News Releases

Four Students Recognized for Achievements by Owens Board of Trustees

Allison Hepp, Candace Summerskill, Abby Vogt and Jeramy Hermiller

The Owens Community College Board of Trustees Student Life Committee recognized four students on Tuesday afternoon for outstanding achievements and involvement inside and outside of the classroom.

Jeramy Hermiller, a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) student, received the Exemplary Academic Achievement recognition. Candace Summerskill, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography student, received the Exceptional Student Leadership recognition. Allison Hepp, a Dental Hygiene student, received the Exceptional Student Life Involvement recognition. Abby Vogt, a Physical Therapist Assistant student, received the Exemplary Academics and Extraordinary Community Engagement recognition.

Hermiller, of Ottawa, was nominated by PTA instructor Chloe Arredondo. As a student and classmate, Hermiller found innovative ways to learn subject matter and shared those with his classmates, including making quizlets and purchasing additional resources. He also asked a professor if he could tour the cadaver lab at Ohio Northern University to aid in his studies.

Hermiller also volunteered his time to work with local children in grades 3-6, teaching them stretching and injury prevention.

“Jeramy’s exceptional dedication, proactive learning and commitment to community service make him an outstanding representative of the Physical Therapist Assistant program,” Arredondo wrote in her recommendation letter. “His actions not only exemplify the qualities of an ideal PTA but also demonstrate the positive impact that our students can have on the wider community.”

Summerskill, of Rossford, was nominated by Sonography chair Julie Posey for her leadership and student life involvement. Summerskill is the 2025 class representative for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography cohort and a student member of the College’s Sonography Advisory Committee. She was one of 10 students across to the country to be selected for the national Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Foundation Emerging Leaders program.

“Candace’s selection is a proud moment for Owens Community College,” Posey wrote in her recommendation letter. “Her involvement not only reflects her exceptional leadership potential, but also brings recognition to our institution. I am confident that Candace will make valuable contributions to our sonography program and positively impact the broader sonography community.”

Summerskill also organized volunteer opportunities for students to get involved with local organizations such as Food for Thought, Stroke Life Gala and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Hepp, of Tiffin, was nominated by Brittany Moore, adjunct instructor in Dental Hygiene. Hepp served as both the vice president and president of the Owens chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Under her leadership, the organization raised more than $4,500. She also organized a Smile Drive in October that raised more than 350 toothbrushes, 161 tubes of toothpaste and 150 flossers, donated to Lucas County Children’s Services for children in foster care.

Hepp also hosted 32 different oral hygiene presentations in the community. She volunteered at Tent City in Toledo, providing oral cancer screenings to homeless individuals. Hepp will also travel to the Ohio State House in Columbus with Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association members for Advocacy Day, where they will meet with legislators and state lawmakers.

“Allison is beyond deserving of this recognition for her exemplary didactic and clinical achievements along with her outstanding leadership and community outreach,” Moore said in her recommendation letter. “She has unwavering integrity and her contributions speak volumes.”

Vogt, of Shelby, was nominated by Sara Burke, director and chair of the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Vogt is a member of the Ohio Air National Guard, and Burke wrote that her “approach to learning reflects the structured problem solving and collaborative spirit honed in her military training. Abby brings a unique maturity and perspective to group projects and clinical reasoning exercises, effectively applying principles of teamwork and mission focus learned in the Guard to the complexities of patient care planning.”

Burke’s recommendation letter continued to say, “Abby’s service in the Ohio Air National Guard represents an outstanding example of extraordinary community engagement that extends far beyond typical volunteerism. While balancing coursework, labs, and clinical preparations, she dedicates significant time to drills, training and readiness, prepared to serve the citizens of Ohio and the United States whenever called upon.”

All four students recognized by the Board will graduate in spring 2025 with honors.