News Releases

Owens Community College Alumni Association Awards First-Ever Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship

Benjamin Cousino

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College student Benjamin Cousino of Holland has been chosen by the Alumni Association to receive a $500 Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship for the upcoming 2008-09 academic year.

Established in 2007, the endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Detective Keith Dressel of the Toledo Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section Special Enforcement Division and his service to the community. The scholarship is given annually to an Owens student at the Outstanding Service Awards who has the courage to become a police officer and embodies the passion, conviction and perseverance demonstrated by Detective Dressel during his career.

“The Owens Community College Alumni Association is proud to honor Detective Keith Dressel and his dedication to public service by supporting the next generation of law enforcement officers,” said Laura Moore, Executive Director of the Owens Alumni Association. “Both Detective Dressel and his wife, Danielle, attended Owens Community College and are part of the alumni family. Benjamin Cousino is a very deserving recipient of the inaugural scholarship and the Alumni Association is pleased to recognize his passion and commitment to the law enforcement profession.”

Additional selection criteria for the scholarship is based upon recipients being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Owens per semester, holding second-year student status and achieving at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Preference is given to students with aspirations of a law enforcement career.

Cousino is pursuing his associate’s degree in criminal justice and aspires to work in law enforcement as a police officer for the Toledo Police Department. The 2006 Central Catholic High School graduate is captain of the Toledo Police Explorers Post 2028 where he has gained hands-on experience in learning about the basic tasks of the police officer. Cousino’s commitment to serving his community is further evidenced through his volunteerism with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The son of a police officer, Cousino plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Toledo after graduating from Owens. He holds a 3.25 grade point average.

In February 2007, Detective Dressel was fatally wounded in the line of duty. He provided public service to the Toledo Police Department and the citizens of Toledo for 14 years. Detective Dressel left behind his wife, Danielle, and two children, Sydney and Noah, along with a very large extended family.

Since opening its doors in 1965, Owens has provided higher education to more than 250,000 students. Owens’ Alumni Association is committed to the personal and professional success of alumni and students through the ongoing development of value-added initiatives.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.