Four individuals with ties to Bowling Green or Bowling Green State University were honored by the University of Findlay Alumni Association during the recent Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration.
Ted M. Haselman, William E. Rumbold and Catherine M. Kisseberth received the Distinguished Alumni Award; and Dr. Cheryl Miller received the posthumous Gold Medal Award. They were among the eight UF alumni and friends recognized for exemplifying the values, ethics and mission of the university.
Haselman was named Bowling Green City Schools Superintendent in August. He completed his principal license in 2010, superintendent license in 2013 and a doctoral degree in education in 2017 from the University of Findlay. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in business education and a Master of Education in the art of teaching from Marygrove College.
Before being named superintendent at Bowling Green City Schools, he was superintendent of Pike-Delta-York local school district, and a middle school teacher, department chair and athletic coach at Perrysburg Schools.
Haselman has served on the UF College of Education advisory council for many years, providing feedback for the principal, superintendent, and Ed.D. programs. He was selected to be the first chair of the College of Education Dean’s advisory board and has served in that role since 2016. In fall of 2016, he was named the college’s Visiting Educator and frequently spoke to undergraduate classes. Since 2020, he has served as an adjunct professor in the educational administration program.
Rumbold, who earned a Master of Arts in business communications from BGSU, graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in speech from Findlay College. He has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. With positions in marketing, training, and sales, Rumbold has been responsible for the successful launch of several billion-dollar pharmaceutical products. He also has extensive experience in medical professional and executive-level consulting with major healthcare organizations. He currently is the vice president of strategy and corporate development at MedicaSafe, a medical device company in New York.
Rumbold is an active volunteer with the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, mentoring small business leaders. While a student at Findlay College, he was a general manager of WLFC, the campus radio station, and played a vital role in putting the station on the air 50 years ago. He currently serves on the UF Communication Advisory Board and is a member of the Alumni Board of Governors. Rumbold has generously donated to the William Rumbold WLFC/ Findlay Media Network Scholarship Endowment and the Findlay Fund. He also is a member of the C.T. Fox Society, which honors donors who have made planned gift commitments.
Kisseberth, president/CEO of Hancock Federal Credit Union (HFCU) in Findlay oversees day-to-day and long-term strategic operations of the $100 million asset financial institution. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Findlay in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, she joined Hancock Federal Credit Union as director of accounting. She went on to receive a master of Accountancy degree from BGSU in 2011 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 2012. She gained additional experience with a local manufacturing company and returned to HFCU in 2015 as the chief financial officer. She was named CEO in 2021.
Kisseberth has served as a mentor for the UF College of Business Future Leaders Initiative and has supported the Business Affiliates Scholarship. She currently serves on the board of directors for Hope House for the Homeless, Hancock Historical Museum, Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance.
The Gold Medallion Award, presented posthumously to alumni with superb records of distinguished career accomplishments and outstanding contributions to their profession, was awarded to Dr. Cheryl Miller, who passed away in January 2022. She was born and raised in Findlay and graduated from Findlay College in 1971 with the goal of becoming a teacher. After receiving a master’s degree at Bowling Green State University, she was hired at Nordonia City Schools in the Akron area as a business teacher and earned a Ph.D. in secondary education from the University of Akron. Upon retirement, she returned to Findlay and left a bequest to UF creating two scholarship endowments: one in business to aid undergraduate and master’s degree students, and one in education for students pursuing a teaching certificate.
Other 2023 UF awardees included Joan Smith Edwards ’69, and Judge Stephanie M. Bishop ’00, who both received the Distinguished Alumni Award; Valerie K. Leskosky ’15, ’17, Old Main Award for outstanding achievement before the age of 36; and Chuck Bills, Arch Award, presented to a member of the University of Findlay community who does not hold a degree from the institution, but has demonstrated loyalty and support of the university.
