MCAA Council welcomes 6 dedicated alumni to its roster
The Marietta College Alumni Association Council is pleased that six new passionate members of The Long Blue Line joined its ranks during the annual May meeting. Four of the new members are from Ohio, one is from Texas, and another hails from New Hampshire.
These alumni have committed to establishing a community of support for the College's academic, campus life, fundraising, and enrollment efforts.
Here are your new MCAAC members:
Don Buckwell ’84
B.A. Marketing/Management
Additional Degrees
None
Occupation
Customer Service Representative — Cummings Printing
Other Activities and Service
- Tau Epsilon Phi
- Lead Volunteer for the New England Alumni Association
- Fundraising/Chaperone Volunteer at Winnisquam Regional High School Music Department
- Day of Giving advocate
- Sinclair Society
Favorite Marietta College Memory
There are two. In 2014, I was able to walk in The Long Blue Line with my father, James ’61, for my niece, Lindsay Buckwell’s graduation and then in 2016 I was able to speak at my daughter Daley Buckwell’s graduation ceremony.
Why I’m excited to join the MCAA-C
I am excited to help as much as I can with Alumni Engagement. I really enjoy interacting with all MC Alumni and look forward to doing more of it!
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
I love meeting up with old friends that I went here with and meeting new friends at reunions at MC and at the various MC events in New England.
Additional Degrees
Master of Business Administration – Case Western Reserve University (May 2026)
Occupation
Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist — Case Western Reserve University
Other Activities and Service
- Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach - Gilmour Academy
- RockCity 14-1 Volleyball Coach
Favorite Marietta College Memory
Becoming lifelong friends with my teammates and sorority sisters at MC.
Why I’m excited to join the MCAA-C
I am looking forward to giving back to an institution that has given me so much over the years.
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
No matter what city I travel to, I always seem to find a member of The Long Blue Line!
Kennedy Clyde ’16
B.A. Broadcasting
John Foster ’74
B.A. Business/Managerial Economics
Additional Degrees
Master of Business Administration — University of Colorado (1991)
Occupation
President — Partners in Steel International Inc.
Other Activities and Service
- Volunteer Assistant for Shaker Heights High School Rowing Team
- Various consulting projects relating to the domestic and international steel market.
Favorite Marietta College Memory
Rowing on the Muskingum for the MC crew.
Why I’m excited to join the MCAA-C
Being essentially retired, and now that time allows, I have the chance to give back to the College that was such an important part of my life.
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
The friends and personal relationships directly related to MC that developed and have grown over the years.
Additional Degrees
None
Occupation
Director of Talent Acquisition — Redwood Living
Other Activities and Service
- Alpha Tau Omega Annual Report Judge
- Olmsted Falls Soccer Association coach
- 2023 OnCon Top 50 US Talent Acquisition Professional
Favorite Marietta College Memory
Spending the 2008 J-Term as an intern for a presidential campaign in New Hampshire with other political science students. We spent almost a month in Manchester, New Hampshire, meeting so many important people (FBI Directors, judges, senators, house members, celebrities, etc.) who were helping get out the vote for the first primary. It was so incredible to see the highest level of politics in the U.S. in action and something very few get to see...and we got to see it thanks to MC.
Why I'm excited to join the MCAA-C
Marietta has provided me so many opportunities to grow. I’m excited to be able to give back and hopefully provide that opportunity for many others.
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
It doesn’t matter the age gap, being an MC grad creates an instant connection. Throughout the years, I’ve bonded with graduates as far back as the 1950s over everything from being an ATO to living in Marietta Hall to surviving the 2004 flood(s) to our favorite professors. Marietta provides a strong and intimate connection between graduates that big schools just can’t provide.
Michael "Mickey" Hart ’08
B.A. Political Science
Kathryn Patton ’10
BSPE Petroleum Engineering
Additional Degrees
Certificate in Leadership Studies
Occupation
Deepwater Drilling Engineer — Chevron
Other Activities and Service
N/A
Favorite Marietta College Memory
There are too many to count, and everyday I’m grateful for the friendships forged at MC.
Why I’m excited to join the MCAA-C
I believe in the value of my MC education and passionate that the same or better opportunities are available to current and future students.
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
The immediate and deep camaraderie you feel when you meet another member for the first time. I’ll never get sick of hearing people say, “Marietta is such a special place.”
Additional Degrees
None
Occupation
Senior Human Resource Manager — JobsOhio
Other Activities and Service
Jessica was a member of the Marietta College softball program from 2004-07. Currently, she is involved with:
- Human Relations Association of Central Ohio (HRACO) — College Relations Committee member and Emerging Leaders Committee Member
- Girls Scouts of America Volunteer
- Career and Professional Coaching
Favorite Marietta College Memory
Meeting with Admissions and (Coach) Jeanne Arbuckle and learning that I would be officially accepted into the school and the softball program. I knew it was a big deal then, but I had no idea how much it would change my life. Marietta and Jeanne gave me a chance and I will forever be grateful.
Why I’m excited to join the MCAA-C
It’s time to give back and change lives like mine was changed when I went to Marietta. I’m excited to be a part of something this near and dear to me.
What I love about being a member of The Long Blue Line
I love what The Long Blue Line represents. To me it represents many generations of good, smart, kind people. I’m proud to be part of something so special!
Jessica Villa-Cruz ’08
B.A. Human Resource Management
Alumni Awards Ceremony honors remarkable Pioneers
After leading an anti-slavery prayer meeting on the West Side of Marietta, Samuel Hall (Class of 1838) stood between his prayer group and an angry mob so his colleagues could escape. Once they were safely away, Hall jumped from the building’s window and swam the icy Muskingum River back to the safety of campus. A year later, Hall continued to show his bravery and faith when he volunteered to care for a young, visiting tutor who fell ill with smallpox. Hall tended to the man until his death, buried the tutor, and burned his clothes to avoid spreading the disease.
Samuel Hall will be inducted into Marietta College’s Hall of Honor during this year’s Alumni Awards Ceremony at Homecoming. Other awardees include Greg Maloof ’67, Chase Oberfield ’12, Joe and Linda Chlapaty, Jeanne Arbuckle, the late Dr. Gama Perruci, and Roger Patterson ’62.
Maloof has remained extremely loyal to his alma mater for more than 50 years with his financial support and service to the fraternity Delta Tau Delta, and by mentoring students. In 2022, he was elected mayor of the town of Monteagle, Tennessee. He is the oldest living member of Marietta’s chapter of Delta Tau Delta, which he helped found on campus.
Oberfield will receive the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Oberfield is an Inspector Instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has also served as a Company Commander and Platoon Commander. Major Oberfield’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Arbuckle and the Chlapatys will be recognized as an Honorary Alumni. As the Pioneers softball coach for 31 years, Arbuckle amassed 571 victories, one Ohio Athletic Conference championship and two NCAA appearances. She also coached volleyball for 10 seasons and won 172 matches. She is a member of Marietta’s Athletic Hall of Fame following a stellar coaching career. Joe and Linda Chlapaty are esteemed philanthropists and dedicated advocates for education and community development. Mr. Chlapaty is the Former Chairman, President, and CEO of Advanced Drainage Systems, a pipe manufacturer in Hilliard, Ohio. Ms. Chlapaty has worked as a court-appointed advocate for children in Franklin County, Ohio.
The late Dr. Perruci was the former Dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business and a McCoy Professor of Leadership. He authored and co-authored multiple books and articles on leadership and leadership education, and also served as Interim Provost from 2011 to 2013. Dr. Perruci will be recognized as a 2022 Honorary Alumni.
Patterson will receive the Liz Tribett Service Award for his 30-plus-year mentoring and advising role to the Bet Rho chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Patterson has guided hundreds of young men to succeed as students, campus leaders, and, most importantly, compassionate and community-minded adults.
The College is also pleased to welcome Paul Adams ’69, Ruth Gilbert Whitner ’72, and Christine Zernick Suter ’84 as the new inductees into the Adkins Society. The Society was initiated to recognize the special contributions of former Marietta College Alumni Association leadership, keep them informed of current college activities, encourage them to maintain close personal connections to Marietta College, and thank them for their service. The inductees have collectively dedicated 13 years of service to Marietta College.
The Alumni Awards Ceremony will take place at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, in the Alma McDonough Auditorium.
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