Community
Rebecca R. Clark received the credential of certified administrator of volunteer services by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration, a nationwide organization that certifies individuals who are proficient in volunteer health-care management. Clark is manager of volunteer services at the Summa Health System in Akron.
Carla Sibley, director of community relations for Akron Public Schools, is one of three recipients of a 2012 Asset Builder Award from the Ohio Department of Education. The annual award recognizes people who have made exceptional contributions to youth development through effective risk prevention and intervention. Sibley began her career with Akron schools in 1994.
Education
Keith Hawkins, a student at Ohio University and a native of Canton, was selected by the British government as one of 36 winners of this year’s Marshall Scholarship. The graduate students from across the United States get to spend up to three years studying at a U.K. university of their choice. Hawkins will study astrophysics at the University of Cambridge.
Gretchan E. Sekulich, vice president of communications for FirstEnergy, has joined the Professional Advisory Board at Kent State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Sekulich graduated from KSU in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and journalism and joined Ohio Edison in 1981.
Beverly Cain, originally of Barberton and now of Columbus, received the Friend of the Year Award from Kent State’s School of Library and Information Science. Others who won awards from the KSU school were: Paige Lucas-Stannard of Damascus, Ohio, the Information Architecture and Knowledge Management Alumnus of the Year Award; Jeff Young of Marion, Alumnus of the Year; Elizabeth Owens of Olmsted Falls, the August Alpers Award; Shelly Miller of Bloomville, Ohio, the Beta Phi Mu Student Achievement Award; Jon-Erik Gilot of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, the H.F. Group Preservation Award; Kathleen Rak of Cleveland, the Janice Smuda Children’s Librarianship Award; Ruwaida Salem of North Canton, the Thomas J. Froehlich Award; Karyn Lewis, originally of Fairborn, the Dan Maclachlan School Library Media Award; and Jodi Cooper-Wentz of Mansfield, the Dan Maclachlan School Library Media Award. All graduated from the KSU library program.
Brandon Turley, son of Robert and Jennifer Turley of Akron, was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society. He is studying communications and journalism at Kent State. He graduated from Ellet High in 2009.
The Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication named Elizabeth Z. Bartz as its 2012 William D. Taylor Distinguished Alumni Award winner. Bartz, president and chief executive officer of State and Federal Communications in Akron, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from KSU. The Taylor award is the highest distinction given to school alumni.
Kent State student Brittany Casper of Brunswick was among 24 students nationwide to win $5,000 scholarships from the National Retail Federation. Students were selected for their scholastic achievements and passion for the retail industry.
John Finer, a professor in Ohio State’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science in Wooster, was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was among 18 OSU faculty named to the association this year.
Military
Marine Corps Pfc. Ronald K. Reed III, a 2009 graduate of Field High School in Mogadore, graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Air Force Airman Elizabeth M. Cunniff, daughter of John Cunniff of Akron, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. She is a 2010 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron.
Marine Corps Pvt. Treshonne M. Sykes, son of Nakietha R. Washington of Akron, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
Marine Corps Pfc. Shane A. Blain, brother of Chasity Oaks of Akron and Jim Davis of Barberton, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Blain is a 2012 graduate of Barberton High School.
Send notices of school, community and military achievement to Carol Biliczky at cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com or fax them to 330-996-3033.