Walsh University honored its 2015 Outstanding Alumni during the annual Awards Luncheon on Sunday, October 25. The ceremony included the presentation of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, Distinguished Service Awards and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes alumni for their significant professional achievements or exemplary community service and their loyalty and commitment to Walsh. The 2015 recipients included: John "Jack" Dowling ’69, David H. Maynard ’86 and Gloria P. Talarico ’86.
In addition, Donald L. and Paulette L. Caster, both from the class of 1972, were honored with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their exemplary service to the Alumni Association.
Long-time Walsh faculty members Dr. Cynthia Wise Staudt and Daniel S. Suvak were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards which are bestowed on those who have dedicated countless hours to Walsh's students and alumni.
John "Jack" Dowling graduated from Walsh in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. After earning an MBA from Rutgers University, Dowling began his career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at Haskins & Sells, now known as Deloitte & Touche.
In 1997 he retired from his position as Vice President for Corporate Development for United Pacific Corporation. Throughout a demanding professional career, Dowling always put value on community service. He has served on the Board of Directors for Saucon Valley School District, Muhlenberg College, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Walsh University where he serves on the Finance, Investment, and Building and Grounds committees.
Dowling and his wife, Marie, have been long-time supports of Walsh in many ways, including creating the John & Marie Dowling Endowed Scholarship, which helps students achieve their academic dreams at Walsh.
David H. Maynard left Walsh University in 1986 as a magna cum laude graduate earning a Bachelor of Arts after completing accounting, finance, and management majors. Maynard started his career in internal auditing at KMPG, one of the nation’s top accounting firms, while he earned his CPA. Then, in 1991, he started at OMNOVA Solutions where he has held many roles prior to his current position as President of OMNOVA’s Engineered Surfaces segment.
Maynard has been recognized by OMNOVA for his leadership abilities. He earned its Circle of Excellence Award, the company’s top recognition for sales, twice and was awarded the Chairman’s Award, OMNOVA’s highest leadership recognition.
These exceptional career achievements are in addition to Maynard’s service to the community. He volunteers as a Financial Counselor for The Chapel’s Benevolence Ministry. Maynard serves his alma mater through participation in the annual Professor for a Day and on the DeVille School of Business advisory board.
Gloria P. Talarico received her associate’s degree in 1986 from then Walsh College. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Malone University and accomplished a 31-year career at the Canton School Employees Credit Union where she moved from teller to manager. After retirement, Talarico began teaching banking, finance, science and math at Stark State College.
Even after two successful careers, Talarico keeps busy with volunteer work. She tutors in math and science for Ohio Graduation Test preparation, teaches "Wit & Wisdom" at the Canton Christian Home, does publicity for Sancta Clara Monastery, raises money to help meet the needs of the speech and hearing impaired, and serves on several scholarship committees, including one at Walsh University.
Talarico has received numerous recognitions for service throughout the years, including being inducted into the YWCA Stark County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
Donald L. and Paulette L. Caster graduated from Walsh University in 1972, married, and began careers in education. Don taught at Canton City Schools from 1972-1978 while coaching football and track, and serving as Athletic Director for Crenshaw Junior High School. Meanwhile, Paulette taught from 1972 - 1976 at Central Catholic High School and coached girls’ varsity basketball.
In 1978, Don and Paulette left their teaching jobs and opened the health food store. Raisin Rack has grown to two Ohio locations - Canton and Westerville - with great success. The business has been featured in Inc Magazine’s 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and has won top sales awards from Sunrider International.
Even with a business to run, the Casters still find time to volunteer. Paulette has been a tutor at the Columbus School for the Blind, volunteered with the Columbus Arthritis Foundation, and tutored disadvantaged adults in English as a second language. Don has served on the Walsh University Board of Directors for 11 years, and has been an ambassador for his alma mater everywhere he goes. The couple has also established an endowed scholarship fund at Walsh to help students who have financial need attain their educational dreams.
Dr. Cynthia Wise Staudt earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 1970 from Wittenberg, received her master’s in English in 1971 from Indiana University, and taught at Plain Local Schools before joining the faculty of Walsh University’s English Department.
Over the last 37 years, Dr. Staudt has held many roles. She has been an advisor to the Walsh yearbook and newspaper, revised the English curriculum, and created training programs for faculty to better employ writing assignments in their teaching. From 1993 to 2013, Dr. Staudt was Chair of the Division of Languages and Letters before moving to her current position as Dean of Academic Services.
While a full-time faculty member on campus, Cindy earned her doctorate in higher education administration from The University of Akron. Her dissertation topic focused on the history of Walsh with The Brothers of Christian Instruction at Walsh College: Catholic College Builders in a Non-Sectarian Era.
Despite a demanding workload, she finds time for community service and is an active volunteer of the Historic Ridgewood Association, United Way, Indigo Ink Press board of directors, and the Canton Women’s Club, among others.
Daniel S. Suvak worked as the library director for the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Director of Special Services at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, and director of the Mideastern Ohio Library System before coming to Walsh University in 1982.
Suvak’s 33 years as Director of the Library included responsibilities such as overseeing the physical expansion of the library, assisting in the University’s re-accreditation, and coordinating the strategic planning process - along with leadership for numerous initiatives and projects. In 2015, Suvak was named the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, helping the University track its impact on students.
In addition to service to Walsh, Suvak has volunteered his time to institutions such as Ohio Private Academic Libraries, Library Services to Prisoners Section of the American Library Association, and Area Agency on Aging - for which he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.