Alumni recognized

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Ron Jaworski, former Youngstown State University and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and a football analyst with ESPN, will give the keynote address at the YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services’ Sixth Annual Alumni Recognition Dinner on Friday in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.

Jaworski, who graduated from YSU with a major in human performance and exercise science, is among eight alumni of the college who will be honored at the dinner, which starts at 6 p.m.

After a 17-year career as an NFL quarterback, Jaworski is an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,” “NFL Matchup,” NFL-branded specials, “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” “Pardon the Interruption” and other platforms and shows throughout the year.

He spent five seasons as the color commentator for “Monday Night Football.” He lives in southern New Jersey. His Jaws Youth Playbook program focuses on improving the overall health and wellness of at-risk youths, primarily in the greater Philadelphia region.

Jaworski owns a business-development company called Business Clubs America and owns four Signature Golf courses in South Jersey. He also serves as the president of the Maxwell Football Club, co-majority owner of the Philadelphia Soul and sits on the board of PNC Bank.

Other honorees:

Pat Billett earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from YSU in 1993, served in the Army in South Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and is the district administrator for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at the Northeast District office in Twinsburg.

Markus Douglas earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from YSU and works with the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic and Humility of Mary.

Lt. Anne Ralston earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from YSU in 1996, joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 1998 and is assistant district commander of the Cambridge District.

Donald Terpak earned an associate degree in respiratory therapy in 1979 and a bachelor’s degree in allied health in 1986 from YSU, joined the staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in 1980 and is director of respiratory, renal and transplant services.

Christine Snipes earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2005 and a doctor of physical therapy degree in 2008 from YSU, is a staff physical therapist at ValleyCare Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland and the 2015 committee chairwoman of the Ambassadors to End Stroke.

Wendy Thomas earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from YSU, is clinical nurse specialist at YSU’s Student Health Clinic, a nurse at the Mahoning Valley Birth Center and co-owner and lead trainer for Thomas Training Consultants, which offers training to local child-care and health-care professionals in CPR, first aid and child-abuse prevention.

Jim White is a registered dietitian nutritionist, spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a health fitness specialist, spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine and owner of a chain of fitness facilities called Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios.

Also receiving Dean’s Appreciation Awards at the dinner will be: Madeleine Haggerty, who earned a bachelor’s degree in education from YSU, went on to earn a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh, joined the YSU faculty in 1975, was appointed chairwoman of the Department of Allied Health in 1991 and then returned as program director of the Dr. Madeleine Haggerty Dental Hygiene Program, retiring from YSU in 2013; and Leonard Perry, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at YSU and was director of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety at YSU, retiring in 2004 after 33 years of service.