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Owens Grad, Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong Receives 2023 OACC Distinguished Alumnus Award

From left, OACC President/CEO Jack Hershey, Owens Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Blake Renner, Trustee Mary Beth Hammond, Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong ’04, Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Trustee Dee Talmage and Owens Chief Financial Officer Jeff Ganues

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) on Thursday named Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong as its annual Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. The 2004 Owens Community College graduate was honored during the OACC’s Annual Conference in Columbus.

Armstrong knew from the time she was a young girl she wanted to be a firefighter and was appointed to the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department in July 2000. She rose through the ranks and became Battalion Chief in September 2019. She was the first woman named Chief in the city’s history in 2022.

After earning her associate degree in nursing from Owens, she earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Mercy College and master’s in health information from the University of Cincinnati.

“Chief Armstrong is a leader in public service who is dedicated to the people on the front lines,” Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville wrote in her nomination letter for Chief Armstrong. “We at Owens Community College are proud of our distinguished alumnae and feel she is an exemplary role model of an Ohio community college graduate and public servant.”

The OACC Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented annually to a deserving alumnus from one of Ohio’s 23 community colleges who has demonstrated a passionate level of commitment to the local community and higher education.

Since first being presented in 1995, numerous individuals who embody the core principles of this award have been recognized for their ongoing efforts to advance the mission of community colleges. These recipients are very passionate about their work and give generously of both their time and resources.

Owens Board of Trustee member Mary Beth Hammond of Findlay was a finalist for the Maureen C. Grady Award for Special Achievement presented by the OACC. She has served on the Owens board since 2013, including stints as vice chair (2017-2019) and board chair (2020-2022).