During the month of April The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County (OSUACMC) announced the recipients of its annual awards to recognize individuals who have provided significant contribution and support to the causes of the local alumni group, as well as to The Ohio State University and/or The OSU Alumni Association. Current club president TERRY E. KOPCHAK was selected as the winner of the 2017 OSUACMC Outstanding Alumnus Award and BARBARA WHITE was named as the winner of the 2017 Outstanding Friend of OSUACMC Award. The awards were presented during the 18th Annual Scholarship Auction held Wednesday evening, April 19, at the VFW Post 1058 in Zanesville.
OSUACMC Outstanding Alumnus Award –
TERRY KOPCHAK
Recipients of the OSUACMC Outstanding Alumnus Award must be graduates of The Ohio State University and are selected on the basis of submitted written nominations which present information in support of the candidates, giving consideration to criteria which emphasize distinguished professional or work experience and public service, and service and support to The Ohio State University, The OSU Alumni Association (OSUAA) and/or The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County (OSUACMC).
Terry Kopchak has enjoyed a 41-year career as an educator, having served as a junior high math teacher, principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and school superintendent. Thousands of former students and colleagues fondly recall Terry’s high expectations and positive leadership style, his emphasis on pride and excellence, his musical creativity, and certainly the fun and excitement of his fantastic annual tradition of “Beat Michigan Week.” After retiring in 2007 from K-12 education, Terry has served as an educational consultant and college planner, and is presently a part-time college level coordinator and adjunct math instructor.
Terry received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math Education and Elementary Education from The Ohio State University in 1976 and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from OSU in 1980. He has been a member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association for 41 years and The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County since its founding in 1988. He has served on the local club’s Board of Governors for 20 years and is currently in his 10th year of service as the President of OSUACMC. Terry is a past board member and officer of the Muskingum County Unit of the American Cancer Society and served as the Education Chair for both the Cancer Society and United Way. He was also very active as a county representative and an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA).
Terry is the husband of Karin (Melick) Kopchak and father of son Topher Kopchak and daughter Katie Kopchak. The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County is honored to select Terry Kopchak as the recipient of the 2017 OSUACMC Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Outstanding Friend of OSUACMC Award –
BARBARA WHITE
The recipient of the Outstanding Friend of OSUACMC Award is not required to be a graduate of Ohio State and is selected on the basis of submitted written nominations which present information in support of the candidate, giving consideration to criteria which emphasize participation in events and activities of The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County, distinguished professional or work experience and public service, and service and support to The Ohio State University.
Barbara White was born and raised in Zanesville and was a 1951 graduate of Lash High School. She has served as the chairperson and coordinator of every class reunion. She attended Meredith Business College in Zanesville and served as an executive assistant with General Electric for 42 years. After retiring from GE, Barbara accepted a position at Tom’s Print Shop and continues her employment there today after 21 years. Since the print shop is somewhat of a “headquarters” for OSUACMC, Barbara often performs tasks related to the club, such as making copies and receiving and distributing information and materials. She coordinates the storage of items for the annual scholarship auction, sells and distributes tickets for club events and OSU athletics, and often manages communication among the officers and Board of Governors and regularly attends club events.
Barbara has devoted a large portion of her life to service through a variety of community organizations, including years as a reader and usher at St. James Episcopal Church. She is a member of the Thursday Music Club, Zanesville Concert Association, and Farm Bureau Council, and she volunteers at the Zanesville Museum of Art. She is known by many for her years of service to local dance groups, such as the Marjorie Holzschuher Sellers Dance Studio, 50 years with the Zanesville High School Devilettes, and 51 years with the Muskingum County Social Dancing program for boys and girls in grades 4 through 8. Barbara was also selected in 2013 as the recipient of the Muskingum Family YMCA Women of Achievement Lifetime Service Award.
Barbara’s immediate family includes her son Bob and daughter–in-law Mollie, who have two daughters Betsy and Leah. She also enjoys the companionship of her high school classmate Bob Welsh, a retired college professor. The OSU Alumni Club of Muskingum County greatly appreciates the contributions of Barbara White to our club and to the community, and we are proud to name her the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Friend of OSUACMC Award.