Community
C. Otis Smith of Jackson Township was named Trooper of the Year and Trevor L. Heavlin of East Canton was named Dispatcher of the Year at the Canton post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Smith joined the patrol in 2002 and has served at the Hiram, Ravenna and Canton posts. Heavlin joined in 2009 and also has served at the Wooster post.
The Akron-Canton Composite Squadron supports a youth development program within the Civil Air Patrol. This year, Julia Lowe, a student at the Ohio Distance and Electronic Learning Academy, was named the Cadet NCO of the Year; Cierra Duckworth, also of the academy, was named Officer of the Year; and Derek McGuckin, of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was named Cadet of the Year. The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
Education
Minerva author MariLee Parrish was elected to the alumni executive board at Malone University. She is a 2000 graduate of Malone.
Several faculty at Northeast Ohio Medical University were selected for membership in the Master Teacher Guild, an academy at the university dedicated to excellence in teaching. Timothy R. Brown, a professor of family and community medicine, and Richard J. Kasmer, a professor of pharmacy practice and associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Pharmacy, were named master teachers. Sara E. Dugan, an associate professor of both pharmacy practice and psychiatry; Patrick J. Gallegos, an associate professor of pharmacy practice and assistant professor of internal medicine; Dr. Laura H. Rocker, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry; and Timothy R. Ulbrich, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and director of pharmacy resident education, were named fellows. Heather A. McEwen, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice and reference librarian, was named an apprentice.
Four University of Akron inventors were named charter fellows in the National Academy of Invention: Stephen Z. D. Cheng, dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering; the late Alan N. Gent, former dean of graduate studies and research; Joseph P. Kennedy, distinguished professor of polymer science and chemistry; and George R. Newkome, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. The four inventors hold a combined 144 U.S.-issued patents.
Sixteen cosmetology students at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center won awards at a state competition sponsored by the Ohio Professional Cosmetology Association. Nearly 350 students took part in the contest. Nordonia Hills students Lydia Coffman won third place in nails and Aubrey Adams won first place in the ladies team overall and second place in the ladies team makeup. High school students from Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Garfield Heights, Independence, Nordonia Hills, North Royalton, Revere and Twinsburg are members of the career center district.
Military
Marine Corps Pfc. David A. McClinsey, son of Kimberly Whitby of Sugar Tree, Tenn., and Sonny McClinsey of Hudson, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He is a 2012 graduate of Hudson High School.
Justin M. Thompson was promoted to staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He is the son of Gary and Terri Brown of Marshallville.
Send notices of community, school and military achievements to Carol Biliczky at cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com or fax them to 330-996-3033.