Ryan Ridener
The relationships formed throughout life can have a profound impact on your daily routine. For Ryan Ridener, the sudden loss of a former teammate caused him to want to speak up and make a long-lasting impact on his community.
In Fall 2022, Ridener attended Owens Community College to take pre-requisite classes. He also coached football at Oak Harbor and in mid-September, a player on the team suddenly died.
In the days following the player’s death, Ridener, while being a full-time student, decided it was time to take a stance and do what he could to help the player’s parents, friends and the team to heal. “I developed a ‘what can I do’ attitude,” he said. He then reached out to JD Bergman, an Oak Harbor graduate and former Team USA wrestler.
Bergman is a mental health advocate and Ridener knew the Oak Harbor alumnus could help get the word out about mental health and the battles some people face every day. The two began working together with Ridener doing much of the marketing and planning for the community event.
Less than a month after the player’s death, Bergman returned to his alma mater to address the community. “I knew one event would not change the deeper problem, but it was the first step of many toward healing. It created a ripple effect that started many conversations in our community,” said Ridener.
In May 2023, Ridener received a Student Life award from the College’s Board of Trustees. Susan Burris, professor of English, wrote in her nomination that while Ridener was her student, he earned high grades in class but it was his leadership and work ethic that impressed her the most.
Ridener is now enrolled at Bowling Green State University and is pursuing a construction management degree. “Coming to Owens gave me the opportunity to springboard my successes when I went to a four-year university. I felt much more prepared after taking classes at Owens,” he said.
Associate of Arts, General Arts Concentration >>
Published May 2023