Alumni Awards 2018

The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University is proud to present the 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee and Alumni Award recipients chosen by the EHE Alumni Society.

In a 40-year career, Hoy has distinguished himself as a trailblazing creator of knowledge in the field of educational administration. He is the author of what likely is the most widely read text in the field, still used extensively after 38 years and nine editions. As the Novice G. Fawcett Chair in Educational Administration for 19 years, he created a body of work that is unique in quality and volume. He has provided continuous assessment of how schools work and how they might be made better. His work has helped establish the conceptual foundations for educational administrators worldwide. He has accrued multiple honors, including being named Fellow of the prestigious American Educational Research Association.

Beyond Hoy’s scholarship, his career impact is measured by the sustained success of his students. They range from school, district and state leaders — who apply his research in the field — to university professors, department chairs and deans who continue to build on his scholarship. 

Put simply, Hoy is a consummate educator. His great gift is not just his scholarly ability, but his remarkable connection to his students and colleagues and his willingness to lend them his indomitable fighting spirit.

A professor of mathematics education at Towson University for 31 years, Krach is valued as an innovative and talented educator. He makes a difference for students and teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as for university faculty. He is a star in his department and college, praised as a supportive mentor, accomplished scholar and outstanding teacher. Former students constantly seek his advice. Krach has influenced thousands throughout his career, including through his leadership in the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the many workshops and professional development sessions he has led at local, regional and national conferences.

For nearly 60 years, Olson has excelled in all facets of education. He was a nationally recognized superintendent of Pittsburgh City Schools as well as state director of vocational, technical and adult education in Pennsylvania. He was a much-appreciated president of a two-year college in North Dakota. Perhaps most notable while superintendent, he navigated the tumultuous time of student riots and school integration. Despite the distractions, he never wavered, said a former colleague. He remained focused on meeting the needs of all students. Today, Olson is a volunteer consultant with Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society at Bowling Green State University, having retired as associate executive director.

As a professor of computer graphics technology at Purdue University who “leverages knowledge for good,” Miller has inspired 20,000-plus students to “relentlessly and fearlessly pursue our dreams, which has led to the production of countless powerhouses in the industry today.” He specializes in teaching engineering and technical graphics, including use in areas such as product management lifecycles. The National Science Foundation chose him to help create a curriculum framework for teaching engineering graphics into the next century, and he co-authored two bestselling technical graphics textbook series. Thanks to his expertise and commitment, many of his former students are now Fortune 500 executives, business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as academics.

Martin believes that education can light up a dark world. A high school dropout with five children, she completed a GED and later joined the Wexner Medical Center as a patient care associate. She became so good at teaching patient care, a position in Nursing Education was created. Despite incredible life challenges, she completed two degrees. Now assistant director of the medical center’s Diagnostic Transport Department, she is lauded for improving operations. Dedicated to advancing careers, she created the medical center’s Women Moving Forward program. She also is committed to social change through diversity education, so she designs enriching training experiences as well as serves on community boards.

A business leader in foodservice and hospitality, Shockey uses her knowledge and vast experience to relate current trends to projects that are dear to her and her alma mater. A principal of Ruck-Shockey Inc., she is facilitating an award-winning design for the nutrition suites at the Wexner Medical Center. She also is lending her skill and time to design the college's nutrition research and teaching labs. Shockey served as committee chair for the college’s five-year campaign, which raised a record $62 million. She models giving back with her own contributions, and serves on The Ohio State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, currently as treasurer.

A major training initiative at Ohio State focuses on implicit bias. The person often behind that training for students, faculty and staff is Kelly Capatosto. A senior researcher at Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Capatosto uses her expertise in implicit bias, diversity and inclusion to counsel high-profile audiences at local and national levels, including the Ohio State Senate, Ohio Civil Rights Commission and Health Policy Institute of Ohio. She is co-authoring a book on implicit bias in schools. Capatosto’s commitment to service and her passion for social justice expand her leadership and help Ohio State make meaningful change.

“Teaching is one of the most patriotic acts in this country,” said Erica Jordan-Thomas at TEDxCharlotte in 2017. As principal of Ranson Middle School, an International Baccalaureate School in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district, Jordan-Thomas transforms the teachers and students she leads. She nurtures “Beyoncé educators” who drop No. 1-album equivalents in the form of high student achievement every year. Jordan-Thomas has created a way for these educators to reach every classroom. The multi-classroom leaders program lets high-performing teachers teach while coaching others to replicate classroom gains. Her approach moved the middle school from crisis to success. People from across the United States visit to observe these best practices.

2021 honorees

2020 honorees

2019 honorees

2018 honorees