Eight Honored During Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024

During Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024, the University of Findlay’s Alumni Association honored eight alumni and friends who exemplify the values, ethics, and mission of the University.

“The University of Findlay has a rich history of successful alumni making positive impacts on the campus, students, community, and society as a whole,” said Sam Yates ’16, president of the Alumni Board of Governors, who presented the awards at a breakfast ceremony September 28. “We are pleased to honor these prestigious alumni for their impressive accomplishments and their support of UF.”

Five graduates were honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award that is presented to those who have exhibited the highest standards of achievement in their professional or personal endeavors; who have demonstrated loyalty and support of this University; and who through dedicated service, have contributed to the advancement of all humanity.

This award was first presented in 1962. Since then, there have been only 188 alumni to be honored for their unique contributions to society and the University.

This year’s honorees are:

Distinguished Alumnus Award: John Givens ‘62

The University of Findlay recognizes John Givens, of Findlay, for his dedication to education and his genuine concern for supporting and championing young people.

He earned a bachelor of science in chemistry and mathematics in 1962 from Findlay College. While a student, he played two years of basketball and three years of baseball. During his senior year, he focused on student teaching and it became a lifetime passion.

Givens enjoyed a long career in education, including teaching math and coaching basketball and track at Donnell Junior High School in Findlay, where he served until retirement in 1996. He was dedicated to reaching out to students and helping them every day. Following retirement, he taught part-time at UF and Owens Community College. He also earned a master’s degree from Kent State University in 1964.

Givens has generously donated to the Findlay Fund, Oilers Club, UF baseball program, the Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship, the Troy Berry ’92 Endowed Scholarship, and the Dr. James D. ’53 and Mira M. (Frost ’78) Houdeshell Endowed Scholarship.

Distinguished Alumna Award: Celia Barberena, Ph.D., ’70

The University of Findlay recognizes Celia Barberena, Ph.D., of Pacific Grove, California, for her advocacy for students, her outstanding leadership in higher education, and her dedication to investing in the lives of the next generation. She served for more than four decades in college administration, where she was a collaborator, communicator, and changemaker.

A native of Nicaragua, she came to the United States on an academic scholarship to study at Findlay College and graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology. She earned a master’s degree in Spanish literature and a Ph.D. in educational administration at Bowling Green State University.

Her time in higher education includes positions as a director, dean, and vice president at Modesto Junior College, Sacramento City College, and Hartnell College – all in California. In 2008, she became the first female president of Chabot College in Hayward, California, leading that institution for four years.

With a passion for welcoming all students on the path to higher education, she has always been a strong voice for resources to help at-risk students and those from multicultural populations.

At the University, Barberena has generously donated to the Findlay Fund, the Findlay Forward Scholarship, and the Pam Hyland Endowed Scholarship. She also is a member of the University’s C.T. Fox Legacy Society.

Distinguished Alumnus Award Charlie Parker ’72

The University of Findlay recognizes Charlie Parker, of Richardson, Texas, for his success in coaching basketball, consistently setting new records with his teams while teaching and mentoring many generations of players.

A longtime, successful collegiate and NBA basketball coach, Parker graduated from Findlay College in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. His coaching career began at Findlay, as an assistant basketball coach and head track/cross country coach. He received a master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in 1974 and spent six seasons as an assistant coach at BGSU.

As head coach at Wayne State University from 1982-88, he posted a record of 120-56, becoming the winningest coach in school history. WSU won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference three times, and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals.

His NBA coaching career began in 1996, when he joined the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before moving to the New Orleans Hornets for three seasons, one of which was their best season in history.

Parker’s career took an international turn when he became an assistant coach of the Foshan Basketball Club in China, and later head coach of the Al Muharraq team in Bahrain, the Gunma Crane Thunder team in Japan, and the Chinese Taipei men’s national team that went to the World Cup Championship in 2021.

At UF, he has donated to the Findlay Fund and the Dr. James D. ’53 and Mira M. (Frost ’78) Houdeshell Endowed Scholarship.

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Vince Passaro ’81

The University of Findlay recognizes Vince Passaro, of Bedminster, New Jersey, for his exceptional career in the environmental industry and service to the next generation entering the field. The 1981 Findlay College graduate earned a bachelor of science in biology and currently serves as vice president of marketing/business development at Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc., a large environmental consulting and engineering company in Bedminster, New Jersey.

His impressive accomplishments include building a company of five employees into a company of 100, making it one of the fastest-growing privately held companies on the Inc. 500 list. He also managed the City of Cincinnati’s environmental contract for nine years, spurring on economic development projects along the riverfront.

Passaro served as an expert witness for a Cincinnati Public Schools lawsuit against more than 10 asbestos manufacturers whose products were identified in their buildings, requiring 18 full days of depositions. Furthermore, he managed three large water treatment plant design-build projects ranging from $20 to $160 million in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Since 1988, he has served as a technical expert at the National Institute of Standards & Technology.

At the University, Passaro has generously donated to the Findlay Fund and Findlay Forward Scholarship, and he has spoken on campus, encouraging current students in their studies and sharing his life experiences with them.

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Thomas Brungard ’96 ’98

The University of Findlay recognizes Thomas Brungard, of Perrysburg, for his exceptional corporate environmental management career, his dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of Oilers, and his philanthropy. A dual-degree UF graduate, he earned a master’s degree in environmental management in 1996 and an MBA in organizational leadership in 1998.

He retired in 2019 as the health, safety, security, and environmental affairs manager/compliance and ethics leader at BP-Husky Refining LLC, where he served for 12 years. He established a partnership between BP Toledo and UF that provided funds for campus enhancements, including a ventilation lab, windmill, solar panels, program curriculum, and scholarships. He was committed to regularly hiring UF graduates and welcomed many interns from the student body. Additionally, Brungard serves on the University’s EHSS National Advisory Board.

Previously, he worked 17 years for Owens Corning and was the global leader of environment, health and safety for the composite solutions business segment.

Since retirement, Brungard has served as a UF adjunct professor for the EHSS program. He is passionate about his Christian faith and developing ethical leadership skills in students.

He and his wife Deb have generously donated to the Findlay Fund, Findlay Forward Scholarships, the Armstrong Athletic Complex, Oilers Club, and they created the Brungard Family Scholarship Endowment. Their family legacy at UF includes a son, daughter-in-law, and daughter, who are all Oiler graduates.

Old Main Award: Alyse Johnson Wineland ’11

The Old Main Award is presented to a UF alumnus who has demonstrated distinctive achievements in a chosen career, civic involvement, and service to the University – and has not reached the age of 36. This award was first presented in 1994 and since then, 29 young alumni have been honored.

The University of Findlay recognizes Alyse Johnson Wineland, of Perrysburg, for her passion for public service and achievements serving the citizens of Ohio. She is a 2011 UF graduate, earning a bachelor of science in environmental, safety and occupational health management (ESOH).

Wineland is a staff member at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency where she started in November 2011 as an Environmental Specialist 2 and progressed to her current role in May 2021 as Environmental Specialist 3. She leads staff in reviewing and processing Clean Air Act permitting projects and monitoring regulatory compliance. She has worked with large corporations throughout Northwest Ohio, efficiently addressing their permitting needs while ensuring environmental protection for the public.

In addition to her thriving career, Wineland is committed to her Catholic faith and volunteer work.

Arch Award: Dennis Bishop

The Arch Award is presented to a member of the community, faculty, or staff who does not hold a degree from UF but has given 15 years or more of service and demonstrated their loyalty and support for the institution. This award was first presented in 2005 and since then, 19 faithful friends of the University have been honored.

The University of Findlay recognizes Dennis Bishop, of Findlay, for his success in business and farming, support of education, and commitment to serving others here and abroad.

As a member of the UF Board of Trustees for 15 years, he provided valuable direction and leadership to campus administrators. His guidance helped the University to expand its master’s and doctoral programs by offering eight new degrees. Extensive renovations were completed in many campus buildings, new student housing was added, and enrollment climbed.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton University and a master’s degree in botany from Bowling Green State University.

Bishop’s multi-faceted career includes service as a teacher, businessman, and farmer. His career in education included five years as a biology teacher at the high school and junior college levels, and he later taught real estate principles and practices at UF. His background in business includes Bishop-Kandel Realty and Bishop-Kandel Rentals, along with DLM Plastics in Findlay. In addition, he and his son run a successful farming operation.

Bishop’s community service stretches around the globe. He served as a trustee and treasurer for Winebrenner Theological Seminary, and he is the past chairman of the board for Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center. He also is a member of the board of directors for Global Leadership, a non-profit volunteer organization that conducts leadership sessions in Ukraine and China for business people.

He and his wife Jan are members of the University’s CT Fox Legacy Society, they have supported Oiler athletic programs, and they established an endowed scholarship that assists students preparing for Christian ministry.

Gold Medallion Award: Robert Hayden ’62

The Gold Medallion Award is presented posthumously to a deceased alumnus with distinguished career accomplishments who made outstanding contributions to their professions, the University or their community, but had not been acknowledged by UF prior to their death. This award was first presented in 1994 and since then, the memory and legacy of 30 alumni have been honored.

The University of Findlay recognizes Robert Hayden, formerly of Lorain, who passed away in January 2024, for his dedication to students, learning, and the community.

Hayden earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and psychology from Findlay College in 1962. He played on the Oiler football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling teams. He also received a master of education from Kent State University.

He spent five years teaching and coaching in Lorain before moving to Lakewood City Schools to become a teacher and administrator. He served from 1968 until 1996 when he retired. During his tenure, he earned the honor of Ohio Middle School Educator of the Year and was a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar. He also was appointed to the National Middle School Select Team of Consultants, and he created a science curriculum for high school students.

He loved to study biology and participated in a National Science Foundation Institute program in California, where he was part of a group that saved a beached whale – providing him with one of many stories that he loved to share.

Hayden cherished his family, including his children, grandchildren, and wife Natalie of 49 years.

His generous spirit was evident in his service as a Kiwanis Club member, United Way chairman, and board member for a counseling center and the Cuyahoga County Chemical Abuse Board. Hayden also was a supporter of UF and most recently made a gift to the new Dick Strahm Champions Field.

To submit a nomination for the 2025 awards, visit give.findlay.edu/alumni.

Pictured above, from left are Celia Barberena, Ph.D., Dennis Bishop, Alexis Simon for her late father Robert Hayden, Jeff Givens for his father John Givens, Charlie Parker, Vince Passaro, Alyse Johnson Wineland, and Thomas Brungard.

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