Findlay, Ohio, Nov. 26, 2003 – Maggie (Sites) Gearing of Van Buren knows as well as anyone that making it through college has its challenges and triumphs.

In the time since she enrolled at The University of Findlay, Gearing has experienced pregnancy and the birth of a child, marriage and the deployment of her husband to the war in Iraq. However, she persevered and will receive her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at The University of Findlay’s fall commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. in the Ralph and Gladys Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex.

Gearing is one of 387 graduates from UF this fall. A total of 181 graduate degrees will be awarded. These include 82 master of business administration degrees, 60 master of arts in education degrees, 20 master of science in environmental, safety and health management degrees, 15 master of TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and bilingual education degrees and four master of arts in liberal studies degrees.

A total of 206 undergraduate degrees will be conferred, including 117 bachelor of science degrees, 22 bachelor of arts degrees, 33 bachelor of science in business management degrees, seven bachelor of science in environmental management degrees, three bachelor of science in criminal justice degrees and 24 associate of arts degrees.

Jerry J. Mallett, Ed.D., director of the Mazza Museum and professor of education at The University of Findlay, will be the speaker for the ceremony.

In addition, the Honorable John P. Stozich, mayor of the City of Findlay, will receive an honorary doctor of public administration degree.

Jerry J. Mallett, Ed.D., is director of the Mazza Museum and professor of education at The University of Findlay.

With the University since 1968, Mallett began his career as an elementary and junior high teacher and then elementary school principal at Washington Local Schools.

Mallett earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1961 and his master and doctorate of education degrees from the University of Toledo in 1963 and 1972, respectively.

The author of 54 books, half of which are children’s books and half of which are professional books for teachers and librarians, Mallett was instrumental in starting the Mazza Museum, the largest teaching gallery in the world specializing in the art of children’s picture books, at UF campus in 1982. Since its inception with four pieces of art, the museum’s collection has grown to include more than 2,300 artworks.

Mallett has been honored numerous times for his work. Elected to Phi Delta Kappa in 1966, he received the Distinguished Education Award of 1983 from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Independent Colleges and Universities Award for Outstanding Teacher of 1997, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Toledo in 2001 and the 2003 National Leadership Award as honorary chairman of the Business Advisory Council. The award was presented by Minority Leader Tom DeLay. Mallett was also elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1993.

Some of Mallett’s books include Good Old Ernie, Fold & Cut Stories, Elevator, Book’s Bunch and School Library Resource Kit.

John P. Stozich has held the position of mayor of the City of Findlay since 1996.

Stozich’s career began as a teacher and coach at Steubenville Catholic Central School from 1950-57, at Uhrichsville High School from 1957-64 and at Findlay High School from 1964-81. While at Findlay, he also served as assistant principal for eight years.

After retiring from teaching, Stozich took up the life of a public servant, serving four consecutive terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was serving a fifth term in the Ohio House in 1991 when he was asked by the newly-elected Governor George Voinovich to be director of the Ohio Department of Industrial Relations, a position he held until 1995.

Stozich holds memberships in numerous organizations and has served as honorary chairman for the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon and the Lupus Walk-A-Thon.

As a high school coach, Stozich was active in numerous state-level athletic associations. He spent 10 years on the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors and has been inducted into that organization’s Hall of Fame. He was named Eastern District Coach of the Year in 1964, Northwest District Coach of the Year in 1971-73 and Buckeye Conference Coach of the Year in 1971, 1972 and 1975.

Stozich was honored with the Flag City Community Service Award in 2000 and named the Kiwanis Citizen of the Year in 1996-97. He was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and the Hancock County Sports Hall of Fame. In 1983-84 and 1985, he received the Watchdog of the Treasury Award.