Local students earn degrees

Ohio Wesleyan University held its 173rd commencement ceremony on May 13, 2017. The OWU Class of 2017 included 383 spring, summer, and fall graduates, with students representing 20 countries from Afghanistan to Venezuela.

Locally, Ohio Wesleyan’s Class of 2017 included:

• Alescia Austin of Elyria, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Jude Fahoum of Westlake, who earned a Bachelor of Arts* degree.

• Trey Gluth of Port Clinton, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Holly Latteman of Norwalk, who earned a Bachelor of Arts** degree.

• Paul Males of Elyria, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Emily McKenzie of Wellington, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Kayla Pelham of Norwalk, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Emily Phillips of Amherst, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The class also included 62 cum laude, 28 magna cum laude, and 11 summa cum laude honorees. Three graduates were recognized for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their four years at Ohio Wesleyan: Eric Baughman of Springboro, Ohio; Chris Brinich of Lakewood, Ohio; and Nick Norman of Cincinnati, Ohio.

As the graduates celebrated their commencement May 13, they also were encouraged to use their liberal arts educations to become global problem-solvers.

President Jones concluded the commencement ceremony with Ohio Wesleyan’s traditional benediction, encouraging OWU’s newest alumni to share their knowledge and compassion with a world in need.