Class Notes

Rodney L. Johnson passed away at Wexner Medical Center/The James Cancer Hospital from Acute Myeloid Leukemia on October 28, 2025. Early Life and Education. Born on April 19, 1947, Rodney was the eldest son of Delbert and May (Purcell) Johnson. He grew up in Columbus and Gahanna, Ohio, where he attended Gahanna Lincoln High School. Rod graduated in 1965, having been an active member of the cross country, basketball, and baseball teams. After high school, he attended The Ohio State University, earning a degree in history education in 1969.Teaching and Coaching Career Rod's career in education began at Madison High School in Guernsey County. He continued to serve as an educator at Buckeye Trail High School. Throughout his tenure, Rod taught history and psychology and coached several sports. He achieved notable coaching success by founding the girls volleyball program at Buckeye Trail High School. Under his leadership, the team reached the OHSAA State Tournament three times, securing a state championship in 1989 and finishing as state runner-up in 1990.Administrative Roles and Continued Impact. Rods commitment to education extended beyond the classroom and the court. He served as an administrator at East Guernsey, Cambridge, Franklin Local and Johnstown Schools. In retirement, his passion for coaching continued as he led volleyball programs at various high schools in Guernsey and Muskingum counties, including Cambridge, New Lexington, and West Muskingum High Schools. At the heart of Rod s career was a passionate advocacy for high quality public education. He carried this commitment into his second career as Student Teacher Placement Coordinator for Muskingum University and Ohio University, where he continued to influence the next generation of educators. Other Interests and Honors Rod pursued a variety of side projects throughout his life. He worked as a sportswriter for the Daily Jeffersonian in Cambridge, Ohio, and served as a radio play-by-play and color analyst for local sports throughout Guernsey County and the surrounding areas. His dedication and achievements were recognized with inductions into both the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) Hall of Fame and the Gahanna Lincoln High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Family and Legacy Treasured family memories include trips to Daytona and Charlotte for NASCAR races, bringing along daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren while exploring historic sites en-route. Rod also served as commissioner of the annual March Madness Champion of the Family bracket challenge, coordinating up to 15 relatives picks each round, diligently recording and scoring them by hand, and sharing eloquent and detailed updates. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Trudy, and his brother Steve. He is survived by Carol, his wife and partner of 18 years, daughters Mandy (Brent) and Meredith (Brian), and stepdaughter Staci (David). He is also remembered by his brother Russell, nephew Brian (Toni), sister-in-law Becky, brother-in-law CP, and many cousins. Rod s grandchildren Lily, Avery, Colby, Brooklyn, and Charlotte meant the world to him, and he was devoted to and invested in their lives. He will also be deeply missed by his best friend, Tom, and many others whose lives he touched.

If we listen closely to our heart; we will hear the call to serve. It's a call that was a part of our being when we were born and is always there whether we pay attention to it or not God holds us responsible. So, lets respond to that call to serve; lets give a little of ourselves to help others William E. Blaine, Jr. passed away July 14, 2025, and lived his life by those words of serving others throughout his 101-1/2 years. William preceded in death by his soulmate of 71 years, Jo Ann Merkle Blaine, and his parents W. Emerson Emmy Blaine and Kathryn Blaine. Survived by his son Michael J. Blaine, Grandview Heights, Ohio, daughter Cathy J. Egner, Malibu, California, son J. Craig Blaine (Jo), San Diego, California, son Judson E. Blaine (Monica), Upper Arlington, Ohio; grandchildren, Ryan (Zhouie) Emerson, Myles Egner, Anna Egner (John Crisan), Max Blaine, Bridget Blaine, Jillian Beers (Zach), Chelsea Kuck (David), Tyler Blaine (Alexandria), greatgrandchildren, Bear and Joanna Emerson, Elly Lehman; Duke, Lo, Romy and Rafe Blaine. A graduate of The Columbus Academy, Bowdoin College-B.A., The Ohio State University-J.D. and M.B.A., and Century University-PhD Finance. William served his Country as a Lieutenant in the Navy. He piloted the amphibious plane PBY during WWII and the Korean War. His love of flying never left his heart. After the war, William served his family by practicing law in Columbus, Ohio until called into the family lumber business. Being the third generation in the lumber business, William and his father grew the businesses into one of the largest lumber and building materials company in the Midwest. William served future Entrepreneurs as a teacher of Business at The Ohio State University and Muskingum University. Many business owners attribute their start in business from encouraging advice from William. Over his lifetime, William served his community by serving on Non-Profit Boards including: Columbus Rotary, Junior Achievement, Easter Seals, United Way, Methodist Theological School of Ohio, Syntaxis, Catholic Social Services, Ohio Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Central Ohio, National Church Residences, UA Building & Zoning, UA Library Fund, Ohio Wesleyan University, and American Red Cross. He gave of his Time, Talent, and Treasure. William served his faith by teaching 6th grade Sunday School for 40 years at Trinity United Methodist Church. He taught multigenerational families and prepared them for entering the membership of the church. To say that William was a man of exceptional character would be an understatement. Having received 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards from 5 different organizations, but you would never know he received any because of his humble nature. Even though William's life of service and humbleness could have qualified him for divineness, he always had time for his family. Rather it was a decades long overseeing the Sunday s family cookouts after church, or supporting his children s many endeavors, or planning the many family trips abroad, or his decades long Friday date night dinners with JoAnn at The Columbus Club. William and JoAnn were avid travelers and art collectors. Their lifetime love of the fine arts and building a collection spanned most of their life. William is the example of love and grace to his family. Affectionally known as Dee to his family, he demonstrated that life is to be lived to the fullest at any age. Authoring a total of 13 published books with 12 books in his 80s, or playing chess with his son, Craig, into his 90s and 100s, or playing Bridge, doing puzzles, doing isometrics, all into his 90s and 100s. Dee enjoyed swimming laps well into his 90s, and played golf at The Golf Club into his 80s. While giving a speech at a benefit, William quoted from Oliver Wendal Homes: It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping themselves. William was born with a servant s heart and a faith that led him to a lifetime of service to his: Faith, Family, Country, Community, and Business. William would never hold his life up as an example for others to live by, but that is the reason why anyone that had the pleasure of knowing him, will use him as the example of how to live life the way it is meant to be lived.

Dr. Lorle A. Porter, age 87, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

She was born on April 7, 1938, in Mount Vernon and was the daughter to the late Robert A. and Dorothy (Downs) Porter.

Dr. Porter held a B.A. from Notre Dame College, Cleveland, an M.A. for Boston College and a Ph.D. in European Medieval History for the University of New Mexico. Later, due to the illness of her mother, she concentrated on Southeastern Ohio History, publishing ten books and winning seven awards from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums and a national award from the American Association of State and Local History. Dr. Porter was awarded the distinction of Outstanding Teacher for 1998 by the Ohio Academy of History. Upon her retirement in 1998, after a 34-year career, Muskingum University named her Regional Historian in Residence.

She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2000. Dr Porter was quite active in New Concord civic affairs. She was a founding member of R.E. New and awarded the Dedicated Public Servant Award from New Concord in 1999. She was a founding trustee of the John & Annie Glenn Foundation and developed the Living History program at the Glenn Historic Site.

Dr. Porter was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert S. and Becky Porter; sister, Sara (Jerry) Mann; nieces and nephews, Debra (Paul) Larrison, Patricia (Doug) Kenney, Theresa (Scott) Randall, Christina (Matt) Cudlip, Robert (Anna) Porter, Douglas (Gwen) Porter; along eight numerous great nieces and nephews.

June 24, 2018, Colfax, North Carolina.
Alice is the wife of emeritus trustee, Charles J. Fisher.

Professors German and Gene Alesandrini catch up with Kaylee Lukacena ’14 at the National Communication Association conference in Dallas, Texas.