Wesley Nye, Class of 2023, local food systems coordinator, inspects data at the College's Academic Farm. He plans to be among the initial cohort of students in the new graduate program. WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 14, 2026)— Wilmington College is expanding its graduate program offerings to feature a Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership degree starting in fall 2026. This fully online program is designed to prepare its graduates to lead and innovate in today’s dynamic agricultural industries. Established with working professionals in mind, the program offers flexible online coursework with start terms in fall, spring, and summer, allowing students to progress at an accelerated pace to potentially finish after as few as three terms — or take one course at a time. The 31-credit curriculum emphasizes applied analysis, decisionmaking and leadership in the global food and agricultural system. President Corey Cockerill said Wilmington College does agriculture differently. “This program is built for how the industry actually works — preparing professionals to make decisions, lead teams, and navigate the complexity shaping today’s food and agricultural systems,’ she said. “The future will be shaped by leaders who understand both the science and the systems.” A hallmark of the program is its experiential learning component, in which students apply coursework in real-world, internship-style settings aligned with their career goals. Students’ research will benefit from access to Wilmington College’s nationally recognized 287-acre Academic Farm and associated facilities, reinforcing the College’s hands-on, career-ready approach to graduate education. Whether advancing one’s current career or preparing for leadership roles in agribusiness, agricultural marketing, or rural development, the College’s online Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership offers a practical, flexible path forward. The graduate program complements one of the College’s marquee areas. Indeed, agriculture at WC began nearly 80 years ago and has grown into the institution’s largest academic area, enrolling nearly a third of the main campus' undergraduate students. It is the third graduate program currently offered at WC, coming on the heels of the Master of Organizational Leadership and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy programs. Dr. Chad McKay, associate professor and agriculture program director, has been deeply involved in the emerging graduate program, from its concept through the approval process, which culminated this spring with the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council’s endorsement. “This program reflects a forward-looking commitment to developing professionals who can navigate the increasing complexity of modern agriculture, blending agricultural business with strategic leadership to meet industry demands,” McKay said. “It signals a clear investment in shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders while reinforcing Wilmington's role at the forefront of advancing agricultural education and workforce readiness.” Indeed, the graduate program is further proof that WC agriculture is growing with the needs of the agriculture industry, one that is facing what McKay describes as “a great balancing act.” He noted the industry is expected to feed a world population of 9 billion by 2025; manage environmental outcomes related to nutrient management, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration; and support rural communities and their socioeconomic development. “Reconciling these conflicting needs necessitates a transition to a smarter, more efficient agrifood system that is driven by new technologies and advanced research and analytics to increase overall food production, organize use of natural resources, minimize waste, and improve access to food,” he added. And that challenge requires a well-educated workforce. The 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey confirmed the desirability of leaders with advanced degrees. It noted that the average annual salary for professionals in agribusiness is some 40 percent higher for those with master’s degrees when compared with bachelor’s degrees. The program’s launch this fall anticipates involvement from a familiar demographic— WC’s agriculture alumni looking to invest in themselves and advance in their careers. Graduates will receive a discounted cost per credit hour. Wesley Nye, Class of 2023, local food systems coordinator, is one of them. “The flexibility of online learning with a focus on agricultural leadership and business piques my interest, as I want to deepen my understanding of stewardship in the industry and further support young ag students with their learning goals.” Elise Snarr, a 2025 graduate, also plans to enroll based on her positive undergraduate experience at the College. “I know the material has been crafted by educators who care and are invested in bettering the minds of students,” she added. More information is available on WC’s website at https://www.wilmington.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-agricultural-business-and-leadership . Article Submitted by Wilmington College

DeAndra Navratil "There's a lot of potential and existing things that are just really [great in Clinton County]... I'm just excited to get to understand [our local assets] more and get to be part of the growth and preservation," stated DeAndra Navratil, the new executive director of the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) as of January 2026. DeAndra, originally from North Dakota, has an extensive history in regional and city planning—including city planning for the City of Richmond, Indiana. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and her master's degree from Auburn University. She stated, "Basically at that point, [my husband and I] were kind of just looking for the next place to move to, and I told my husband he could pick wherever we went next, and he picked Ohio." Prior to this year, DeAndra worked for the Regional Planning & Coordinating Commission of Greene County (RPCC), where she served as the executive director for over six years. While there, she worked on a comprehensive master plan that included the county's rural and urban areas. During that time, she spoke about Greene County's master trails plan in Brussels, Belgium, at the International Society of City and Regional Planning's World Planning Congress. Initially, the previous CCRPC director, Taylor Stuckert, contacted DeAndra when he was leaving the role in 2023, but she was not ready to leave Green County. When the position opened again in 2025, she put in an application, stating, "I have a really strong interest in rural planning and city planning, and this just seemed like a really great position where you get to do both." According to DeAndra, her goal in her first year is to listen to those in the community. Learn more about the CCRPC at clintoncountyrpc.org .

The Wilmington City Planning Commission granted final site plan approval on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for a new 7 Brew Coffee location at the corner of Rombach Avenue and Lynne Lane. During the meeting, the commission reviewed traffic concerns raised by the city engineer regarding vehicle flow and congestion near the proposed site on Lynne Lane. Representatives from 7 Brew addressed those concerns and presented findings from their own traffic engineer, outlining planned measures to manage traffic safely and efficiently. Following discussion, the Planning Commission voted to move forward with final approval of the project. Founded in 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas, 7 Brew is a rapidly growing, drive-thru-only coffee chain with hundreds of locations across the United States. The company focuses on fast service, customer interaction, and highly customizable drinks, offering a wide range of options including coffee, energy drinks, teas, smoothies, and more.

Tony Butcher & Dustin Pearce Owner of Ole Town Tavern, Tony Butcher, joins the podcast to share his story of starting his own bar in Wilmington back in 2022. Tony was born and raised in Wilmington where he graduated from both Wilmington High School and Wilmington College before earning his Master’s Degree at Xavier. Prior to Ole Town, Tony worked at Airborne Express and then Technicolor. For years, Tony joked with his friends and family about one day starting a bar, and then when he purchased the building to rent out the apartment upstairs, the business tenant below relocated and he thought to himself, "If I'm ever going to do this, this is my time to try to get a bar going." When creating the space, Tony was inspired by small bars in New York with exposed brick and dim lighting. The name, 'Ole Town Tavern', was inspired by a bar in Florida called 'Old Town Tavern,' or 'Ott' for short, which was Tony's nickname growing up. Ole Town Tavern (OTT) serves beer, wine, and signature local cocktails. Patrons can order food delivered from Fiesta Veracruz Mexican Restaurant, and for $20 a year, even keep their own personalized pint glass on display behind the bar. Listen to episode 85 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'The Story of Ole Town Tavern' with with Tony Butcher, on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

Left to Right: Tom Daskalakis, Lisa Crachiolo, and Dustin Pearce Tom Daskalakis, President an COO of TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital, joins the podcast to share about the history of Clinton Memorial Hospital (CMH), details of TriHealth’s acquisition back in September of 2025, and the story of his over two decades of experience in health care leadership. Tom is committed to advancing Wilmington's local "hometown hospital" through staffing, facilities, and continued community involvement in initiatives like the Corn Festival, HoliDazzle Parade, and student programs. Listen to episode 84 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'TriHealth Acquires Former Clinton Memorial Hospital' with with Tom Daskalakis and Lisa Crachiolo, on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

WILMINGTON, Ohio (March 27, 2026)— The Wilmington College Music and Theatre Departments will join forces to present a musical cabaret titled “This Thing Called Love” on April 16 and 17, at 7:30 p.m., in Heiland Theatre, located in Boyd Cultural Arts Center. The cabaret will highlight the theatrical and musical talents of students involved in both programs by drawing from the Great American Songbook, featuring familiar pieces by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and others. Styled as a jazzy cabaret, the band will take the spotlight as vocalists perform the music and lyrics of some of our most cherished songs about falling in love and falling out of love — and everything in between.  “This Thing Called Love” will have scenic and lighting elements designed by senior Dalan Toups, and featured performances by Ollie Basta, Isaac Burns, Otto Cipollini, Bo Frye, Nate Fulton, Carlie McCoy, Fiona Powell, Ari Rudd, Emma Schnecker, Hannah Schroeder, and Devon Snyder. The band will consist of Noah Cook, Gabe Gilliland, and Bryson Hunt. Teddy Murphy and Nathan Sorn will contribute to both groups. Elaine Groves will serve as the production’s stage manager. Bryan Wallingford, assistant professor of music, will direct the show with music direction by Timothy Larrick and vocal coaching by Bekah Wall, assistant professor of communication arts. Evan Hatter, assistant professor of music and director of Quaker Thunder Bands, will conduct the music, with Becky Haines, theatre technician, providing sound design. The set will be constructed by students under the management of Linda Mead, while Jason Burgess, assistant professor of theatre, will provide lighting and design mentorship. The cabaret performances will be free of charge to college and community members. Doors will open 30 minutes before each performance, with festival seating and no reservations needed. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Heath is a loving companion, great for exploring and adventures. He is a one-year old, 47 pound terrier mix. Although he came from an unfortunate situation, he is ready to bring joy to his new home! Meet Heath and his friends by visiting pawshumane.weebly.com .

Nick McCabe (fourth from right) and chess students "It's really cool to see the growth and it's a very beautiful game and I think that the people need it... Because chess is the vessel of the greatest tool of community building that there ever was," stated Nick McCabe, owner and founder of the Wilmington Chess Collective. McCabe grew up locally and attended Wilmington City Schools. After attending Miami University, he felt called to return home and fix the "deficit" of chess in Wilmington's community. McCabe rediscovered his love for chess during the COVID pandemic and was inspired to bring it to others in Clinton County. The Wilmington Chess Club began in 2023 and was officially registered as company in 2025, with the goal of expanding chess in the community. The meetings feature officer reports, chess instruction, and then free play or small tournaments among members. In addition to regular meetings, the club also provides chess lessons and hosts club meetings at local organizations, including Wilmington City Schools, Wilmington Christian Academy, Sugartree Ministries, Clinton County Youth Council, and more. In the future, McCabe hopes to provide a chess club for Laurel Oaks students, as they have a "deficit of extracurriculars." Last year, the chess club's high school students competed in the Esports (electronic sports) League and nearly went undefeated, winning every match but one where they were disqualified. Membership to the club is completely free, excluding tournaments held outside of meetings, and individuals can join as young as five years old. According to McCabe, the club is very "youth-facing," made up of many young members. McCabe also offers private lessons in person or virtually to those interested. The Wilmington Chess Collective hosts tournaments each year, including the Sugartree Spring and Fall Classics. On February 27, 2026, the club hosted a 'Charter Day Tournament' in celebration of their one-year anniversary of becoming a registered business. The Charter Day Tournament was held at the Eagles and featured live music from DJ Marcus Harris. To learn more, join their group on Facebook: Wilmington Chess Club.

Tom Daskalakis "TriHealth has a very big reputation. They're known for patient experience scores, the quality that they provide, and just overall engagement of employees... And that was the perfect partner for us," stated Tom Daskalakis, CEO of TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital, previously Clinton Memorial Hospital. TriHealth, located at 610 W Main Street, chose the name 'Clinton Regional Hospital' to communicate their local community focus and also their expanded services to nearby regional areas like Washington Court House. Tom has been a hospital administrator for over 35 years, starting his career in the Dayton area and later moving to Detroit. He then worked at the University of Cincinnati hospitals before coming to Clinton Memorial Hospital, now TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital. The hospital was built in 1951 as a county hospital, and will celebrate its 75th anniversary this fall. According to Tom, in 2010 the hospital realized they had to partner with someone, so they sold to a for-profit company, and the county received the funds from the sale. Tom stated, "When you're talking about a company that owns you at a national level, they tend not to be really be in tune with the needs of the community." ScionHealth was the last owner of the hospital that sold the facility to TriHealth, a non-profit company, on September 1, 2025. Tom is excited about TriHealth's focus on employee satisfaction that he believes will in turn improve the service their patients. Since transitioning, TriHealth has updated utilities, added more physicians, and expanded offerings. In January, they invested $1 million in a "complete refresh" of the emergency department, and patients will also soon have access to diagnostics and results virtually. Currently, the hospital offers orthopedics, gastroenterology, general surgery, pain management, and labor and delivery. They will also soon offer interventional radiology and electrophysiology. Tom stated, "We're part of a much larger, respected healthcare system, so our training, our competency, our access to physician specialists, is only that much greater now that we're part of TriHealth." Listen to Tom's full story on episode 84 of The Real Change Wilmington Podcast. Learn more at trihealth.com .

Joseph Roetting, Jennifer Moody, and Sydney Murtland "I think a charter's the way to go... I'm not saying the Ohio Revised Code is wrong, but... it's a structure, it's a framework. But that framework and structure might not work for your city," stated Jennifer Moody, Mayor of Mt. Healthy, Ohio, at the February 10, 2026, Wilmington Charter Town Hall held at the Murphy Theatre. The meeting was led by Sydney Murtland, Director of Individual Giving at Wilmington College, and joined by Mayor Moody and Joseph Roetting, a Mt. Healthy city councilman. The two shared their backgrounds and how they got into politics, both stating that they were asked to run by local party officials. Moody and Roetting shared that Mt. Healthy voted to become a charter city in 2012 after its third attempt on the ballot. They pursued a charter because they were struggling to find qualified people in the city to fill certain positions, and they wanted to extend city council terms to four years. Roetting stated, "It seems like two years was like a blink of an eye." Moody added, "Our charter is not big and involved, but it was customized to what we felt we really needed at the time." Mt. Healthy's charter outlines a Council- Mayor-Administrator plan, with seven city council members, a council president, mayor, and city manager. The two shared that the city's finances are doing well and have received commendations from the state. One of their goals now is to revitalize their historic theater. When discussing "partisanship", Moody recommended nonpartisan elections, but encouraged residents to honor Wilmington's needs. In response to questions about "electing" versus "appointing" a law director, the two shared that Mt. Healthy hires a law firm and that it works well for them. Attendees of the town hall also shared that Wilmington currently lacks a building inspector. Moody shared that Mt. Healthy has a part-time building inspector who has "done great things in their downtown district." Finally, attendees shared frustrations over Wilmington's current system, to which Moody stated, "now's the time [for a charter]" and encouraged personalizing it for the city's needs. To learn more or watch previous meetings, visit wilmingtoncharter.com .

Eric Conroy at Republican Central Committee In the early months of 2026, many state and federal candidates visited Wilmington, gearing up for the May 5 Primary Election. In 2025, Ohio adopted new congressional districts due to previous maps expiring after two election cycles. Clinton County was previously represented by Congressman David Taylor in OH-2, but is now in OH-1 with Warren County and part of Hamilton County. Incumbent, Greg Landsman (D) will face one of two Republicans in the November 2026 General Election. On January 19, 2026, Eric Conroy, a Republican candidate for Ohio's First Congressional District (OH-1) visited Kairos Coffee and the Clinton County Republican Central Committee Meeting. Conroy grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and later served in both the military and CIA. Conroy hopes to continue his public service in OH-1 and to use his background to support further development at Wilmington Air Park. On January 30, 2026, Dr. Steven Erbeck, another Republican candidate for OH-1, visited Bob Evans and made several other stops. Erbeck grew up on a farm, even showing pigs in the Warren County Fair. He is the owner of a dental practice in Mason and father of a one-year-old. Erbeck shared that he "doesn't want to be a politician, [he] wants to be a representative" for those in OH-1. In addition to the numerous Republican candidates, Dr. Bryan Hambley (D), a candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, visited a Clinton County Democratic Party meeting to share his goal to "restore trust" in the government. Hambley, an oncologist at UC Health, shared that his top priority is to end gerrymandering and ensure a fair redistricting system in Ohio. To learn more about the May 5 Primary election, visit boe.ohio.gov/clinton/ .

Jenna Parlette Running Center Rendering WILMINGTON, Ohio (March 11, 2026)— Legendary Wilmington College Coach Jerry Scheve designated the construction of the Jenna Parlette Running Center as the centerpiece of his $23 million gift, much of which focuses on the pursuit of athletic excellence at WC. The new indoor track will take a step closer to becoming a reality on April 3, when the College hosts a public groundbreaking ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the area off Elm Street between Herman Court and Williams Stadium. Construction is scheduled to start this summer for the facility, which will be built between the stadium and the Center for Sport Sciences. Featured speakers at the ceremony include President Corey Cockerill; J. Brent Bill, chair, Board of Trustees; Ron Combs, head cross country and assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach; Matt Croci, director of athletics; and Jeff Parlette, the uncle of the facility’s namesake, the late Jenna Parlette. The groundbreaking activity is being held in conjunction with an outdoor track meet featuring the Quakers and six other schools, beginning at 3 p.m. at Beckett Track in Williams Stadium Jenna Parlette was a student-athlete at WC who tragically died after collapsing just short of winning a collegiate cross country race at Franklin College (IN) in 2013. For many years, the College has hoped to honor her memory by building a much- needed indoor track, an initiative Scheve quietly supported. Jenna’s mother, Lisa Parlette, who has worked tirelessly to garner support for what will now become part of her daughter’s legacy, was “shocked” when she learned last year that the running center would become a reality — and that Scheve’s generosity would make it happen. “I’m so grateful and humbled,” she said in citing Scheve’s foresight and magnanimous gesture. ”Words cannot fully express the depth of our joy and gratitude to Coach Scheve for making Jenna’s dream of an indoor track at WC a reality. His generosity will touch the lives of countless athletes, students, and community members for generations to come.” Ron Combs, Jenna Parlette’s track and cross country coach, said his excitement for the Jenna Parlette Running Center is hard to put into words. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in track and field and cross country, but excited for what we can do in the future with the running center,” he said. “Winter workouts, when there’s six inches of snow, we’ll be able to do the things we want to do, plus, we’ll be able to host indoor meets. This will make a huge impact on our programs and the College. I really want to make Jerry proud.” Scheve’s record $23 million gift has been described as “transformational” in positioning the institution for continued success in serving its students. Scheve was a highly respected accounting professor and championship women’s basketball coach who passed away in May 2025. He coached the Lady Quakers for 30 years before retiring in 2021. His 2004 team won the NCAA Division III national championship, the apex of his 518 career victories at WC. Article Submitted by Wilmington College