Outstanding Seniors Ready for Commencement

The University of Findlay has several outstanding students who will soon be graduating. Four received special awards, handed out during the 2017 Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity, for academic and service-oriented learning.
Below are summaries of some of their accomplishments, and some insight from them regarding their academic experiences at UF.

Katie Ahrns and Forest Miller accepted their Founders Son and Daughter awards from Dave Emsweller, vice president for Student Affairs.

Founders Son and Daughter Awards:
This honor is annually conferred upon two students who most exemplify the ideals of the founding fathers. Those ideals include high achievement in scholarship, leadership, service to others, and demonstrated personal integrity in and out of the classroom.
Katie Ahrns – Ahrns will be completing her four-year animal science degree in three years. During her time at UF, she has been a core leader for Oilers Serving Abroad, leading three of the four trips she has made to the Dominican Republic. She has been a Resident Assistant and a student employee at the Buford Center for Diversity and Service for the past two years. Some of her memberships have included the Newman Club and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. The recipient of the Undergraduate Award for Outstanding Service to the Community has also volunteered for Hancock County Humane Society and Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. Ahrns will be going to Japan this summer as part of the Kake cultural exchange program.
Ahrns said her biggest academic challenge was targeting which course of study to pursue. Indecision abounded, causing her to “question everything.” Faculty and staff helped her answer probing questions and guided her in the right direction, she said.
“I do not regret any of the decisions I’ve made during my time at UF because I am a better version of myself through endless learning experiences,” she said. “I gained an education that is more valuable than many things we can buy.”
Ahrns said she will most miss the UF community, but is looking forward to fulfilling her dream of traveling and serving abroad. In 2018 she will be serving through NET Ministries for one year in Australia, where she’ll be a missionary working with youth.
Forrest Miller – The president of Student Government Association has served as a Resident Assistant and Resident Director, an office assistant in Student Affairs, a student representative on the Student Affairs and Business Affairs Board of Trustees committees, a member of the LGBT Program Initiatives Advisory Committee, and many more organizations. Miller has also been instrumental in designing and implementing several campus educational, community service and social events, including the fall 2016 Jason Derulo concert.
“I firmly believe one of the most important characteristics of the undergraduate learning experience is the ability to get highly involved and engaged in the campus and local community,” said Miller. He chose UF because of the myriad opportunities it offers. His biggest challenge has been finding a balance that allows him to maximize those experiences without becoming overwhelmed, he explained, but noted that means there also will be a lot for him to miss when he leaves.
Miller said he has valued the personal attention and consideration that have been paid to him and other students, even at the highest University levels.
“When given the opportunity to serve as a representative on a variety of Board of Trustees committees, I was amazed by seriousness with which they took my comments on behalf of the student body and how they quickly took action to address any suggestions I made,” said Miller.
“As a graduate, I will miss getting to be a small part of what makes up the amazing campus community that UF has established,” he said.
This fall, Miller will be attending the University of Toledo College of Law on a full-tuition scholarship.
“While it was not my original plan (I was going to apply to the Physician Assistant program), the experiences UF provide me led me to realize my true passion in the field of law,” said Miller.

UF Athletic Director Brandi Laurita, center, presented Shelby Warner and Anthony Federiko with Mancuso awards during the 2017 Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity held in April.

Mancuso Awards:
This honor is named after distinguished Oiler wrestler Eddie Mancuso. Those who receive this award exemplify what it means to be an Oiler student athlete, and show what the true meaning of excelling in the classroom and in competition means.
Anthony Federico – As a senior football player majoring in pharmacy, Federico holds a 3.55 GPA. Some of his athletic honors and awards include two-time honorable mention GLIAC team and three-time GLIAC academic excellence team. He is a student ambassador for the College of Pharmacy admissions tours and has interned at CVS pharmacy and Louis Stoke VA Medical Center. Federico is active in Engage College Ministry Group, Special Olympics and Findlay’s Backyard Mission Trip. This fall, he will pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UF.
“Discovering the correct way to be successful on the football field, in the classroom and in the community has been the biggest struggle of mine,” said Federico. “I overcame this by learning how to be organized and how to properly time manage. Learning how to take advantage of every day has been my main goal.”
“The students at UF are proud to be Oilers and it is evident by their campus involvement and drive to become the best students they can be. The faculty and coaches at UF are so personable and approachable and this is a significant reason why my time at UF has been so monumental,” he maintained.
Federico said he intends to keep his academic options open while pursuing his advanced pharmacy degree. Pharmacy will continue to be his focus, but which type of track he’ll concentrate on has yet to be determined.
Shelby Warner – A senior women’s golfer, Warner holds a 3.81 GPA in accounting and a 3.96 GPA in her MBA pursuits; by commencement, she will have earned her undergraduate degree in three years and her MBA in one year. Some of her honors and awards include being selected 2016 College of Business Outstanding Student, Academic All-American, and tournament medalist in the Division I Dayton University Fall Invitational. She is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, fellowship of Christian athletes, participates in the Institution of Managerial Accountants, and was treasurer of UF’s Accounting Club.
“My biggest challenge as a UF student was learning how to balance a heavy class schedule with a full-time sport,” Warner admitted. But pushing through the hard times, particularly finals, enabled her to develop resiliency, she said.
Warner said she will miss “the people” the most after graduating. “I have met lifelong friends at UF, and I will miss being surrounded by the people who filled my days with happiness and friendship,” she explained.
Warner will soon begin a full-time accounting position at Marathon Petroleum Corporation. “Within a year or two, I hope to transfer to one of Marathon’s other locations to gain as much experience and learn as much about the company as possible,” she said.