning Valley High School in a very short time. She implemented the PV Bucks/PRIDE program, recognized as one of the most creative community responsibility programs ever developed. As students earned rewards for attendance, grades, community activities, behavior, school spirit and kindness to others, the high school's culture transformed. The school has received an Excellent rating from the Ohio Department of Education since implementing PRIDE.

Previously, Moyer was instrumental in converting Canton, Ohio's McKinley High School into five small learning communities, and in creating standards-based curriculum at Stephen F. Austin High School in Texas. At each school, she has analyzed data to target student needs and established professional development opportunities. Her colleagues call her an educational visionary, relentless in pursuing quality programs and educational opportunities for all children.

Meritorious Service Award

Criteria: Recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has distinguished himself or herself by dedicated service to the College of Education and Human Ecology.

Heinrichs

Louann 'Tot' Heinrichs: Enriching lives through Buckeye values
Greenville, Ohio
B.S. '49, Home Economics Education, The Ohio State University

Graduating with a degree in home economics education, Tot Heinrichs has never forgotten her Ohio State roots. Dedicating service to her alma mater, she works tirelessly to promote loyalty and fellowship among alumni, faculty and staff, students and friends of the college. Her efforts include reorganizing the Darke County Alumni Club, developing a Key Alumni Program, and raising funds for student scholarships.

Heinrichs has been recognized with the Best Buckeye Alumni Club Officer Award and the Outstanding OSU Alumni Leader Award by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. She instills the value of being a Buckeye in her grandchildren, having taught each of them the Ohio State fight song and Carmen Ohio before the age of two.

The Ohio State University

www.osu.edu