OHIO Chillicothe Welcomes Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations

Article Presented By Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau…

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (Feb. 2, 2026) – Ohio University Chillicothe is seeking nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented to Ohio University Chillicothe alumni who are making a significant impact as leaders in their community.

The Ohio University Chillicothe Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have made an impact on the campus and in the community. Recipients may exemplify excellence through service to the University, philanthropic support, recognition in their professional field or service to the greater Ross County community.

Nominations are open through March 9 and may be submitted by faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

Last year’s awardees were Susan Congrove, a lifelong educator, and Joshua Walter, regional manager for DTB Distributors, a janitorial distributor with three locations.

Congrove graduated from Ohio University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She also earned a Master in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in 2000 and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton in 2008. Congrove retired in June 2024 from Zane Trace Local Schools, where she served as a teacher, curriculum director and elementary principal throughout her 30-year career. She is now an adjunct instructor at Ohio University Chillicothe.

Walter graduated from Ohio University Chillicothe in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. He is heavily involved in his community, especially with EPIC (Empowering Young Professionals in Chillicothe), serving as an ambassador for the organization which promotes a community that attracts and retains young professionals in Chillicothe and Ross County. 

The Campus Relations Committee will select an award recipient who will be recognized at Ohio University Chillicothe’s Spring Graduation Recognition Ceremony on April 30, 2026.