The University’s Homecoming 2009 is Oct. 2-4.

Community members are welcome to attend the weekend kick-off performance by Recycled Percussion (as seen on America’s Got Talent) at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in the parking lot of the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Center. There is no cost to attend.

Alumni are invited back to campus for a variety of other events, as well. Visit the Web site of the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations for details.

The University will honor Distinguished Alumni David M. Danhoff ’77, Dr. Larry G. McDougle ’63, Jeanne M. Rustic ’87 and Raeburn ’56 and Marcelene (Owens ’59) Wallen, during Homecoming weekend.

Other honorees include Stacy L. Westfall ’97 – Old Main Award for young alumni under the age of 36; Coach Dick Strahm – Arch Award for faculty or staff members who are not alumni but have served the institution with distinction for more than 25 years; and the late Mark Stanley Greene ’70 – Gold Medallion Award for alumni who deserve recognition but are now deceased.

David Danhoff ’77

David Danhoff ’77 taught in Fostoria and Sandusky, Ohio, schools before becoming a principal for Northmor Local Schools in Galion, Ohio. He advanced to assistant and then superintendent of Mohawk Local Schools before becoming superintendent of Clyde-Green Springs Exempted Village Schools and then retiring after six years as superintendent for Vanguard-Sentinel Career Schools in 2008. He took a position as director for Clydescope Economic Development Corporation to help build up the area’s economic base before returning to educational administration as superintendent of Willard City Schools.

Dr. Larry McDougle ’63

Dr. Larry McDougle ’63 earned a master of arts degree in physics and went on to teach at Findlay College from 1966-71 while earning a doctorate in higher education administration from The University of Toledo. He was a faculty member and administrator at five public colleges in Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and Florida. He was dean for instruction for ComTech at the University of Toledo before taking the presidency at Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio, from which he retired in 2003. He is now a part-time faculty member with the University of Toledo, teaching in higher education administration. Among many honors for his work, he was awarded an honorary doctor of educational leadership by The University of Findlay in 1998.  

Jeanne Rustic ’87

Jeanne Rustic ’87 worked on the staff of the Findlay YMCA for more than 18 years, earning program director of the year honors in 1990. She also served more than 13 years at United Way of Hancock County, earning a Staff Excellence Award for Ohio in 2004. Jeanne has been extensively involved in community service, holding numerous positions with more than 25 organizations and initiatives, among which are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Findlay Youth Orchestra Board, Cancer Patient Services Board, St. Michael’s Church, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Training Seminars, UF Oilers Club Advisory Board and UF Curtain Raisers Society.

Dr. Raeburn ’56 and Marcelene ’59 Wallen

Dr. Raeburn ’56 and Marcelene (Owens ’59) Wallen were active on campus during Raeburn’s career as the first alumni director for Findlay College and then as religion professor from 1962 until 1999. As alumni director, he instituted the first Distinguished Alumni award and began a magazine sent to alumni. Marcie taught for 30 years, 23 years in Findlay, before retiring in 1990. The couple traveled across the country to organize alumni clubs and conducted many trips abroad with students. They also mentored international students and often hosted them in their home. Raeburn helped organize the annual International Night for 31 years. He was awarded an honorary doctor of world religions degree in 1995.

Coach Richard “Dick” Strahm

Coach Richard “Dick” Strahm is the recipient of the Arch Award, recognizing outstanding service by a non-alumni staff member of The University of Findlay. Arriving at Findlay College in 1975, he led UF’s football teams to four National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championships in 1979, 1992, 1995 and 1997. During his 24-year career at Findlay, he had a 183-64-5 record. He was inducted in 2004 into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., college football’s highest honor. He continues to serve as a development officer at the University.

Stacy Westfall ’97

Stacy (Glidden) Westfall ’97 made history when in 2006 she became the first woman to compete in the Road to the Horse colt-breaking competition in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She won against experienced clinicians, wowing judges and the audience by riding bareback and without a bridle, and then cantering her horse around the pen while standing on its back! Stacy and her husband, Jesse, run Westfall Horsemanship training facility in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. She loves to teach and is in great demand as a clinician across the country. Her exceptional accomplishments as a trainer and competitor have earned her a national reputation in the reining horse industry.

Mark Stanley Greene ’70

The late Mark Stanley Greene ’70 is the recipient of the Gold Medallion, awarded to alumni of distinction posthumously. He and his wife, Linda, served with Impact with God Crusades Inc., or IMPACT, a non-denominational Christian organization, and International Services of Hope (ISOH). He facilitated shipment and distribution of more than 500 containers of relief aid throughout 130 nations and arranged flights to the U.S. for children in need of life-saving medical treatment. He also aided medical and missions teams to reach victims of poverty and disaster around the world. He passed away March 27, 2007.