Alex Shumate ’72 and Kara Trott ’83 included among Central Ohio’s ‘Smart 50’
Ohio Wesleyan students, faculty, staff, and alumni make headlines every day with their expertise and accomplishments. Here are a few of the latest highlights…
Kara Trott ’83
Alex Shumate ’72
Alex Shumate ’72 and Kara Trott ’83
Central Ohio’s “Smart 50” list includes OWU alumni Alex Shumate and Kara Trott.
The list, published by Smart Business Network (SBN) and the Oswald Cos., “celebrate and recognize central Ohio’s top executives for their ability to effectively build and lead innovative and ‘smart’ organizations. All the honorees make a difference in their organizations and the region in many ways, including innovation, impact on employment, and business sustainability.”
Shumate is managing partner of the Columbus office of Squire Patton Boggs, an international integrated legal firm. According to SBN, “Shumate’s management style stems from extensive civic involvement and the belief that leadership in the law and in the community are the essential ingredients of success.”
Trott is the CEO of Quantum Health, an award-winning consumer navigation and care coordination company serving the healthcare needs of self-funded, public- and private-sector employers across the United States. According to SBN, Trott “spent years conducting in-depth consumer behavior research in the retail industry. She realized those same principles could be applied to the health care system, making Quantum Health the first health care company to apply consumer-research based strategies.”
Read the full Smart Business Network article, “Central Ohio’s Smart 50 make success happen by being on target.”
Amina Mendez ’12
Amina Mendez ’12
Amina Mendez and her mother, Remy, were featured speakers at the recent Opportunity International National Summit in Chicago.
Remy Mendez earned about $2 a day as a farm worker in the Philippines until an Opportunity International loan enabled her to start her own business. As a result, Amina Mendez was able to enroll in the University of the Philippines and, later, Ohio Wesleyan, where she studied mathematics and computer science.
Since her graduation, Amina has returned to the Philippines to work for the same Opportunity International Bank that gave her mother her life-changing loan.
Read more about Amina and Remy Mendez and the efforts of Opportunity International in the Huffington Post article, “An Important Day in the Fight Against Poverty.”
Alexandra ‘Alex’ Herger ’78
Alexandra ‘Alex’ Herger ’78
Alex Herger is recommended for the Board of Directors of Panoro Energy ASA. Herger has extensive leadership experience in worldwide exploration for oil and gas companies.
Most recently served as vice president of global exploration for Marathon Oil Corporation. Previously, she worked as director of international exploration and new ventures for Marathon. During her time with the company, she led five new country entries and was responsible for adding net discovered resources of more than 500 million equivalent barrels of oil to Marathon’s portfolio.
At Ohio Wesleyan, she majored in geology. Read the complete announcement, “Afrique Energie Corp. Voices Support for New Nominees to the Board of Directors of Panoro Energy ASA.”
Tim Schmiechen ’85
Tim Schmiechen ’85
Tim Schmiechen is promoted to athletic director at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he has been a coach since 1990. He has served as the college’s associate athletic director for the past eight years.
At Beloit, Schmiechen has the most overall and conference victories of any men’s soccer coach in Midwest Conference history. At Ohio Wesleyan, he majored in physical education.
Read the complete Beloit Daily News article, “Schmiechen promoted to Bucs’ A.D.”
Bob DiBiasio ’77
Bob DiBiasio ’77
The Twinsburg, Ohio-based Hattie Larlham organization announces plans to honor both Bob DiBiasio, senior vice president of public affairs for Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Indians Charities at the nonprofit’s Nov. 1 Circle of Caring event.
Hattie Larlham supports those with developmental disabilities by providing medical, residential, recreational, and vocational services. DiBiasio, a member of the Indians organization for 35 years, actively raises awareness and funds for people with developmental disabilities and was instrumental in developing a Hattie Larlham summer camp in Arizona. At Ohio Wesleyan, DiBiasio majored in journalism and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
Read the complete TribeVibe article, “Hattie Larlham to honor Cleveland Indians Charities, Tribe VP Bob DiBiasio at annual Circle of Caring event.”
Andrew Wallace ’15
Brian Rellinger
Brian Rellinger and Andrew Wallace ’15
Brian Rellinger, Ed.D., OWU’s chief information officer, and student Andrew Wallace discuss the potential uses of drones in higher education in a Huffington Post news article.
Writer Vala Afshar reports that Rellinger “has been experimenting with drones on campus to see firsthand how they can used to enhance teaching, learning, research, and service to society. Some OWU students are already bringing drones on campus, further extending the bring-your-own-device concept.”
Rellinger and Afshar also collaborated to create a list of 10 possible uses for drones in higher education, including “student projects exploring the intersection between art and technology and research.”
Wallace, an OWU senior who purchased his own drone, tells Afshar, “I think the possibilities are endless. From a marketing standpoint, drones offer a way to see the entire campus in a different way. You can capture almost any outdoor event in a less intrusive manner and in a way that people really get excited about.”
Read the complete Huffington Post article, “10 Uses of Drones in Higher Education.” OWU Mortar Board
The Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society awards a Silver Torch Award to OWU’s Mortar Board chapter for successfully meeting all national standards and deadlines. The award was presented at the Society’s National Conference held in Atlanta.
Founded in 1918, Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. Learn more about Mortar Board at www.mortarboard.org.