Isabella Moore, Chemistry, class of 2023

Isabella Moore chose to attend Shawnee State University after receiving the Friends of Shawnee Scholarship. Originally looking at the university because of its small class sizes and its reputation in the Pre-Med program, she called the Admissions Office to see if there was any other scholarship she could qualify for to help with tuition.

“I originally didn’t know about the scholarship,” she said. “I called and asked if there was anything I could do or apply for to help with costs, and then they pointed me to the Friends of Shawnee Scholarship.”

After enrolling, Isabella decided to change her major from Pre-Med to Chemistry after enjoying the subject in her entry courses. Isabella also got involved on campus by becoming a Resident Assistant with the Office of Housing & Residence Life.

“I like the leadership opportunities I have there,” she said.“I really enjoy guiding people in the right directions and helping my residents when they need it – whether it’s academics or just in life in general.”

Moore would remain very active on campus in several organizations during her time at SSU, including as a Resident Assistant, Vice President of the Chemistry Club, a Student Alumni Ambassador, and as a member of the Sociology, Math, Bears Mean Business, and Delight student clubs. She also worked on campus at the Morris University Center information desk, within the Office of Housing & Residence Life, and was a member of the campus event setup crew.

Thanks to receiving the Friends of Shawnee Scholarship, Moore had the opportunity to attend Shawnee State, connect with her classmates and professors, and branch out into different student organizations.

“It’s an amazing scholarship,” she said. “Students who need it and can really benefit from it can get it. Even if a donor is giving a small amount to this scholarship, it means so much to the students getting it.”

Isabella graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. The Friends of Shawnee Scholarship helped make Isabella's story possible. You can help make a difference in a student’s life by making a donation or learning more about our named scholarship opportunities.

Funded through the Shawnee State University Development Foundation, the internship support fund – also known as SSU Works – allows SSU students to apply for assistance in completing their internship experiences. The fund helps with transportation, housing, and additional fees that can occur when students are pursuing a competitive internship. Recent graduates Xavier Stambaugh and Hannah Tackett both received funding through SSU Works to assist in the costs with their work experiences.

Xavier Stambaugh completed an internship with his home state congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky at the U.S House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. in 2021. Choosing to major in Political Science to further understand the role of government and the way he could impact the world, Stambaugh wanted to explore his career opportunities with this internship. 

“Our federal government always seemed big and ominous to me but working with congresspeople and seeing them as real people really let me connect with them on a more personable level,” he said.

Stambaugh, who graduated in 2022, is thankful for the experience this hands-on internship was able to give him.

“I have been able to connect with staff members on the hill and create long-lasting relationships that will help me in my career,” he said. “I was so grateful and appreciative of what the SSU Development Foundation has done for me. Because of them, I was able to focus on my internship and not have to worry about my financials.”

Class of 2023 graduate Hannah Tackett completed a 10-week internship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York in 2022. Enrolled in the university’s Biomedical Sciences program (Pre-Med), she applied for summer research programs to help her decide if she wanted to become a physician or a researcher in her future. Getting the opportunity to do both at the cancer center helped her see how much she enjoys being able to connect with others.

“I really enjoyed furthering my knowledge in cancer science,” she said. “Our region is deeply impacted by cancer and education is key to prevention and early detection. I am passionate about promoting health education, especially in a topic that is so universal.”

Throughout her time in the program, she was able to help test the effects of specific chemical compounds on various types of cancers such as lung and colon.

“I want to be able to help others and create a safe environment for people to receive care,” she said. “To get funding like this makes me appreciate our community and creates a clear reason to work harder on my goals and reflect on how I will give back.”

Programs like SSU Works are funded through The Shawnee Fund. You can make an impact by donating to the Shawnee Fund today.

The Todts’ legacy with Shawnee State University began when Dr. Dave Todt started teaching at the university as an adjunct professor in 1975, when the campus facilities were still used as a branch of Ohio University and later as Shawnee State Community College. In 1986, at the opening of Shawnee State University, Dr. Todt became the Chair of the Department of Math & Science. This began a long career of serving in a number of leadership roles at the university, including Interim Dean of College of Arts & Sciences and Director of Teacher Education. In 2007, Dr. Todt was named the Provost at the university, serving in this role for seven years before taking a year sabbatical and then returning to teaching within the university again.

Throughout his career serving the university and its students, Dr. Todt and his wife established a loyalty of giving back to the university, supporting various funds within the SSU Development Foundation for over 25 consecutive years.

“My family always instilled in me a set of values, including service and giving,” said Dr. Todt. “Giving to Shawnee State is giving to students, to opportunities for them and their faculty to continue learning in the best possible environments.”

In 2019, Dr. Todt celebrated his 40th and final year teaching at the university in the Department of Natural Sciences. Upon his official retirement from the institution, Dr. Todt reflected on how much the university has developed from the one-building campus where he first started teaching.

“It’s amazing to see Shawnee State’s growth from the time it opened to now,” he said. “It grew to include all of these beautiful facilities today, and it’s in part thanks to the many supporters the university has. There’s still a lot of growth happening on campus, and I believe the SSU Development Foundation is important as that growth continues.”

“As a donor, I am happy to provide the funds needed to enhance the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center that will ultimately aid student learning,” said Dr. Linda Hunt, SSU Professor of Mathematical Sciences and the Director of Developmental Math and the DDMSC. “As the Director of the Center, I am pleased at how the upgrades will support students and their learning.” 

The DDMSC is a free math tutoring center located on campus that provides students the opportunity to receive assistance with homework, ongoing lessons, and understanding the value of mathematics in their everyday lives. It is named after Dayton Allen Hunt, his wife of 55 years, Arlene May duMeleau Hunt, and her brother Donald Joseph duMeleau. Dedicated supporters of education, the Hunt-duMeleau family promoted careers tied to mathematical sciences.

“It is a great pleasure to assist in those necessary upgrades needed within the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center through the Development Foundation,” said SSU Chief Advancement Officer, Chris Moore. “Our specialized mathematical programs produce exceptional graduates year after year, not to mention the assistance the Center gives to students enrolled in their general education courses.” 

The donation made possible many necessary updates, including new computers and a new printer for the facility. An endowed math scholarship fund and emergency fund for the department was also created with the original gift. 

“I am very grateful for Dr. Hunt’s generosity,” SSU Chair of Mathematical Sciences, Dr. Phil Blau said. “Her extraordinary gift will provide resources to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics at Shawnee State. The quantitative skills and reasoning developed by students in their math classes will help the university advance its mission to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world.” 

To learn more about the services available within the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center, visit shawnee.edu/math. For more opportunities within the SSU Development Foundation, visit givetossu.com or contact (740) 351-3284.

Created by the family of the late Tom Foti, the Tom Foti Dental Hygiene Scholarship will be used to support tuition assistance for students enrolled in the two-year Dental Hygiene program at SSU.

Established in his memory, Tom Foti spent many years working at Shawnee State Community College as the Dean of all the technical programs. Overseeing a variety of two-year programs, he was known for his dedication to the students in his programs as well as his commitment to enhancing technical skills in the region.

“Vern Riffe insisted that a technical institute be built within driving distance of every student in the state of Ohio,” said wife Lillian Foti, speaking of SSU Founder and former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Vern Riffe Jr. “So, Tommy was training for a year at Kent State, then we moved down here so he could teach at the new Scioto Technical College. Then it merged with the Ohio University-Portsmouth branch, and now it has become this beautiful campus.”

Seeing campus for the first time in many years, Lillian and her daughter Toni were amazed at the growth and expansion of the university from its early years when Tom was teaching on campus.

“Southern Ohio means a lot to us,” said Lillian. “There are a lot of people that know Tommy in the community.”

The Dental Hygiene program at SSU is designed to educate and prepare competent dental health care professionals who are able to be employed in private dental practices or clinics. The students are trained to provide a variety of oral care services and treatments as well as give dental health education, home care instruction, and diet and nutritional counseling.

“It’s an opportunity that wouldn’t otherwise be here,” said daughter Toni Ferry of establishing the scholarship to support future Dental Hygiene students. “Shawnee State provides an opportunity to get a great job, in a great field, and at a great place that is not far from home.”

“The support of the Foti family is an incredible opportunity for our Dental Hygiene program and its students,” said Chris Moore, Executive Director of the SSU Development Foundation. “Our exceptional healthcare programs are in-demand all across the region and by establishing this scholarship, we will be able to provide another opportunity to make college possible for a future dental hygienist.”