ALLIANCE – The University of Mount Union concluded a successful month of programming for Women’s History Month with a keynote address and awards presentation. 

Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Commissioner Sarah Otey offered the address, which highlighted the impacts of Title IX, the ways in which advocates have paved the way for today’s student athletes and inspiration for the future. As the first female commissioner of the OAC, Otey talked about her journey while educating the audience. 

Mentioning Mount Union graduates Angela Neal-Barnett ‘82, Carrie Coon ‘03, Toni Collins ‘07, and Suzy (Venet ‘98) Pietz for their contributions to Mount Union and their respective fields, Otey shared the ways in which women from Mount Union have been succeeding for years. 

“They all went on to very different types of careers, and I think that speaks to the value of genuine access to choices when it comes to education and opportunity,” Otey said.

Otey went on to mention other trailblazers and acknowledge the progress that has been made, though encouraging everyone to continue to advocate for access to equal opportunities.

“The generations that came before us have done the work on sex-based discrimination in education so that we have a better foundation,” Otey said.

Following her address, Mount Union recognized female student athletes for their contributions to their teams as leaders in their sport, advocates for their peers, and outstanding students. Athletes were nominated by their coaches and included, Corenna Maynard ‘22 (Basketball); Angela DeFabio ‘23 (Cross Country and Track); Maura Knox ‘22 (Golf); Andrea Decker ’23 and Madison Pepper ’23 (Soccer); Grace Heath ’23 and Hanna Ingram ‘22 (Softball); Callie Landry ‘22 (Swimming and Diving) and Emma Thornton ’24 (Tennis) and Maria Ellesin ‘22 (Volleyball).

Dr. Adelina Cooper, associate professor of media and chair of the Department of Visual Art and Media, presented the Jane Weston Chapman Awards recognizing students, Dallas Anderson ‘22 and Emily Shar ‘23, faculty member Dr. Xi Wang, assistant professor of civil engineering, and staff member Carla Sarratt, director of library services. 

The keynote address was the conclusion of Mount Union’s Women’s History Month programming coordinated by committee members Patience Bartunek, Michelle Gaffney, Abby (Honaker ’10) Schroeder, Casey Tonn ‘13, Siv Street ‘22, Ron Holden, Abby McElroy, Brittany Coy, Alysha Davis ‘19, Stacie Weimer and Gina Bowers. The committee is also offering events throughout April in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.