Please join us in congratulating the latest Alumni Award recipients. Awards were presented at the Alumni Awards Gala on Friday, October 14.

• Alumnus/a of the Year
• Medal of Merit
• Distinguished Service
• Honorary Alumnus/a
• The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame

Alumnus/a of the Year

Andrew N. Alexander, BSJ '72 Alumnus of the Year

From editor of the Ohio University Post to Ombudsman for The Washington Post, Alexander’s journalism career spans over 40 years and 50 countries, earning him numerous accolades. Since graduation Alexander has been active within the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, where he currently serves as Visiting Professor. Alexander has helped with the creation of an online internship database for Scripps College students and has funded a scholarship to support minority students. Currently, Alexander is heading an alumni task force to overhaul the WOUB Center for Public Media. Additionally, he continues to mentor Post staff, act as Guest Lecturer and serve on panels and committees. Alexander and his wife, Beverly, divide their time between Washington D.C. and Virginia.

Medal of Merit

Carla E. Lucchino, MSIS '82 Medal of Merit

Carla Lucchino is the Assistant for Administration to the Secretary of the Navy, and the highest-ranking career civilian in the Department of the Navy. Lucchino has held a multitude of positions during her 29-year career in the Defense Department, earning her a host of awards Lucchino has remained an active alumna as a member of the Russ College Board of Visitors and as speaker for the Robe Leadership Institute. Additionally, Lucchino volunteers her time with students to aid them in the search for career opportunities in government service. Lucchino is a native New Yorker, originally from the Bronx, and currently lives in Virginia.

Everett Louis Overstreet, BSCE '67 Medal of Merit

Louis “Louie” Overstreet is currently Transition CEO for Ralph Tyler Companies in Cleveland, Ohio. Overstreet has worked to build communities and to create opportunities for small minority-owned businesses. Additionally, Overstreet has taught engineering and technical writing for Carnegie Mellon, and authored two history books and over 500 opinion columns on economic development, politics and race relations. Overstreet remains active with the University community, serving on the Department of Civil Engineering Advisory Board of the Russ College of Engineering & Technology and the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Trustees. Overstreet and his wife, JoAnn Gregory Overstreet, have two daughters, Lorie and Piper.

William J. Rakatansky, BARC '72 Medal of Merit

William Rakatansky is the Principal and Founder of R&M Group-NC, PLLC, an architectural and consulting firm. In 2009, Rakatansky was elected to the “College of Fellows” of the American Institute of Architects for his work in building code education and his accomplishments in promoting building safety. Rakatansky has been an active alumnus of Ohio University, founding the Charlotte Chapter of the Ohio University Alumni Association in 1998, serving as President of the chapter for five years and has hosting the annual OHIO Charlotte Chapter summer picnic at his home on Lake Norman for 21 years. Rakatansky lives with his wife and son in Cornelius, North Carolina.

Matthew Stark, BSED '51, AB '51 Medal of Merit

Matt Stark has spent his life working to promote public education and social justice as an advocate for civil rights and equality. He currently serves as Executive Director Emeritus of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and serves on the ACLU National Advisory Council. Stark is an active Ohio University alumnus, serving as President of the Minnesota OUAA Alumni Chapter from 2001-2003 and member of the Bobcat Mentoring Network. Stark has also been an active member of the Minneapolis community for over 50 years, serving on innumerable committees, task forces, boards and foundations. Stark and his wife, Terri, have been married for 26 years and currently reside in Minneapolis.

Distinguished Service

Thomas J. Starr, BBA '69 Distinguished Service

Thomas Starr is the Founder and CEO of Tom Starr Live Advisors, a sales and leadership training company. He is also Co-Founder and Chairman of Miracles for Life, a non-profit foundation for organ donation awareness. Starr has remained a dedicated alumnus - a founding member of the Ralph & Lucy Schey Sales Centre and a past member of the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors. He assists students in finding internships and full-time jobs, and provides career coaching to alumni. Starr and his wife, Anne Wilkerson Starr, BSED ’70, have a son, Jamie, who is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sports Administration.

Honorary Alumnus/a of the Year

Fredrick C. Hagerman Honorary Alumnus of the Year

For over 40 years Fritz Hagerman has dedicated himself to the field of exercise physiology. He was a physiology consultant with the US Olympic Rowing Team for 10 Olympics, (1968 – 2004), and since arriving at OHIO in 1967, Hagerman has mentored hundreds of students who graduated from the exercise physiology or athletic training programs. Now retired, he remains engaged on campus as a member of the College of Health Sciences and Professions Dean’s Advisory Council and through his volunteer work with boys and girls sports, Special Olympics and the Athens Marathon. Hagerman and his wife, Marjorie T. Hagerman MS ’83, currently live in Athens where they have developed Well Works, an adult fitness program. They have three children: Bonnie Hagerman MS ’99, PhD ’01, and twin sons Kristof and Erik.

The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame

Alexandra Maureen Johnstone '02 The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame

Robert S. Moock '71 The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame

Emmett Taylor The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame