Nominate a deserving recipient for our Alumni Awards
Each year during Homecoming Weekend the University of Findlay Alumni Association recognizes our distinguished and honorary alumni through an Alumni Awards Celebration.
2023 Alumni Award Recipients
Old Main Award - Valerie K. Leskosky ’15 ‘17
Valerie Leskosky is the 2023 recipient of the Old Main Award for outstanding achievement before the age of 36, demonstrating distinctive accomplishments in her chosen career, civic involvement and/or service to the University.
Leskosky MOT, OTR/L, RAC-CT, is a 2015 and 2017 graduate of the University of Findlay’s weekend Occupational Therapy program. Since graduation, she was promoted to a regional vice president role for Encore Rehabilitation.
She oversees operations of speech language pathology, occupational and physical therapy departments providing services in skilled nursing facilities, and for home health agencies in Ohio and Massachusetts. As the chairperson for the skilled nursing facility policy and procedure committee at Encore Rehab, she facilitates policy changes to promote safe service delivery in an ever-changing and heavily regulated industry. A certified Resident Assessment Coordinator, Leskosky provides an enhanced level of knowledge and expertise to customers and employees for positively impacting Quality Measures and 5 Star reporting. She actively participates in advocacy efforts, meeting with constituents and state representatives to educate and impact changes for the therapy industry.
The skills and knowledge gained at the University of Findlay, along with her passion for serving the geriatric community, facilitated her growth clinically and operationally allowing her to lead others in the therapy profession.
University of Findlay recognizes Valerie Leskosky for her productive career in occupational therapy, caring for patients, and ensuring high-quality therapy treatment. The Alumni Association is proud to name her as the 2023 recipient of the Old Main Award.
Arch Award - Chuck Bills
Chuck Bills is the recipient of the 2023 Arch Award, an honor presented to a member of the University of Findlay community who does not hold a degree from the institution, but by personal example, has demonstrated loyalty and support of UF.
Bills has generously provided 22 years of service to the University through many contributions to campus and the community. As a member of the University Board of Trustees, he offers exceptional direction and leadership to campus administrators. He shares his expertise as a valued member of the “Together We Will” campaign executive committee and the campaign task force committee. In addition, Bills is a former member of the College of Business advisory board and the Business & Industry Blitz Committee and was a featured speaker for the Business Affiliates awards program.
The Indiana native, who attended Indiana University Bloomington, has built one of the leading businesses in the Hancock County region. The president/CEO of Findlay’s Tall Timbers Distribution Center/Ohio Logistics grew the operations from a single warehouse in 1988 into 25 locations in seven states with more than 400 employees today. Every year, he welcomes UF students in the Dana Scholars program of the College of Business to visit Ohio Logistics, during which he shares his knowledge of supply chain issues and executive leadership practices.
A mainstay of the Findlay community, his strong belief in giving back is evident through programs that benefit military veterans and people who are less fortunate. He is a Findlay Rotary Club member, Port Authority member, past chair of the Findlay/Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and served on the chamber economic development board.
His wide-ranging community service also includes boards for Honor Flight, Hope House, Habitat for Humanity, Owens Community College, and the Owens Foundation, and he is a top supporter of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. Bills’ contributions have made a significant impact on UF students and vital campus operations. Among his areas of support are the Findlay Fund, Business Affiliates Scholarship Program, Women’s Philanthropy Initiative, Great Lakes Grant Internship Program, Center for Student Life and College of Business Building, and Oiler Athletics.
University of Findlay recognizes Chuck Bills for his long-term commitment of service, grounded in his personal values and strong work ethic. The Alumni Association is proud to name him as the 2023 recipient of the Arch Award.
Gold Medallion Award - Cheryl Miller, Ph.D., ‘71
Dr. Cheryl Miller, Ph.D., ’71, is the recipient of the Gold Medallion Award, an honor posthumously bestowed upon alumni with superb records of distinguished career accomplishments and outstanding contributions to their
profession, to the University and/or their community, but who had not been appropriately recognized by the University prior to their death.
In many ways, Miller was an investor – with her career dedicated to children, through volunteering in her beloved Findlay community, and finally with a bequest to future University of Findlay students.
Miller, who passed away in January 2022, was born and raised in Findlay, graduating from Findlay College in 1971 with the goal of becoming a teacher. After receiving a master’s degree at Bowling Green State University,
she was hired at Nordonia City Schools in the Akron area, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in secondary education from the University of Akron.
She loved her students and loved teaching, and upon retirement, wanted to return to Findlay.
Miller had lost her father in 1959 when she was 9 years old and was very thankful that the community of Findlay helped her family. In retirement, Miller’s primary hobby was gardening, and she became a Master Gardener. She
also enjoyed bowling, golfing, and volunteering.
A long career as an educator had provided her with a sizable retirement pension that she decided to donate to the University and invest in future generations of students as they begin their futures.
From the bequest of Miller, who was a business teacher, the University of Findlay has created two scholarship endowments: one in business to aid undergraduate and master’s degree students, and one in education for students pursuing a teaching certificate.
University of Findlay recognizes Dr. Cheryl Miller for her dedication to philanthropy, students, and community, and the Alumni Association is pleased to announce her as the 2023 Gold Medallion Award recipient.
Distinguished Alumni Award
William E. Rumbold ‘74
William Rumbold is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
He received his bachelor’s degree in speech from Findlay College in 1974 and has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. With positions in marketing, training, and sales, Rumbold has been responsible for the successful launch of several billion-dollar pharmaceutical products.
A multiple award-winning, innovative professional, he has been successful in highly competitive environments and contributed to corporate profitability and growth. He also has extensive experience in medical professional
and executive level consulting with major healthcare organizations. He currently is the vice president of strategy and corporate development at Medicasafe, a medical device company in New York.
He earned a master of arts in business communications from Bowling Green State University. Rumbold is an active volunteer with the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, mentoring small business leaders.
While a student at Findlay College, he was a general manager of WLFC, the campus radio station, and played a strong role in putting WLFC on the air 50 years ago. He currently serves on the UF Communication Advisory
Board and is a member of the Alumni Board of Governors.
Rumbold has generously donated to the William Rumbold WLFC/Findlay Media Network Scholarship Endowment and the Findlay Fund. He also is a member of the C.T. Fox Society, which honors donors who have made planned gift commitments.
University of Findlay recognizes William Rumbold for his exceptional business career and dedication to broadcasting communications. The Alumni Association is proud to name him a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Catherine M. Kisseberth ‘10
Catherine Kisseberth is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Kisseberth is the president /CEO of Hancock Federal Credit Union (HFCU) in Findlay. She oversees day-today and long-term strategic operations of the $100 million asset financial institution. HFCU is a mission-driven organization focused on supporting credit union members, employees, and the community.
After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Findlay in 2010 with a bachelor of science in accounting, she joined Hancock Federal Credit Union as director of accounting, where she also interned during her time as an Oiler. She went on to receive a master of accountancy degree from Bowling Green State University in 2011 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 2012.
She gained additional experience with a local manufacturing company and returned to HFCU in 2015 as the chief financial officer. She was named CEO in 2021.
Kisseberth has served as a mentor for the UF College of Business Future Leaders Initiative and has supported the Business Affiliates Scholarship. She currently serves on the board of directors for Hope House for the Homeless, Hancock Historical Museum, Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and the FindlayHancock County Alliance.
She is also involved in the Ohio Credit Union League Advocacy Action Committee, Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance, Kiwanis Club of Findlay, and the Heart and Soul project for the village of Arlington. Previously she served as the president of Findlay Young Professionals. She is a 2014 graduate of the Hancock Leadership program. She and her husband Brandon Kisseberth have one daughter.
University of Findlay recognizes Catherine Kisseberth for her strategic financial and business success, along with her commitment to community service. The Alumni Association is proud to name her a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Joan Smith Edwards ‘69
Joan Smith Edwards is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
A 1969 graduate of Findlay College, her full-time career was dedicated to teaching children. In retirement, she has become a “super volunteer” benefiting many people, ranging from residents of Florida to current University of Findlay students.
She went on to earn a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and taught in the Indian River County school system in Vero Beach, Florida, for 30 years, where she organized the county-wide gifted program. She continues to educate others as an instructor in the Life Long Learning program at Indian River State College and as a docent at the Vero Beach Museum of Art where she earned a pin for 1,000 hours of volunteering.
Edwards was a member of the Treasure Coast Pilot Club, a non-profit service organization, for nearly two decades. She was honored twice with the club’s President’s Cup for her successful fundraising efforts and was named “Woman of the Year” by Treasure Coast Women. Her extensive service at the Environmental Learning Center of Vero Beach is highly regarded by the staff and visitors to the 64-acre lagoon-island nature center.
Edwards’ wide-ranging community service activities also include the Cultural Council Board, Citizens Advisory Committee of Vero Beach, and the United Way. She was honored by the Florida Retired Educators Association with a Volunteer of the Year award.
At the University of Findlay, Edwards has generously donated to expand campus facilities and provide experiential learning opportunities for students. She also is a member of the C.T. Fox Society, which honors donors who have made planned gift commitments.
University of Findlay recognizes Joan Smith Edwards for her hard work, dedication to education, and concern for future generations. The Alumni Association is proud to name her a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Stephanie M. Bishop ‘00
Judge Stephanie M. Bishop is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
She received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Findlay in 2000 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 2003.
Bishop was appointed by Ohio Governor DeWine to serve as the Findlay Municipal Court judge in 2021. She was elected by voters in November 2021 to serve the remainder of the term. Fair, logical, and
straightforward, Judge Bishop is passionate about helping individuals exercise their rights under the law. Prior to being appointed, Bishop was an assistant city law director for the City of Findlay for 10 years and a partner in the law firm of Hackenberg, Feighner, Bishop & Werth, LLC. She previously served as an assistant city law director for the City of Fostoria, a partner of Wykes Law Offices, Ltd. and an associate at Crow Law Offices, Ltd.
Judge Bishop was born and raised in Arlington, Ohio and graduated from Arlington High School. She has three children and five grandchildren. She currently serves on the board of United Way of Hancock County and previously served on the board for Crime Stoppers of Findlay-Hancock County, the Arlington Athletic Boosters, and the Arlington School Foundation.
University of Findlay recognizes Judge Stephanie Bishop for her dedication to leadership and ethics in the legal field. The Alumni Association is proud to name her a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ted M. Haselman ‘17
Dr. Ted Haselman, Ed.D., is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Haselman recently accepted the position of superintendent of Bowling Green City Schools. He completed his principal license in 2010, superintendent license in 2013, and Ed.D. degree in 2017 from the University of
Findlay. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in business education and a master of education in the art of teaching from Marygrove College in Michigan.
Most recently serving as superintendent of Pike-Delta-York local school district, he led his administrative team to design and implement a new two-year kindergarten program to better serve academically deficient students to provide the foundation needed for a successful school career. He also facilitated increased student opportunities and enhanced student experiences through the creation of a Land Lab and cooperative educational opportunities with local businesses and industries.
Haselman has served on the UF College of Education Advisory Council for many years, providing feedback for the principal, superintendent, and Ed.D. programs. He was selected to be the first chair of the COE Dean’s Advisory Board and has served in that role since 2016. In fall 2016, he was named the COE’s Visiting Educator and frequently spoke to undergraduate classes. Since 2020, he has served as an adjunct professor in the educational administration program.
Haselman previously worked at Perrysburg Schools as a middle school teacher, department chair, and athletic coach. He serves on boards for the Fulton County Job and Family Services, Northwest Ohio Computer Association, and Northern Buckeye Health Plan. He has received the Ohio School Board Association Excellence Award for Outstanding Leadership, Ohio Department of Education District Momentum Award, Battelle for Kids Top 2% of all School Buildings - State of Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Education High Progress School of Honor Award.
University of Findlay recognizes Dr. Ted Haselman for his dedication and leadership in the field of education, along with his commitment to teaching and mentoring future generations of students and teachers. The Alumni Association is proud to name him a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award