The awards were presented during the university’s annual Maroon & Gold Weekend
NORTH CANTON, Ohio: Walsh University’s Alumni Association honored five alumni at its 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards Dinner, recognizing graduates whose leadership, service and professional accomplishments exemplify the university’s mission and values.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered on Sept. 18, at Walsh University’s Barrette Business and Community Center to celebrate these individuals whose lives reflect the university’s values of faith, community and excellence.
The 2026 Award Winners:
Young Alumni Leadership Award
Claire Killian '22, the recipient of the Young Alumni Leadership Award, graduated from Walsh with her master’s degree in occupational therapy, and is devoting her career to working with at-risk youth, endeavoring to help them lead healthy and successful lives. As a student at Walsh, Killian was recognized with both a Leadership Award and Outstanding Service Award. Since graduating she has continued to serve, particularly at GiGi’s Playhouse, a nonprofit Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Canton, Ohio, where she brings her passion for service to participants and their families who are drawn to her warmth, patience and unwavering belief in their abilities.
Killian previously worked in juvenile corrections and now works for Akron Public Schools. Reflecting on what she learned about leadership at Walsh, Killian noted how it all came down to community. “Community isn’t just the place where you belong, it’s the support system that lifts people up and reminds them of their intrinsic worth,” she said. “Leadership is not about standing above others, it’s about standing alongside them, recognizing their dignity and helping them find their way.”
Professional Achievement Award
Marc Ursick '09, received the Professional Achievement Award for a career defined by entrepreneurial leadership and commitment to others. Ursick graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Walsh’s DeVille School of Business, where he double majored in finance and management. He is one of four siblings who all chose Walsh for their education. Ursick went on to earn his master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. At Walsh, he served as Business Club president, and it was a Business Club trip to New York City led to him landing his first job at EY. After a number of years at EY, in 2015 he founded Clearsulting with the goal of offering more collaborative and human-centered consulting work for financial clients. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global consulting organization of more than 350 professionals across eight countries.
With his success, Ursick has remained grounded in the belief that consulting can and should be performed in a culture that values teamwork, accountability and grit. In accepting his award, Ursick said, “Walsh prepared me so much for a lot of my career success that I have had. The years that I had here were unforgettable not only because of the preparation for my future and my career, but I met some lifelong friends here.”
Outstanding Achievement Award
Dana Allender '95, is an entrepreneur, business leader, mentor, coach and community advocate whose career has been shaped by a commitment to helping people and organizations grow. He earned a business degree at Walsh and has remained closely connected with the university, serving on the Alumni Board of Trustees. As the founder of SUN – We Grow You, Allender works with small businesses and startups, while maintaining leadership roles with numerous community growth organizations and partnerships. He brings people, ideas and organizations together to create sustainable growth and positive community impact. Through his involvement with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, and as a youth athletics coach for the YMCA, Allender offers gives his time, guidance and encouragement to young people.
Allender said he was challenged to work hard and learned critical thinking skills at Walsh, but most importantly, Walsh gave him the opportunity to appreciate service. “Ultimately our success is what we do for others,” he said. “Ask for help when you need it and offer help when you can. We need to proactively offer help, because some people won’t ask. Everyone is carrying a burden, I’m certain of that. But I also know they are bearing gifts – bearing gifts that God gave them. And its our job to let them show that to us.”
Distinguished Service Award
Pedro Chavez '11, is Director of Mission and Ministry for the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where he works to ensure the ethical and religious directives for Catholic health care are lived out through compassionate care, faith formation and community outreach. Chavez, earned his master’s degree in education from Walsh University. Before joining the Cleveland Clinic, he served as director of Liturgical Services at Walsh for more than 15 years and as director of campus ministry at Canton Central Catholic High School, where he helped students integrate faith and service into their everyday lives. An accomplished musician and a host on Living Bread Radio, he is a frequent presenter at local and national events on the topics of faith, music and mission. A tireless community volunteer, Chavez serves numerous nonprofit organizations and health-related organizations, reflecting his dedication to service, faith and helping others flourish. He has served as master of ceremonies for the Cavalier Soiree for the past two years.
Chavez said that Walsh University taught him that faith has to become action and helped him to become the person he is today. “Service is how we choose to see one another,” he said. “In service, we receive far more than we give.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
For five decades since graduating from what was then Walsh College, Patricia Cantwell Jeffcott '76, has exemplified what it means to be a lifelong member of the Walsh family. Her life reflects the mission of Walsh’s founders, the Brothers of Christian Instruction and the Catholic values that define Walsh University: leading through service, building community and recognizing the dignity of every person. She has served multiple terms and has held various offices on the Alumni Board since she was first appointed in 1985, and has remained one of the university’s most influential ambassadors. Through tireless fundraising efforts, advocacy and an unmatched ability to reconnect alumni across generations, she has inspired countless others to stay engaged with Walsh, and continually champions the mission of Walsh.
Jeffcott reflected on what Walsh has meant to her throughout her life. A native of New York state, Jeffcott met her late husband Gary at Walsh, and following graduation and marriage, they remained in North Canton where they raised their two children. Jeffcott is a co-founder of Matthew 8:20 Food and Clothing Ministry at Little Flower Catholic Parish in Canton. She noted how in 2011, a Walsh student spoke of his desire to serve the homeless, and she connected him with Matthew 8:20. That relationship has continued for the last 15 years, with Walsh students becoming a reliable stream of volunteers for the ministry. The relationship expanded in 2022, when Matthew 8:20 partnered with a Walsh social justice class, further committing Walsh students to the ministry.
“I thank Walsh for not only giving me a great education, but for giving me the best friends anyone could ever ask for,” Jeffcott said.
