Four individuals were selected to receive the Northwest State Community College Distinguished Alumni Award for 2020-21. Those individuals were officially recognized during a special luncheon ceremony Saturday, May 15, prior to spring commencement ceremonies.
Plaques with their likeness will be added to the prestigious Alumni wall of award recipients, located outside the Voinovich Auditorium in the College’s E wing. The college will celebrate both 2020 and 2021 award winners in this celebration, due to COVID forcing last year’s commencement ceremonies to be held virtually.
“The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes excellence beyond Northwest State – education, professional achievement, service to the community and more,” said Robbin Wilcox, NSCC executive director of Development and the NSCC Foundation. “We are proud to recognize these four graduates with this prestigious award, and we congratulate them for their achievements, and for being tremendous representatives of Northwest State Community College.”
Recipients include:
• Ruth Kauffman of Archbold is a 2002 graduate of NSCC with an Associate of Applied Accounting, Finance and Management degree. Kauffman also attained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Franklin University in Columbus. She is vice president, Agri Finance Credit Specialist for Farmers and Merchants State Bank in Archbold, having worked with the bank for nearly 20 years.
• Terika Elston of Montpelier is a 2001 graduate of the NSCC Registered Nursing (RN) program. Elston also attained her Bachelor’s from Bowling Green State University, and her Master’s from Chamberlain College. Elston is the Nursing Manager for In-Patient Rehab for ProMedica in Sylvania, having worked in healthcare for the past 19-plus years.
• Dr. Heidi DeSota of Defiance is a 1998 graduate of the NSCC Registered Nursing (RN) program. DeSota earned her Bachelor’s from Defiance College, her Master’s from the University of Toledo, and her Doctorate from Indiana Wesleyan University. DeSota is the Director of Nursing at Defiance College, and is also an instructor at both NSCC and The University of Toledo.
• Dr. Tiffany Johnston of Fayette is a 2005 graduate of the NSCC Registered Nursing (RN) program. Johnston earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s from the University of Phoenix, and her Doctorate from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. Johnston is the Lead Nursing Director at ProMedica Flower Hospital with 15 years of service within the ProMedica Health System.
The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the most prestigious award presented by the Alumni Association of Northwest State. This award was established in 1998 to honor graduates of NSCC who have achieved recognized prominence in their chosen career and have made significant contributions to their profession, community and the lives of others.
