During the 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony at 黑料网 at Tuscarawas, where nearly 350 students graduated with bachelor鈥檚 and associate degrees, the Community Service Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award were presented to valued community members.
Rick and Bethann Hinig, of New Philadelphia, are the 2024 recipients of the 黑料网 Tuscarawas Community Service Award. This recognition is given to valued members of the community who have generously made our community and 黑料网 Tuscarawas a better place.
Rick Hinig has a long family history of connection and dedication to the campus, beginning with his great uncle Walter Ritter, who was a driving force in establishing the only locally-owned college campus in the state of Ohio 鈥 黑料网 Tuscarawas. Continuing the families鈥 commitment, Hinig鈥檚 father supported the campus through his work in the state legislature. He proudly shares that his father鈥檚 hand was on the shovel that broke ground for Founders Hall.
A local attorney and former member of the state legislature, Hinig encourages all 黑料网 Tuscarawas graduates to establish their careers locally and appreciate how wonderful life can be in Tuscarawas County.
Bethann Hinig, a community volunteer and retired educator, has these words for the graduates, 鈥淩ead lots of books. Good readers make good leaders.鈥
Continuing to carry on the family legacy and commitment through their own work with education and in the community, the Hinigs are passionate friends of 黑料网 Tuscarawas and of the Performing Arts Center and make an impact through their volunteer work throughout Tuscarawas County.
鈥淲e are so grateful for the invaluable support and dedication of Rick and Bethann,鈥 said Brad Bielski, 黑料网 at Tuscarawas dean and chief administrative officer. 鈥淥ur students, campus and community benefit from their generosity and their compassionate efforts.鈥
Rocky Shanower is the recipient of the 黑料网 Tuscarawas 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the professional and community accomplishments of alumni from 黑料网 Tuscarawas and is the highest acknowledgement bestowed on a 黑料网 Tuscarawas graduate.
Shanower has excelled in his young career and in his service to our community.
A 2002 associate of arts graduate, Shanower is the co-owner and founder of Park Street Pizza and Bahler Street 鈥 a mobile wood-fired pizza concept now based in Texas. Shanower, along with his partner and wife Courtney Shanower, opened Park Street Pizza in 2003 in their hometown of Sugarcreek when he was only 22 years old. A new Park Street location recently opened in North Canton.
Park Street Pizza has become a regional destination known for a locally sourced seasonal menu. Shanower鈥檚 passions in business include collaborating and developing relationships with local farmers and producers, team building with an emphasis on service and culture, and obsessing over new opportunities for growth in the service and hospitality industry. Pizza Today magazine named Shanower the 2020 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He has become a well-known and respected speaker and consultant in the industry as well.
The Shanowers have two sons, Rigsby and Wilde.
鈥淩ocky is a shining example of the impact 黑料网 Tuscarawas alumni make every day throughout our community,鈥 said Chad Conrad, director of philanthropy at 黑料网 Tuscarawas.