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Shine On!

Ohio Wesleyan's Doug Koyle and Deb Lovell Win Staff Council Awards, New Service Day Announced

It was a day filled with "STARs, SPARKs, SHINE, and Service" – and even more "s" words – when Ohio Wesleyan University honored two employees for exceptional work and 73 others for milestone anniversaries, and unveiled a new Bishop Day of Service.

President Matt vandenBerg announced the two award winners and the new service initiative, which, effective immediately, enables all full- and part-time faculty and staff who have worked for the University for at least six months to receive a day of paid time off each year to complete volunteer work in the community.

"It's all 's' words," vandenBerg joked with employees attending the Jan. 21 SHINE and Celebrate Luncheon. "STARs, SPARKs, SHINE, and Service … a celebration of the stubbornly smart, student-serving, solution-seeking staff and faculty who still somehow make this place sing!"

The annual Staff Council-sponsored event was renamed this year as SHINE and Celebrate, with SHINE standing for Service, Honor, Impact, and Noteworthy Experience. "We like a good acronym at Ohio Wesleyan, don't we?" vandenBerg quipped before he turned to the serious and significant work of announcing the 2025 staff awards.

A Spectacular SPARK

Academic assistant Deb Lovell earned the 2025 SPARK Award, given annually, along with the STAR Award, to recognize a Bishop staff member who "beams with Bishop Pride, is hard-working, supportive, positive, and always on their A-Game," vandenBerg said.

He shared that Lovell, who joined the University in 2023, was nominated for the SPARK Award by eight colleagues who shared in their letters:

• "She notices when someone is overwhelmed or unsure and jumps in to support them without hesitation."
• "She is a leader for our department's student workers and helps them to achieve in both a professional environment and in their academics."
• "She hit the ground running two years ago and has never let up."
• She is "our own Mary Poppins – nearly perfect in every way."

Vanessa Hildebrand, chair of the Division of Social Sciences and associate professor of Sociology & Anthropology, also spoke about Lovell and her OWU impact, sharing: "In a very short period of time, Deb Lovell has made an indelible impact at OWU. … She can do anything, and she does it really well."

Those do-anything skills are highlighted by connecting with others and showing deep kindness, Hildebrand said, but also include making people feel seen, providing sage advice, demonstrating quiet leadership, and being "the best problem-solver," Hildebrand said. "Deb, we are all so thankful for you."

A Super & Shining STAR

Doug Koyle, associate dean for student success, earned the 2025 STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Award, excelling in all award categories of:

• Going above and beyond his normal job responsibilities, earning trust and respect from his colleagues.
• Making a positive impact on faculty, staff, students, and/or trustees.
• Exemplifying the pride and spirit of Ohio Wesleyan and the outside community.
• Continuously demonstrating dedication to OWU.

Koyle, who joined the OWU staff in 2018, was nominated by 12 colleagues, vandenBerg said, who shared in their recommendation letters that this STAR:

• "Is the first to help solve a problem and the first to celebrate a success."
• "Models steady leadership and unwavering commitment to making OWU better every single day."
• "Brings people together, helps colleagues navigate difficult situations, and models what compassionate, student-centered work looks like."
• "Is consistently dedicated to serving our students and their families to ensure that even during some of their most difficult times, they are seen and heard. His willingness to be present, take action, and prioritize student well-being exemplifies his exceptional commitment to our campus community and has made him an indispensable and trusted colleague."
• "Is one of the most consistent and devoted colleagues with whom I have ever worked."

Dwayne Todd, vice president for student engagement and success, shared that Koyle doesn't seek the spotlight for his work. "Doug is humble, and I'm 100% confident that he is squirming in his seat right now 'cause he knows I'm going to say some nice things about him, so squirm away, Doug."

Todd called Koyle "100% authentic in every way, all the time. He is calm, kind, and caring with everyone, without exception. …

"He is often found serving students who are in a state of crisis or confusion, who can't find a way forward, who are facing a difficult crossroad, or who can't find the resources to pull things together on their own," Todd shared. "His patient and assuring support has helped so many students re-center themselves, clarify their options and move forward, regain a sense of belonging, or just be reminded that OWU cares about them and is paying attention. I know that Doug has made an enormous difference for so many students because they tell me so."

In addition to honoring the SPARK and STAR award winners, OWU Staff Council and the Office of Human Resources also celebrated 2025 milestone staff and faculty anniversaries at the luncheon, and President vandenBerg thanked everyone for their tireless dedication to Ohio Wesleyan's students.

"Thank you for the people you are, the professionals you are," vandenBerg said. "Thank you for the work that you do, and thank you for the way in which you do that work."

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Ohio Wesleyan's 2025 Employee Service Milestones

One Year of Service

• Mehwish Abbasi – Assistant Professor of Data Analytics
• Ellen Arnold – Chair of the Department of History
• Barb Bird – Director of the Smith Center for Faculty Excellence
• Sarah Burns – Senior Associate Director of Admission
• Nikki Byrd – Academic Support Coordinator
• Yi Chieh Chiu – Staff Accompanist for the Department of Performing Arts
• Paul Feliciano – Institutional Research Analyst
• Gabriella Friedman – Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing)
• Kelly Garrett – Cheer Coach
• Kandace Gay – Payroll Specialist
• Rebecca Gehrisch – Substitute Teacher for the Early Childhood Center
• Nicholas Geis – Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
• Lee Glass – Strength and Conditioning Head Coach
• Melissa Harris – Bishop ACCESS Academic Coach and Assistant Coordinator
• Evan Helenberger – Central Receiving Clerk
• Miranda Horn – Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
• Shivani Jethwa – Major Gifts Officer
• Joshua Jones – Plumber
• Adrienne Luke – Transfer Evaluation Specialist
• Sarah Madtes – Clinical Therapist
• Cristiane Marchand – Public Safety Officer (Part Time)
• Christina Muirhead-Gould – Academic Assistant
• Eric Nauman – Assistant Professor of Accounting
• Vincent Pickett – Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Jordyn Ping – Assistant Director of Student Involvement
• Anthony Rinaldi – Associate Director of Admission
• Kevin Rossi – Advancement Research Analyst
• Melissa Stansbery – Head Teacher for the Early Childhood Center
• Elizabeth Starns – Assistant Professor of Health & Human Kinetics
• Alex Stevens – Campus Events Specialist
• Sonya Thompson – Employment Specialist
• Ashley Tschakert Foertmeyer – Teaching and Engagement Librarian
• Grant Walby – Assistant Professor of Chemistry
• Deandra Wright – Residential Life Coordinator

Five Years of Service

• Destiny Coleman – Director of The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship
• Karlyn Crowley – Provost
• Tammie Edwards – Bishop Access Academic Coach
• Melinda Endres – Research Technician
• James Green – Assistant Track and Field Coach
• Lisa Hill – Academic Assistant
• Molly Grace Lovette – Assistant Director of Residential Life
• Kelly Milliken – Head Teacher, Early Childhood Center
• Jason Timpson – Director of Multicultural Student Affairs
• Chelsea Vadnie – Assistant Professor of Psychology
• Katy Wood – Assistant Coordinator of Peer Tutoring and Coordinator of the Academic Skills Center

10 Years of Service

• Kira Bailey – Associate Professor of Psychology
• Rick Bending – Mailroom Associate
• Jackie Harmony – Public Safety Officer
• Pam Majors – Library Circulation Manager
• Dustin Reichard – Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
• Betsy Reser – Institutional Buyer
• Brenda Semit – Head Women's Field Hockey Coach and Instructor of Health & Human Kinetics

15 Years of Service

• Diana Brooks – Mailroom Associate
• Glenn Bryan – Professor of Business Administration
• Mindie Burke – Assistant Director of Alumni Events & Experiences
• Andrew Busch – Associate Professor of Health & Human Kinetics
• Elaine Chun – Multimedia Technology Services Manager
• David Counselman – Associate Professor of World Languages & Cultures
• Susan Gunasti – Professor of Philosophy & Religion
• Mike Plantholt – Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
• Brian Rellinger – Associate Provost for Academic Support and Chief Information Officer
• Melody Rotondo – Head Teacher for the Early Childhood Center
• Jennifer Seely – Accounting Manager

20 Years of Service

• Cassie Cunningham – Head Softball Coach
• Chad Johns – University Chaplain

25 Years of Service

• Patricia DeMarco – Professor of English
• James Franklin – Professor of Politics & Government
• Heather Grunkemeyer – Associate Professor of Chemistry
• Scott Linder – Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
• Saif Rahman – Associate Professor of Economics

Barb Wiehe – Greenhouse Supervisor and Environmental Health & Safety Officer

30 Years of Service

• Scott Calef – Professor of Philosophy & Religion

55 Years of Service

• Harold Wiebe – Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science and Network Administrator