President's Blog

A Personal Message as I Start My Tenure

It is my distinct pleasure to mark this first week at Owens Community College with the first of what I anticipate will be many entries into the President’s Blog.

My goal is simple: To share my perspective and a shared vision for Owens, as well as the progress we are marking toward that vision.

But first, a heartfelt thank you to the Owens Board of Trustees for selecting me as the eighth president of this remarkable institution, and also to the members of the college community who have gone out of their way to make me feel so welcome. Thanks also to interim president Dr. Balzer for his willingness to aid in a smooth presidential transition.

I would be remiss not to also mention my gratitude to the students, faculty and staff for working so diligently throughout the challenges of this past year. Although I was not yet on this campus, as a 27-year veteran of higher education, I am certain you confronted some of the same demands to adapt and develop resilience as the rest of us did. I applaud Owens’ students for their commitment during trying times, and to the faculty and staff who helped them get through.

Even as the immediate threats of the pandemic subside, we must practice due diligence and take care of one another. Campus life is slowly becoming more vibrant. Let’s now look hopefully toward the future, bringing the many lessons we learned forward. I will be looking for creative ways to connect with you and welcome your input. If you’d like, you may choose to follow me on the official President’s Twitter account; my handle is @OwensPresident.

For me, coming to Owens is like a return home. I have so many fond memories of my time in northwestern Ohio as an undergrad at Ohio Northern University, as a grad student at Bowling Green State University, and during my assistantship at the University of Findlay.

I’m excited to engage with you in the weeks and months ahead as I listen, learn and acclimate to new surroundings. During this time of transition, I ask for your patience and encourage your feedback. Finally, I am delighted to partner with you as we help create the future our students envision for themselves and live up to our promise: Your Success Starts Here at Owens Community College.

Dione D. Somerville, Ed.D.
President