Walsh University hosted its inaugural Black Alumni Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, February 25, in honor of Black History Month. Organized by Dr. Terry Echols, Director of Multicultural Affairs, more than 70 students, faculty, alumni and community members were in attendance at this special dinner organized as one of several Walsh events in honor of Black History Month. The keynote address was delivered by Pastor Walter Moss, Project Manager for Community Initiative to Reduce Violence and recipient of the Walsh University Founders’ Award at the Spring 2015 Commencement Ceremony.
In addition, eight alumni were honored with a special appreciation plaque:
- Pleas Chambers III, DBA ’99 & '01
- Donald Patterson '03
- Tiffany Kinnard-Payton ’06 & ’08
- Marcellus Stroud '99
- Katherine Baylock '08
- Nate Cooks ’88 & '98
- Dr. Corry Appline '94
- Geraldine Wilson '11
Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III earned a Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing (social media advertising) from Argosy University along with his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Management from Walsh University. He has held the following positions: President of AMP's Specialized Marketing Group, LLC; Executive Director for the Children Achieving Through Community Help foundation; Academic Department Director for Brown Mackie College; Board Member at Goodwill Industries of Akron; and High School Regional Judge for Business Professionals of America. He is a member of the Northeast Ohio Business Leaders, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and Sigma Beta Delta.
Donald Patterson graduated from Walsh with his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12. During his tenure at Walsh, Patterson was a member of the first Walsh University football team and started the first game as quarterback and team captain. Patterson was the first Walsh football play to play professional football, playing one season in the German Football League in 2002. He was also a head coach for club/high school team in Germany. He served as a coach for seven years with the Canton City School District including positions as assistant football coach, assistant softball coach, and head varsity wrestling coach for Canton McKinley High School. He also served as a Middle School Physical Education Teacher for Canton City Schools. Patterson is the Assistant Program Director for the Canton Parks & Recreation Department. He is proud to serve as a mentor and helps current football players with employment.
Tiffany Kinnard-Payton received her Walsh Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology in 2006, and her Walsh Master’s degree in Counseling & Human Development in 2008. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Creighton University. She has previously served in various roles at Walsh including Multicultural Affairs, Academic Support, and has been working in Residence Life since 2008. She is currently the Chief Housing Officer/Director of Residence Life. Within the community Tiffany has served Canton City School District as a facilitator of the DIVAgirls mentoring group (2006-2012), is the praise and worship leader at Emmanuel Tabernacle Family worship center, and has recently started a non-profit for young girls.
Marcellus Stroud was a four year letterman for the Walsh University Men’s Basketball and was a member of the 1993 NAIA National Championship team and 1996 NAIA Final Four basketball teams. He earned All-Conference honors as Member of the Walsh University Men’s Basketball team. After leaving Walsh, he went on to play two seasons of Professional International Basketball before returning to Walsh in 1999 to receive his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Marketing. In 2000, Stroud took a leadership position with FedEx in Akron, OH, where he led employees in many areas of operations within the company. He also served as an Auditor with FedEx in Harrison, AR, and as a FedEx Account Executive in Austin, TX. He returned to Ohio in 2013 as a Logistics Account Manager and then Sales Manager for FedEx. He earned several awards from FedEx for Sales & Leadership including the Ambassador’s Club Award, Life Saver Award, All-Star Award and Project Leverage Award. He was also a Member of the FedEx Diversity Council and received the Diversity Council Leadership Award. Stroud is currently earning his MBA from Walsh University.
Katherine l. Baylock graduated from Walsh in 2008 with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication with a minor in Sociology. She is the Founder and Executive Director of a non-profit inner-city organization in Canton, Ohio, called WATOES, which provides services to seniors, single mothers/fathers and their children. The Organization has been in existence since the early 1980s, with a committed focus on providing services for families. WATOES mission is to empower people through community service, family structure and to help build health self-esteem.
Jonathan (Nate) Cooks earned his Bachelor Degree in Business Management, and a Master Degree for Counseling and Human Development both from Walsh University. Cooks was a member of the 1983 Bob Huggins basketball team that qualified for the National Tournament in Kansas City Missouri. He served Walsh as an Assistant Director of Admissions for six years, and the Director of Multi-Cultural Affairs. He also served as the Executive Director of the Southeast Community Center and the Youth Director for the City of Canton for six years, along with various management positions in the private and social services sectors. For the past nine years, Cooks has been an Admissions Counselor at Stark State College. He is a current Board member at Aultman Hospital and the Aultman Foundation as well as a Stark County School Counselor Association member and Past President. His previous community service also included Past President for the Eastern Ohio Basketball Officials Association and former member of the Board of Directors at Walsh University and Aultman College. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for The Canton Negro Old-timers Athletic Association, The Stark County N.A.A.C.P and the Canton Amateur Athletic Hall of Fame Association.
Dr. Corry Appline graduated from Walsh University in 1994 with a degree in Biology. He also lettered in Men’s Basketball and is the all-time leading scorer and Walsh’s first, 1st Team All American. After graduation, he played professional basketball overseas in Italy. He obtained a Masters’ degree in education from Kent State University. He practiced counseling for a number of years and is an independent contractor. Most recently, Dr. Appline decided to go back to school and obtain his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He is currently awaiting a residency program.
Geraldine Lynn Wilson graduated from Walsh University in December 2011 earning a Bachelor of Science in Education Early Childhood- Intervention Specialist. Born and raised in Massillon, Ohio, she served as a Special Education Aide for 13 years with the Massillon City School District, before completing her education degree. Lynn is currently teaching for the at Gibbs Leadership School with the Canton City School District as a Title l Reading Teacher for 4th and 5th grade.