Eight Honored During Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023

During Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023, the University of Findlay’s Alumni Association recognized eight alumni and friends who exemplify the values, ethics, and mission of the University.

Those honored include:

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 service to the University.

Leskosky, MOT, OTR/L, RAC-CT, is a 2015 and 2017 graduate of the weekend occupational therapy program. Since graduation, she was promoted to regional vice president of Encore Rehabilitation. She oversees operations of speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, 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.

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Ted M. Haselman ‘17

Ted Haselman, Ed.D., is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

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.

He recently accepted the position of superintendent of Bowling Green City Schools. He previously served as superintendent of Pike-Delta-York local school district and at Perrysburg Schools as a middle school teacher, department chair, and athletic coach.

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.

Distinguished Alumna Award: Joan Smith Edwards ‘69

Joan Smith Edwards is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

A 1969 graduate of Findlay College, 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 Lifelong 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 UF, 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.

Distinguished Alumnus 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.

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.

Distinguished Alumna 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 Mike 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.

Previously, she 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. and served as an assistant city law director for the city of Fostoria.

Bishop 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.

Distinguished Alumna Award: Catherine M. Kisseberth ‘10

Catherine Kisseberth is a 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

She is the president/CEO of Hancock Federal Credit Union (HFCU) in Findlay. She oversees day-to-day 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. 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 Findlay-Hancock County Alliance.

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.

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.

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 community service also includes boards for Honor Flight, Hope House, Habitat for Humanity, Owens Community College, and the Owens Foundation, and a top supporter of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Among his areas of support at the University are the Findlay Fund, Business Affiliates Scholarship Program, Great Lakes Grant Internship Program, Center for Student Life and College of Business Building, and Oiler Athletics.

Gold Medallion Award: Dr. Cheryl Miller ‘71

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.

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 as a business teacher, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in secondary education from the University of Akron.

Upon retirement, she returned to Findlay and left a bequest to UF creating two scholarship endowments: one in business to aid undergraduate and master’s degree students, and one in education for students pursuing a teaching certificate.