First Graduating Class of ’64 Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Walsh University honored its 2014 Outstanding Alumni at a special Homecoming luncheon on Sunday, October 19. During the ceremony, the Class of 1964 was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is bestowed on those who have dedicated countless hours to Walsh's students and alumni. Walsh's first graduating class established a legacy that demonstrates the success of Walsh. The University's first 47 graduates went on to distinguish themselves in business, education, medicine and law. They became servant leaders in their communities, volunteering time and talent to make meaningful contributions in their workplaces and their neighborhoods.
In addition, James McPartlin '67, Larry Clark '72 and Virginia Neutzling '83 were honored with the Alumni Outstanding Achievement Awards, which are given each year to recognize outstanding achievement in a chosen field or profession, outstanding service to Walsh University, and or outstanding community service.
Jim McPartlin '67 graduated from Walsh in 1967 and joined the Peace Corps, serving in India, where he educated the local population on irrigation systems. Upon his return to the US, he was drafted and served his country in Vietnam. McPartlin is a 35-year member of the Massachusetts National Guard, retiring as Master Sergeant, the highest position for a non-commissioned officer. He is a lifelong member of the VFW and the American Legion, serving as a commander for both and spending countless volunteer hours organizing parades, charitable events, and social gatherings. McPartlin has also volunteered as a driver for disabled vets. Outside of the military he had a wonderful career as an educator. After receiving a master's degree from U-MASS Lowell, McPartlin began teaching in a community just outside of Boston. Now retired, Jim spends his time with wife Joan in their home in Massachusetts. He is known as a kind neighbor and devoted community volunteer, helping a long list of organizations from Boy Scouts and Knights of Columbus to his local parish and VFW.
Larry Clark '72 graduated from Walsh and went on to earn a master's degree from Alfred University. In 1972 he began teaching Spanish at Wellsville High School in New York. Clark's 34-year career as an educator at Wellsville included leadership roles within the school, the local teachers association, and the district's retirement delegation. He also served as department chair and as a coach of cross country, track, and girls' basketball. He retired from Wellsville in 2006. After his public school teaching career came to a close, he became an English mentor for three Guatemalan students adopted by a local family. In 2008 he began teaching Spanish and English at Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville as well as serving as a substitute teacher throughout the county. Larry has even taught Spanish and English for foreign students at State University of New York-Alfred and translated documents for local firms, law enforcement and nearby hospitals.
He is very involved in his community, serving in his local Kiwanis Club and the Knights of Columbus. He also is on the Board of Directors of the Allegany County SPCA. Larry and his wife Deborah live in Wellsville, New York. Clark has been an ardent supporter of Walsh over the years, attending campus events, consistently and generously contributing to the annual fund, and joining other alumni to help make the Dorothy Ling Rehearsal Hall a reality.
Virginia Neutzling '83 is a graduate of Mercy Professional School of Nursing. She went on to earn her bachelor of science, summa cum laude, from then Walsh College in 1983, and a master's of education degree from Kent State University. Her career has been punctuated by excellence in educating other nurses on their profession and the public on issues important to their health. Virginia was an adjunct faculty member at Stark State College for 17 years and at Kent State University - Stark Campus. She was the Executive Director of the Stark County Health Care Coalition and a Public Health Nurse and Health Educator for the Stark County Health Department.
Her servant leadership does not end at her nursing career. Virginia has been an active community volunteer with a wide range of organizations. Her current service includes: The Austin Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mercy Medical Center, Mercy Professional School of Nursing Alumni Association, and the Wilderness Center.
She has been a member of the board of trustees of the American Cancer Society and the Doctors' Hospital Board of Trustees, the first woman to serve as such. She was also the first woman to chair the Stark County Safety Council and the first woman president of the Advisory Committee for Big Brothers and Big Sisters YMCA Canton. Virginia founded Northeastern Ohio Wellness, served on the Advisory Council for Canton City Schools and Chaired the Curriculum Advisory Committee of the Canton City Schools.
As a member of the Rotary Club of Canton with 19 years of perfect attendance, Virginia served as the first woman president and was an assistant governor in the district. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Benefactor of the Rotary Foundation. Virginia is a recipient of Rotary International's Four Avenues of Service Citation. In 1996, Virginia was inducted into the Stark County Women's Hall of Fame, and in 2009 she was inducted into the Ohio Senior Olympics Hall of Fame, recognizing the critical role she played in helping to develop the Canton Hall of Fame Senior Olympics. Recently, Virginia was instrumental in establishing the Friends of Mercy Care Fund to benefit patients of Mercy Medical Center at St. Paul Square, an innovative primary health care facility in Canton's northeast end. Virginia has three children - Melanie, Kim and Lee - and three grandchildren, and she makes her home in Canton.