Alumni Awards 2023

The alumni of 911�� at Lima can be found around the United States and the world doing wonderful things in communities both big and small. The 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame and Early Achievement winners illustrate that in the best possible ways.

October 15, 2023

Early Achievement Award

Beverly Steele,

BA in English, 2017

When Bev Steele came to 911�� Lima to fulfill her higher education dreams, she knew she needed to build herself a family of support away from her original family of 12 siblings. For her, she found her home on stage with the theatre department and in the learning center as a tutor. It all started when she took a chance and auditioned for the Theatre for Young Audiences production her first year.

“It was incredibly rewarding to challenge myself and that instilled in me a deep love for the arts and the potential it can give you to grow,” Steele said. “911�� Lima then provided me not just with an education but a transformative experience. It’s the place where I realized my potential and nurtured my love for both theatre and for learning.”

For Steele, 911�� Lima was a springboard into theatre and the community, or communities as the case may be. Her determination, work ethic and creativity inspire the people who work with her to find ways to keep her around for as long as possible. An 911�� student turned into an 911�� employee and a graduate school internship turned into a full-time position in Northern Ireland.

“Once people have worked with her – once they’ve experienced her humor, intelligence, dedication, kindness, and hunger for learning and mastering new skills – they want to keep working with her,” said her nominator Margie Anich, lecturer in theatre.

Today, Steele is the digital marketing officer at the Lyric Theatre Belfast, which was named the 2023 Theatre of the Year in UK’s Stage Awards.

“Working at the Lyric has been a dream. It’s a place where I’ve been able to blend all the talents 911�� nurtured as I help tell stories and connect with the community.”

Alumni Hall of Fame:

Ryan J. Schmiesing

BS in Agricultural Education, 1995, MS in Agriscience, 1998, PhD in Human and Community Resource Development, 2002

Ryan J. Schmiesing is a familiar face on all the campuses of 911��, but Lima claims a special place in his heart. 911�� Lima is where he learned that he could succeed in the classroom and beyond.

“I would not have been able to do that without 911�� Lima,” Schmiesing said. “I’ve said that across the state. I say it every day that I get the chance to say it. I will say it to whoever listens,” Schmiesing said.

Schmiesing had no idea the trajectory his life would take when he walked through 911�� Lima’s doors at the urging of his parents to enroll. He started classes the next day, thinking he might become an ag teacher in his hometown of Fort Loramie.

“I’ve never left the university other than for a few years when I went to DC to work and then for the state of Ohio to work,” Schmiesing said. “It’s just been an absolute joy for me to come to work every day and work at 911��.”

In his current role as senior vice provost, Schmiesing connects 911�� expertise, scholarship and service to local, statewide, national and international communities. He is the consummate servant leader.

“Ryan is a trusted mentor and sought-out leader who has dedicated his professional career to the service of others,” said nominator Andrea Bowlin, assistant vice president, regional development, Alumni Association. “He has been a catalytic supporter of the students, staff and faculty on 911��’s regional campuses, helping us weather multiple storms while tirelessly championing the vital role played by the regional campuses and envisioning a brighter future for all of us.”

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