Capital University: Notable Alumni and Their Impact
Capital University, a private liberal arts institution rooted in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has a rich history of fostering individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their achievements and the impact they have had on their communities and beyond.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
Capital University, since its founding in 1830, has consistently produced graduates who embody the values of leadership, service, and intellectual curiosity. These alumni have gone on to excel in diverse fields, including law, politics, education, business, and the arts.
Honoring Alumni Achievements
Capital University recognizes the accomplishments of its alumni through various awards and celebrations. The annual Homecoming festivities provide a platform to honor those who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. In 2023, three distinguished alumni were recognized for their achievements:
- Joy Bledsoe Bivens ’99: As deputy county administrator for Health & Human Services in Franklin County, Bivens plays a crucial role in supporting the county's largest agency and social safety net. Her leadership extends to the national level, where she serves as vice chair of the National Association of Counties Human Services and Education subcommittee. In 2020, she testified before a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing on child poverty strategies.
- Chris McManus ’92, G’01: A dedicated music educator at Daniel Wright Elementary School in Dublin City Schools since 2002, McManus has also had the privilege of serving as the assistant conductor of the All-Ohio Youth Choir, which performs as the resident choir at the Ohio State Fair.
- Danya Hamad ’19, L’21: Hamad is a remarkable young alumna who completed her undergraduate degree from Capital at age 17 before entering Capital University Law School. She demonstrated exceptional qualifications by petitioning the State Supreme Court at age 20 as she prepared for the Ohio Bar Exam.
Alumni Making a Difference
Capital University alumni are making a tangible difference in the world through their dedication to service and their commitment to addressing critical social issues.
- Elli Wachtman: A role model in service to others, Wachtman was a charter member of the Bonner Leader program at Capital, where she led 30 student leaders through service and social advocacy training. After graduating, she pursued a Master of Arts in International Development and Social Innovation for Global Impact. Wachtman is the founder and executive director of the Sikhona Rescue Center, an international nonprofit organization in Kitengela, Kenya, dedicated to housing and empowering women and children survivors of violence. In 2021, she received the “25 Under 25” award from the Washington Business Journal.
- Barbara Farnsworth Parker: A fearless leader in the nursing field for over half a century, Parker began her career as a public health nurse at the Columbus Health Department before finding her calling at LifeCare Alliance. She dedicated 30 years to providing exceptional nursing care, eventually volunteering at Holy Family Catholic Church to provide footcare to the homeless community in Columbus.
- Donald: As a former Delaware City Council member, Donald championed the resurgence of downtown Delaware, Ohio. He served on various commissions and spearheaded efforts to attract new multifamily developments, creating over 2,000 jobs and increasing real estate investment in the county. He led a campaign to provide a "hardship bonus" to Delaware County employees to ease the impact of COVID and inflation.
- Sugu Suguness: With a master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Capital University, Suguness has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his career. He spent 21 years at Prime, providing multidiscipline architectural services to clients such as the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Homeland Security, and NASA. Suguness also serves on the Master of Business Administration alumni committee at Capital, mentoring current MBA students.
Notable Alumni in Law and Politics
Capital University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the legal and political arenas. Several alumni have achieved prominence in these fields:
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- David Yost: The 51st Attorney General of Ohio, Yost previously served as Ohio State Auditor.
- Jennifer Brunner: An associate justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Brunner previously served as a judge on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals and as Ohio Secretary of State.
- Deborah Pryce: A former member of the United States House of Representatives for Ohio's 15th congressional district.
- Liz Harris: An American politician from Arizona and the Arizona RNC National Committeewoman.
- Matthew W. McFarland: A United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and former Judge of the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals.
- Jay Hottinger: A Republican member of the Ohio Senate for the 31st district and President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate.
- Ron Amstutz: The former state representative for the 1st District of the Ohio House of Representatives, former state senator for the 22nd District of the Ohio Senate, and former mayor of Orrville, Ohio.
Alumni in Academia and Other Fields
Capital University's influence extends beyond law and politics, with alumni making significant contributions to academia and other fields:
- Theodore E. Long: The former president of Elizabethtown College.
- Angela Renee Hight Walker: A physicist and project leader in the nanoscale spectroscopy group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- Eric Norelius: A Swedish-American Lutheran minister, church leader, and author.
Capital University's Enduring Impact
Capital University's alumni network is a testament to the university's commitment to providing a transformative education that prepares students for success in their chosen fields. These individuals have made a lasting impact on their communities and the world, embodying the values of leadership, service, and intellectual curiosity that are at the heart of the Capital University experience. The university's continued focus on fostering these qualities ensures that future generations of alumni will continue to make a positive difference in the world.
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