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ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe honored nearly 100 graduates from the area at a Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 1. Over the past year, 134 students have completed their studies and earned degrees from ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï while attending ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe.

In her address, Dr. Saunders-Adams urged the graduates to embrace their uniqueness and recognize that the world needs exactly what only they can offer. Drawing on her personal journey from Ross County to a Ph.D., she reminded students that true success comes from showing up, taking risks, and daring greatly—even in the face of doubt.

As an associate professor of social work at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï and associate director of Ohio's University Consortium for Child and Adult Services, Saunders-Adams combines her expertise with a heartfelt passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of social workers. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Work and a research certificate from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from ºÚÁϳԹÏ.

Also during the ceremony, student reflection speakers McKenzie Anderson and Tana Raypole shared perspectives on the challenges they have overcome to achieve their degrees and discussed their hopes for their graduating class.

Anderson is graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She attended Paint Valley High School, graduating in 2022. At OHIO Chillicothe, she helped lead the Student Social Work Association. She completed her Social Work field placement at National Church Residences Hospice, where she enjoyed working with older adults and their families. Anderson has always sought to help people, and she is excited to launch her career in social work.

Raypole is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. She too, has felt a strong calling to help people from a young age. While she started the steps to become a nurse in 2007, she soon chose another path of starting a family and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Through her professional career, Raypole served her community through her work at the Pioneer Center and she currently serves as an Independent Provider for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

She returned to ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe in 2023 to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She looks forward to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at Riverside Hospital.

In addition, 14 students were named Outstanding Graduates. These students were nominated by faculty members and demonstrated academic accomplishments and participation in university activities and community service. This year’s Outstanding Graduates are:

• Emma Adams – Bachelor of Science in Education
• McKenzie Anderson – Bachelor of Social Work
• Allison Boggioni, Associate in Applied Science – Child Development
• Ella Clancy – Bachelor of Science in Education
• Taylor Danner – Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
• Victoria Hay – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Olivia Higley – Bachelor of Science in Education
• Shelby Hill – Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
• Baylee Justice – Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
• Maggie McDaniel – Bachelor of Science in Education
• Kayleigh Rapp – Bachelor of Science in Education
• Spencer Rossman – Bachelor of Social Work
• Seth Southers – Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies
• Dorothea West – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

In a nurse pinning ceremony earlier in the day, 21 Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 30 Associate in Applied Science in Nursing graduates received their nurse pins.

During the graduation recognition ceremony, OHIO Chillicothe’s Dean of Campus and Community Relations Dr. Roberta Milliken presented alumni awards to two ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe alumni.

A lifelong resident of Ross County, Susan Congrove graduated from ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï 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. Susan retired in 2024 from Zane Trace Local Schools, where she served as a teacher, curriculum director, and elementary principal throughout her thirty-year career. She is now an adjunct instructor at OHIO Chillicothe.

Susan has been involved with 4-H, United Way of Ross County, the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe Education Advisory Committee, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has also served as a trustee for the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. As principal of Zane Trace Elementary, Susan collaborated with OHIO Chillicothe to host teacher interns and implement tutoring programs with an OHIO Chillicothe grant.

Josh Walter graduated from ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Chillicothe in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. The Regional Manager for DTB Distributors, a janitorial distributor with three locations, Josh enjoys building relationships with his community and customers. 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. Josh organized the Ruck 22 Fall Food & Music Festival 5K and 22K Charity Run to raise awareness for veteran suicide.