Wilmington College has been so enriched with high-impact student leadership this year that an unprecedented three seniors were selected to receive the Robert E. Lucas Leadership Award at the culmination of Sunday’s (April 27) Student Honors Convocation and Senior Recognition Awards program.
The triad of Levi Hartschuh, Aubrey Schwartz and Shannon O’Boyle was recognized as graduating seniors who are respected by the entire College community, possess dynamic and optimistic personalities, and have made significant contributions to the campus.
Other Senior Recognition Awards from the Student Life area went to: Levi Hartschuh, Student Government Association (SGA) president, 2024-25, Service Appreciation for Student Body President Award; Lexi Ward, SGA Distinguished Service Award; Emily Lozano, The Karen Couch Residence Life Award; Logan Florea, Quaker Activities Council (QAC) Service Award; Maile Oswald, Excellence in Community Engagement Award; Elise Snarr, Quaker Leaders Scholars Distinction Award; and Garrett Simmons, Excellence in the Wilmington College Honors Program.
PICTURED ABOVE are, from the left, President Corey Cockerill, Aubrey Schwartz, Levi Hartschuh, Dean of Faculty J. Wynn Alexander, Shannon O'Boyle and Dean of Students Sigrid Solomon.
President Corey Cockerill shared each Lucas Award recipient’s background and supporting criteria, while Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs/dean of students, and J. Wynn Alexander, vice president for academic affairs/dean of faculty, assisted with the presentations.
Hartschuh, a double major in agricultural business and sports management, balanced “rigorous academics with an extraordinary level of involvement that included Aggies, Collegiate 4-H, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Judicial Board, and Swim Team.” This year, he served as the president of the Student Government Association and the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC).
His leadership extends beyond the campus. The Bucyrus resident is a member of the Wynford School Board, a trustee on the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Board of Trustees and the president of the OSBA Central Region, which represents 700 school boards across Ohio.
“Levi’s drive, service and commitment to his community are clear markers of a future filled with promise,” Cockerill said, noting he will be stepping into the role as a key accounts specialist with Kalmbach Feeds.
Schwartz has made her WC years “a true tapestry of leadership, service and adventure,” the president said. “Aubrey has embraced every opportunity to learn, lead and make a difference both inside and outside the classroom.”
The senior from Washington Court House studied agricultural education and her leadership has shone with Sigma Alpha sorority, Fraternity & Sorority Life Council, Aggies, Collegiate 4-H, Student Government Association, Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society and the Ag Ed Society. Her dedication to education exceeded well beyond campus boundaries, serving as both the Ohio FFA state secretary and later the president, which “speaks volumes about her commitment to empowering young people through agricultural leadership,” Cockerill added.
In addition, she has taken advantage of the College’s international education opportunities by traveling to seven foreign countries, while also participating in opportunities in Chicago and Washington, D.C. After graduation, she is pursuing a master’s degree while “continuing to inspire the next generation” as a teacher in a high school agriculture classroom.
O’Boyle was cited for the “extraordinary impact” she has made at WC, combining academic excellence, leadership and a deep commitment to community service. With a major in psychology and a minor in exercise science, she has “left her mark across campus through a wide range of leadership roles,” Cockerill said.
The Wilmington resident has served as president of Amnesty International, vice president of the Student Government Association, student co-director of Orientation, chair of the SAAC Wespys Committee, a Writing Center assistant, an academic tutor, an active member of the Honors Program and a proud member of the Women’s Swimming Team.
“But her influence extends well beyond the campus gates,” Cockerill noted. “Shannon has dedicated herself to important community causes, serving as a board member for the Clinton County Coalition on Homelessness and working as a provider with the Clinton County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Her passion for advocacy and service also led her to experiences such as a Clinton County Fellow, an internship at the Clinton County Homeless Shelter and multiple lobbying trips with the Friends Committee on National Legislation.”
She added that O’Boyle’s “next chapter will be just as ambitious and impactful.” Following graduation, she will attend Cleveland State University to pursue her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.
Logan Florea receives praise for his leadership of the Quaker Activities Council from Chip Murdock, senior director of diversity and student programming. Logan received the Quaker Activities Council (QAC) Service Award.