『Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville』のカバーアート

Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

著者: Dr. Dione D. Somerville
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概要

“Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville” is an award-winning podcast featuring a variety of leaders in education, public service, business and civic life. Host Dr. Dione D. Somerville is the president of Owens Community College, a premier two-year college serving students across Northwest Ohio. Dr. Somerville engages each guest with critical questions about their education, career and professional perspective on key issues impacting the community. Dr. Somerville is a senior leader in higher education whose accomplishments include student success, organizational change and community relations. She earned her doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University.

Produced by Herbey Atkinson '17

Station Manager, Owens Student Media Center

Music by Josh Jump '21

Music Business Technology

Dr. Dione D. Somerville
エピソード
  • City of Rossford Mayor Neil MacKinnon
    2026/02/12

    Neil A. MacKinnon III is a lifelong Rossford resident, civic leader and business professional whose career reflects a deep commitment to community, service and thoughtful growth. A graduate of Rossford High School’s Class of 1986, MacKinnon went on to attend Defiance College, further shaping the values of leadership and service that have defined both his professional and public life. In 2024, he was honored with Rossford High School’s Award of Distinction for his meaningful contributions to society.

    Professionally, MacKinnon serves as a project manager and new business development officer for his family’s company, Nordmann Roofing, a commercial roofing firm established in 1931. In this role, he combines operational leadership with a forward-looking approach to business development, helping guide a multi-generation company rooted in quality and longevity.

    In public service, MacKinnon has made a lasting mark as Mayor of the City of Rossford, first elected in 2011, reelected in 2015 and 2019, and running unopposed in 2023. His tenure has been defined by steady leadership, community investment and an emphasis on safety, recreation and infrastructure. Under his administration, the city has expanded recreational opportunities through park upgrades, the addition of pickleball courts and the dedication of John Folcik Park. He has also overseen significant improvements to the Rossford Marina, including a dedicated kayak launch and a new facility providing concessions, restrooms and showers for boaters and visitors to Veterans Park along the river.

    MacKinnon’s leadership has extended to practical, quality-of-life improvements across the city, including road, curb and sidewalk projects designed to enhance pedestrian safety and family-friendly connectivity. With a consistent focus on public safety and civic preparedness, he was instrumental in creating, renovating and dedicating the Mark G. Zuchowski Safety Planning and Zoning Annex, honoring a former mayor and longtime city servant while strengthening the city’s operational capacity.

    Beyond his professional and elected roles, MacKinnon remains deeply engaged in the Rossford community. He is an active member of the Bulldog Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing student experiences through teacher grants and educational opportunities. He is also the proud father of two children, Neil and Nadia, both Rossford High School graduates, continuing a family legacy closely tied to the city he serves.

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    39 分
  • Penta Career Center Superintendent Ed Ewers
    2026/01/08

    Ed Ewers is the Superintendent of Penta Career Center, a career-technical education institution serving more than 2,700 high school students and thousands of adult learners across five counties in Northwest Ohio. A lifelong educator and native of the region, Ed has spent over 25 years advancing student-centered, workforce-aligned education that connects learning to real-world opportunities.

    Ed began his career as a social studies teacher and coach with Montpelier Exempted Village Schools. He later served as principal of Montpelier High School for more than a decade, leading efforts to strengthen academic rigor, expand student support and deepen community partnerships. In 2011, he became Superintendent of Edon Northwest Local Schools, where he continued to prioritize personalized learning and career readiness.

    In 2015, Ed joined Penta Career Center as its first Assistant Superintendent, a role created to accelerate the school’s strategic growth and expand partnerships with K-12 districts, higher education institutions, and regional employers. He was appointed Superintendent in 2020.

    Ed earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. He is an active member of the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Superintendents and other statewide workforce and education coalitions.

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    45 分
  • Entrepreneurs, Philanthropists and Community Leaders Dr. Tom Brady and Betsy Brady
    2025/12/11

    Dr. Tom Brady and Betsy Brady are entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders whose work has influenced business, education and the arts across northwest Ohio. As co-founders of Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI), they built a global leader in plastics packaging, while also dedicating decades of service to higher education and cultural institutions.

    Tom earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering from the University of Michigan. In 1985, he founded PTI, which became internationally recognized for innovation in sustainable packaging and collaboration with global consumer brands. His career later included service as Interim Dean of the College of Education at the University of Toledo, where he applied his entrepreneurial expertise to advancing academic programs.

    Betsy, a graduate of Smith College with a degree in English, guided PTI’s growth for more than 35 years as Vice President of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs. She was responsible for the company’s organizational strength and culture, ensuring PTI’s success as both a business and an employer. In addition to her corporate leadership, Betsy has been a prominent civic leader, serving in key roles for organizations across the region. Most notably, she chaired the Board of Directors for the Toledo Museum of Art, championing the museum’s accessibility and community impact.

    Together, Tom and Betsy have extended their leadership into philanthropy and education, with a focus on preparing the next generation of professionals. Their most recent initiative, the Brady Educator and Social Services Academy with Toledo Public Schools, will create pathways for students pursuing careers in teaching and social services. This reflects their shared belief in education as the foundation for community and economic growth.

    The Bradys’ legacy is defined by innovation in business, leadership in education, and dedication to cultural and civic institutions. Their partnership has created a lasting impact across industries and communities, ensuring that future generations have opportunities to learn, lead and succeed.

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    58 分
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