Kent State University at Ashtabula Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Susan J. Stocker, Ph.D., received quite the parting gift during her final commencement Friday, May 13, 2022 at SPIRE when James E. Mayer, Jr., the 2022 Ashtabula Area College Committee, Inc. Community Service Award recipient and president of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County surprised her with Growth Partnership’s Bey Blanchard President’s Award.
The award is presented at the discretion of the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County leadership for significant and distinguished contributions to Ashtabula County.
“The infectious way she gets excited about this community is a driving force for me and so many others,” Mayer said. “Her passion and vision are unstoppable. She doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’ or the phrase ‘we can’t do that here.’ Our community appreciates all her efforts and recognizes her impact on our county.”
Mayer and Growth Partnership exectutive director Greg Myers presented the award to Stocker on campus Thursday, May 19.
The President’s Award was last presented in 2018. Stocker, a past president of Growth Partnership, also received the award in 2007. She is retiring June 30 after over 30 years of service to Kent State Ashtabula, including the last 21 as dean.