COTC Legends of Loyalty

As the facilities superintendent and a COTC employee for over 26 years, Boehmer is responsible for the physical facilities, including all plant operations, maintenance, custodial, and safety and security operations, on the 200-acre shared campus of COTC and The Ohio State University at Newark as well as COTC’s three extended campuses. His leadership has played a critical role in the ongoing growth and success of the two institutions. He oversaw the planning and construction of the John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology as well as the renovations of Adena Hall, Louella Hodges Reese Hall and COTC’s Pataskala Campus. He also ensures the safety of students, faculty and staff during weather events. Boehmer is respected by faculty and staff, both on the Newark campus and COTC’s extended campuses.

Comisford has spent his entire professional career, spanning 30 years, teaching engineering technology at COTC. He started working at the college in 1992 as an adjunct instructor teaching Landscape Design and Drafting and Introductory and Advanced Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD). He transitioned to a full-time faculty member in 1995. Today, his course load includes Introduction to Engineering, Computer Applications for Engineering, Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD and Engineering Tech Cooperative. He helped coordinate the high school egg drop competition, helped obtain international accreditation for COTC’s engineering technology programs, and assisted with the major renovation of the engineering technology program to strategically move COTC away from specialized engineering programs based on the recommendation of area industries to better align the academic programming with local workforce needs.

The Licking County Chamber of Commerce has been and continues to be an exceptional partner to COTC, from assisting with the Newark campus cost-shared agreement to aiding in establishing the college’s official charter. Special thanks during this process can be given to C. Allen Milliken, the former executive vice president of the Newark Area Chamber of Commerce. Their small but mighty team — led by COTC alumna Jennifer McDonald — is instrumental in connecting local businesses and generating valuable collaborations. McDonald and her team tout COTC as an excellent provider of technical education to companies looking to locate in our area and train their workforce. The Licking County Chamber of Commerce has been a stellar partner to COTC over the past five decades.

MacDonald served as dean and director of The Ohio State University at Newark for 20 years, overseeing all academic, administrative and business processes to ensure a consistent, healthy and ethical work culture where everyone could achieve their full potential. For two decades, he served as an extraordinary advocate of Ohio State Newark and COTC’s special cost-shared partnership, upholding the expectation set forth by the Newark campus’s founding fathers that both schools share resources to meet the educational needs of residents and ensure the continued growth and development of the shared campus. MacDonald consistently demonstrated his commitment to the institutions’ unique partnership through significant capital projects, including the recent $27.6 million renovation of Louella Hodges Reese Hall. His commitment to racial equity and social justice is commendable, as is his promotion of a holistic approach to student success that focuses on students’ academic and personal needs.

Tomlinson served as the assistant to the president for the past 21 years, retiring at the end of August. She provided comprehensive support to COTC’s president, serving as a liaison to the Board of Trustees, the Cabinet, and all internal and external constituencies for matters pertaining to the Office of the President. Her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts greatly contributed to the success and growth of the college. Her meticulous attention to detail, exceptional organizational skills and professionalism enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. Her service to the Board of Trustees was particularly noteworthy, where her management of board-related matters was nothing short of exemplary. Beyond her professional contributions, her positive attitude, kindness and genuine care for the well-being of the college community have left an indelible mark on all who have had the pleasure of working with her. Her dedication extended beyond her professional responsibilities, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone at COTC. 

Buchanan, a COTC alumna and Navy veteran, currently serves as a faculty member in the business management technology program where she provides instruction in business, software applications, marketing, communication, workplace skills, customer service, team building and field experiences. She has 25 years of service to the college and has been nominated every year for the COTC Teaching Excellence Award. She is also a past recipient of the COTC Transitions Alumni Award, which recognizes COTC alumni currently working at the college in either a faculty or staff capacity who help advance the college and make a difference in the lives of current students.

During his 26 years working for both COTC and The Ohio State University at Newark, Brillhart has overseen the fiscal health of both institutions. He is responsible for all business and finance functions including organizing, planning and administering campus budgets, policies and procedures relative to purchasing, payroll, student financial services, business affairs, accounting and facilities. His research, development and implementation of the COTC Promise tuition-guarantee programs in both Coshocton and Knox counties have changed the lives of hundreds of underserved students.

A 1996 graduate of COTC’s business management technology program, Taylor has 26 years of service to COTC and Ohio State Newark. As the program manager of multicultural affairs, she has developed relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate and grow educational and awareness opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members. Programs like the annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference and Diversity Through Artistry have garnered her state-wide and national recognition. She received the COTC Transitions Alumni Award and the President’s and Dean/Director’s Diversity Award in 2022.

Greenstein served as the second president of COTC from 1980 to 1994. During his 14-year tenure, he increased enrollment; added eight new academic programs; secured financial grants to improve student service offerings; oversaw the construction of LeFevre Hall and the south addition of Hopewell Hall; and built the modern infrastructure for traffic control, parking and pedestrian access. He also worked diligently to ensure that COTC had its own identity and was identified by campus constituencies and the community at large as an equal partner in its relationship with Ohio State. 

The Licking County Foundation’s relationship with the Newark campus dates back to the mid-1960s when it served as the fiscal agent for the community-wide fundraising campaign led by J. Gilbert Reese to construct Founders Hall. Over the years, it has contributed several million dollars to COTC and Ohio State Newark to support student scholarships, capital projects, student success initiatives and event sponsorships. In 2022, the foundation made its largest contribution to COTC and Ohio State Newark to support the renovation of Founders Hall.

During her 31 years working for both COTC and The Ohio State University at Newark, Marie Dacus touched the lives of countless individuals, making an extra effort to get to know staff and students by name. She was known for always offering a congenial Southern greeting as she stuffed campus mailboxes. “Her kindness, humility and faith provided a moment of calm respite during otherwise stressful workdays. Although she’s retired, she’ll never be forgotten because we remember how she made us feel,” said Jacqueline Parrill, EdD, COTC’s vice president and chief of staff.

After graduating from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Clarissa Ann Howard began a nursing career at Licking Memorial Hospital that spanned four decades. In the early 1970s, she played a key role in the development of COTC’s nursing program because she wanted to ensure a steady pipeline of registered nurses to meet the workforce needs of the hospital. In 1990, she was honored with the Licking Memorial Health Systems’ President’s Award for outstanding service to the hospital and the community. Demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the nursing profession and the education of future nurses, she has designated a significant portion of her estate to fund a nursing scholarship at COTC, ensuring nursing education will thrive in the future.

When the Newark community embarked on a fundraising campaign in 1966 to establish a permanent site for Ohio State’s Newark campus (which would later become the shared Ohio State Newark/COTC campus), Park National Bank’s corporate gift was the largest single donation to the campaign. Since that time, the organization’s leaders have served on COTC’s Board of Trustees and a variety of other campus committees. Since the Newark Campus Development Fund’s creation in the mid-1980s, nearly a dozen Park National Bank presidents, executives and directors have supported the college by serving on the NCDF’s Board of Trustees. In addition to its support of capital projects, including the Everett D. Reese Carillon, the John Gilbert Reese Center and the John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology, Park National Bank and its associates have established two separate endowed scholarships in honor of its past presidents.

As the director of student financial services for both COTC and Ohio State Newark, Faith Phillips has made it possible for thousands of students to overcome financial barriers to degree completion. During her 25-year tenure, she has built a team that is student-focused and committed to outstanding service, all while maintaining a track record of excellent compliance and audit requirements. Phillips has had a pivotal role in administering scholarships for the college, including the creation of the Coshocton and Knox Promise initiatives. She is active in the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA), including as president, treasurer and co-chair of many committees. In 2021, she was presented with the Alex Murdoch Service Award by her peers in the OASFAA for “putting her whole heart and soul into her community and the association.”

Marilyn C. Tritt became a COTC nursing instructor in 1972 and joined the college’s administrative team as chair and instructor in the division of health technologies in 1974. In 1980, she became chair of the division of general studies, and in 1985, was promoted to dean of academic affairs. In 1990, when the Premier Scholarship was created by COTC faculty and staff, Tritt was a charter member. Upon her retirement in 1994, the COTC Board of Trustees appointed her senior administrator emeritus. When she passed away in 1995, her family and friends endowed a scholarship in her memory to benefit full-time students in health sciences technology with demonstrated academic success and financial need. In 2016, her husband, Donald G. Tritt, PhD, added a very generous charitable bequest to the fund.

Doug Warthen began his COTC career in 1988 as an accountant in the Office of Fees and Deposits. Through the years he took on various roles and promotions leading up to his appointment as assistant director of facilities in 2012, where he continues to serve. During his 32-year tenure, he has continually put the needs of the college and its constituents first, making an extra effort to complete a project, address an issue or deal with any emergency that might arise. With his responsibility for overseeing the space needs for campus events, he has established outstanding relationships with customers and clients, both internal and external. His devotion to COTC, his many contributions and years of service, combined with his quick smile and light-hearted sense of humor, have earned him the respect and admiration of the campus community.

Responsible for the physical facilities of the college for more than 30 years, Newark resident James Woolard’s tenure at COTC includes the construction of most of the buildings on the Newark campus as well as three COTC extended campuses. An accomplished author, Woolard was an integral part of the team that recently wrote the COTC history book entitled, “Celebrating the Journey”.

Serving the students of COTC for 30 years, Newark resident Linda Reynard has worked in the offices of Admissions, Advising, and the Gateway, the one-stop center for student services. Adapting to the growth of the college and the changing needs of the students, Reynard has been steadfast in her commitment to customer service and instrumental in furthering the mission of the institution.