Malone Alumni News

  Congratulations to Jake '20 & Brooke '21 Martell on the arrival of their baby boy, Luca! Luca came into the world on February 13 weighing 9 lbs., 2.6 oz. & was 21.5 in. long! We send our prayers for lots of sleep and energy as the family adjusts to this exciting new stage of life!

  Congratulations to Liza '16 & Aaron Jackson on the arrival of their baby boy, Finn! Finn entered the world on January 31, and was 8 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Sending our prayers for lots of sleep as the family adjusts to this new chapter of life!

  Congratulations to Bob Umholtz '79 on his recent retirement as Geauga County's chief public defender. This role was never something Bob thought of doing. Bob served as a Chinese linguist in the U.S. Air Force, and then came to Malone after leaving the military, where he graduated with a degree in Social Science with a concentration in Far Eastern studies. After getting summer job shoeing horses for a federal judge during his time in college, Bob was encouraged to go to law school. Bob met his wife at law school, and discovered his calling through public defense. Bob placed tremendous value in impacting those he represented in court. To Bob, public defense is about representing people, not excusing crimes, and that understanding a client’s life story changes how justice is viewed. Bob hopes that his career is a reflection of his faith and compassion. What started as encouragement from shoeing horses turned into a tremendous career spanning almost 4 decades that was marked by ...

  Anita Pittenger '77, age 71, passed away suddenly on February 20. Anita graduated from Malone with her Bachelor's degree in Art. Malone is also where she met her husband, Rick. Anita was deeply committed to her faith & Salem First Friends Church, where she taught classes and helped to assemble the church's history. Anita is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Rick, her daughter, Julia, her 3 siblings, her father, and several nieces and nephews. We send our prayers and condolences to the family of Anita during this difficult time, and pray the strength of the Lord would surround the family. To read the fill obituary, click here .

  Dennis Ford '83, age 77, passed away on February 16th. Dennis graduated from Malone with his Bachelor's degree in Allied Health - Radiological Science. Dennis was a military veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. After his service, he became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and spend his career in this field. Dennis was a nature lover, who loved spending time outdoors, reading, and with his family. Dennis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his 2 children, and 3 granddaughters. We send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Dennis during this time, and pray that they would experience the peace & comfort of the Lord. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Congratulations to Charity Rysak '19 on her recent appointment from Gov. Mike DeWine to be the state commissioner for the New African Immigrants Commission. Charity began her term on December 19th of 2025, and will serve until at least 2028 in this capacity. Charity is originally from Angola, Africa, and she moved to the Canton area almost a decade ago, obtaining her U.S. citizenship in 2022. Charity spent part of her childhood as a refugee in Zambia due to the civil war that was taking place in Angola. Charity is also a licensed realtor and a substitute teacher. In Charity's new role, she will be advocating for community integration, access to services, and elevating African immigrant voices in policy discussions. Rysak’s long-term goal is executive leadership, where she can shape statewide policy, build sustainable partnerships, and lead community-centered initiatives. Since her time at Malone, she has been heavily involved in civic engagement in Stark County, and her dete...

  Abigail Bontrager '25 has been building very strong connections throughout Northeast Ohio as she pursues a symphony position as a cellist. She plays for the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and with Azure Strings, a chamber group that plays at weddings and other special events. Abigail grew up playing chamber music with her mother, who is a freelance violinist in the Stark County area for many years, and her two siblings. Abigail has played the cello since she was 3 years old, and this training and expertise has given her amazing opportunities. Abigail graduated from Malone with a double major in cello performance and business administration. Abigail was also able to spend her last semester abroad in Austria, learning both musically and academically. Her favorite pieces of music to play are Tchaikovsky's No. 5 & ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) pieces with her tribute band. She is currently planning to audition for symphony positions while contin...

  Congratulations to Jonathan '20 and Haleigh '20 Dendinger on the birth of their baby girl, Rosie Malone! She came into the world on Super Bowl Sunday (February 8th), weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz, and was 19 inches long. Sending our happiness and prayers to the family as they adjust to this new chapter of life! We are so excited for them.

  Judith Cohodas '99, age 81, passed away on February 5. Judith obtained her Bachelor's degree in management (MMP) from Malone. Judith is survived by her 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 nephews. We send our prayers to the family of Judith during this difficult time, and pray the peace of the Lord would surround them. To read her obituary, click here .

 The 2025 Lake Township Chamber of Commerce award winners were recently announced, and 3 winners for this year are Malone alumni! They are: Kristina Kindler '93 '02 - Educator of the Year Kristina is a double graduate of Malone, and has spent 3 decades teaching at schools in Stark County, including Heritage Christian School and Lake Center Christian. Kristina's classroom is marked by creativity and growth through several supportive strategies she incorporates for her students. She is deeply committed to her faith, and blends her faith into her teaching at Lake Center. Known for her joyful spirit and dedication, she exemplifies the mission of Christian education both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations to Kristina on this amazing honor! You can read the full writeup for Kristina  here . Christian Ramsburg '12 - Outstanding Young Professional of the Year Christian graduated from Malone and went on to work for major shale formations in the gas & oil indus...

  Congratulations to Judge Elizabeth Thomakos '11 on her recent retirement from the Court of Common Pleas in Tuscarawas County. Elizabeth was elected as a judge in 1998, and hasn't looked back since. She attended Stephens College in Missouri, but her life changed and she decided to pursue law school after hearing a speaker she was covering as a communications and journalism major.  Thomakos launched key initiatives during her time on the bench, including a civil mediation program and a Drug Court aimed at rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses. She then came to Malone to obtain her degree in Christian Ministries to develop a deeper sense of understanding for the people she was interacting with in court, and to make her a more compassionate judge. In her retirement, Thomakos hopes to be more involved in productions with the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, where she is so stranger to the stage. Congratulations to Elizabeth on this new chapter of life, we wish you all t...

Meet Christina Kimbrough ‘11, founder of Free Life and a community organizer committed to providing authentic connections – without alcohol. Her Malone experience was integral in making it happen.  Christina had a mixed relationship with alcohol after graduating from Malone, where her habit of social drinking eventually took up more and more space in her life. Right before the pandemic in 2020, Christina realized she needed a change. Stepping back from her life in Florida, Christina came back to Northeast Ohio to live with her grandmother for a few months.  “The pandemic was great for me,” she remembers. “It removed social situations where I would have been drinking and gave me time to heal.”  Upon returning to her home and husband, Christina realized that the social and community-building opportunities in her area often centered around alcohol. She joined a Facebook group of individuals who wanted to gather together without the pressure to drink, and they started organiz...

  Dr. Millard Niver, Ph.D., age 91, passed away on December 21, 2025. Dr. Niver was a long-time math and computer science professor at Malone. Dr. Niver deeply impacted the lives of his students, and the Malone community mourns his loss. In his free time outside of teaching, Dr. Niver enjoyed woodworking, nature, and golfing.  Dr. Niver is survived by his wife of 70 years, Thelma, his 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service held for Dr. Niver on February 21 at the First Presbyterian Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio at 10 am. We send our prayers to the family of Dr. Niver during this time. To read his full obituary, click here .

Jodi Tyler '15, age 53, passed away on January 17. Jodi graduated from Malone with her Bachelors degree in Project Management. She had a very successful career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company. Jodi enjoyed spending time with family and being a cat mom in her free time.  Jodi is survived by her mother, 2 siblings, and 5 nieces. We send our prayers to the family of Jodi during this difficult time, and pray the Lord would provide peace to her family. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Richard Bowen '02, age 57, passed away on January 22. Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Malone (MMP), during which he was in the middle of a career spanning more than three decades working for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction in various capacities. Rick had & maintained a deep love and passion for the outdoors. Rick took pride in the hunting camp he had built near Wayne National Forest, as this was another way he could spend time in nature. Rick is survived by his wife, Vicki, his parents, his two children and two stepchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Rick during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Congratulations to coach Selana Ickes '15 on becoming the all-time wins leader for the Malone women's basketball program. Coach Ickes achieved career victory #131 on Saturday, January 17th against Thomas More. Coach Ickes is very familiar with the Pioneers basketball program, as she was a former player herself. Coach Ickes took over as the head coach in 2018, and hasn't looked back.  The Pioneers have experienced major success under Coach Ickes, even making an appearance in the Division II national tournament in 2023. Coach Ickes understands their is more ahead for the Pioneers this season, as they are firmly in the mix in the GMAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference). Congratulations to Coach Ickes on the tremendous success she continues to experience at the helm of the program! To read the full article on Selana, click here .

  William Ertle *65, age 79, passed away on January 19. William was born and raised in Massillon, where he developed a passion for the Massillon Tigers football team. William later went on to have a successful career working in IT for Republic Steel and at FirstEnergy. In his free time, William also enjoyed golfing with his friends and spending time in Canada. William is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Cindy, as well as his 2 children and 5 grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of William during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Megan Zahorec-Deierling '22 wanted to make a difference for students and their families. So, she decided to become a school & professional counselor. Megan works with children ranging from ages 8-11 to provide lessons in different capacities, from classroom sessions to individual counseling. These lessons are geared towards social skills & coping strategies. These sessions and children provide new situations and challenges to Megan, which she enjoys. Megan also is a huge animal lover, owning dogs, a cat, and guinea pigs. Her German Shepherd, Chase, serves as a therapy dog and goes with Megan to school to help students. She also helps to lead the "Start With Hello" program, which focuses on kindness and inclusion across the North Canton school district, from students to staff. From cultivating meaningful relationships with her students, to promoting kindness and a welcoming atmosphere, Megan Zahorec-Deierling is making a tremendous impact in her field. Congratula...

  Albert "Mike" Goff '66, age 83, passed away on January 19. Mike graduated from Malone in 1966 with his Bachelor's degree in Biology, and subsequently furthered his education at Purdue University and The Ohio State University. After completing his Ph. D., Jeff went on to have a career spanning almost 4 decades as a biology professor, most notably at Indiana Wesleyan University. Mike had a deep love for the outdoors, and had an unwavering faith in the Lord. Mike is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Carolyn, his 2 sons, Jeff and Scott, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Mike during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Carol Williams '67, age 80, passed away on January 9, after a decade-long fight with dementia. Carol graduated from Malone with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, but she found her calling within Christian Education. Carol served as the Christian Education Director for 2 prominent Friends churches in the area, Canton First Friends & Jackson Friends. She also served with the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region during her career. Carol had a deep and strong faith in the Lord, and she impacted so many people through her faith. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. John Williams Jr., 6 children, and 8 grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Carol during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here . 

Malone Spring Speaker Series 2026 Join us this spring for an exciting lineup of nationally recognized leaders, scholars, authors, and practitioners who will be coming to campus this semester. They’re experts on timely topics and eager to engage with us in thoughtful dialogue about relevant issues shaping faith, leadership, culture, and society. These events will include keynote addresses, lectures, Community Worship services, Q&A sessions, book signings, and special events designed to encourage reflection and meaningful conversation. Topics will include immigration, adaptive leadership, women in ministry, sexuality and faith, virtue and character, education, family and marriage, and spiritual formation. Details for each speaker’s appearance are available at  www.malone.edu/news , and reminders for each speaker will be shared in our monthly newsletter as well as on social media channels. Any recordings will be added to this blog post as they become available.  For your ease...

  Congratulations to Antonio Turner '15 on recently being named as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the University of South Florida's football program. Antonio will follow Canton native and former GlenOak standout Brian Hartline to Tampa. Antonio graduated from Malone with a degree in  kinesiology and exercise science, and was also a member of the football program during college.  Antonio was most recently the associate director of strength and conditioning at Ohio State, working under legendary coach Mickey Marotti. Turner had several other stops since graduating from Malone, such as Mississippi State, Iowa State, and Ole Miss. Congratulations to Antonio on this amazing opportunity, and we wish you all the best!

  Janet Bryant '96, age 81, passed away on January 8th. Janet received her Bachelor's degree from Malone in nursing, and she then went on to have a career spanning over 4 decades in this field. Janet was also a quilting enthusiast in her free time. Janet is survived by her husband of 6 decades, Dave, her children, 9 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. We send our prayers to the family of Janet during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Gerald Evans '73, age 77, passed away on December 30, 2025. Gerald graduated from Malone with a degree in English, and had a career spanning almost 4 decades working for Field Local Schools, as well as serving in the National Guard. Gerald is survived by his wife of 50 years, Debra, his 2 sons, and 4 grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Gerald during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer!  The Malone University Alumni Office is happy to support and care for our Pioneer community through a variety of resources. Here's an overview of ways our office is here to support you in 2026 (and beyond!):  Campus Resources: Wellness Center, Library, Community Worship  Campus resources remain available to Pioneers even after graduation! Here are a few to note:  Alumni can purchase a membership to the Wellness Center for a reduced fee. To inquire on purchasing a membership, please contact Joyce Byler at jbyler@malone.edu . Alumni can access free internet and resources at the Everett Cattell Library anytime during operational hours. For hours and more information,  click here .  Community Worship is always available to our alumni. Join us in the Johnson Center on Wednesdays at 10 am!  Career Resources with Handshake Handshake is an employer engagement resource that includes a job board. Organizations can post inter...

  Guy Bertram '68, age 91, passed away on December 29th. Guy graduated from Malone with a degree in Biology, and he was also a proud veteran on the U.S. military, serving in the army. Guy also found a special pride in impacting the lives of the children of Canton, Ohio through his time as a teacher and coach in the Canton school system, but also through his time with First Tee of Canton. Guy is survived by his wife, Donna, 2 children, as well as grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Guy during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Malone's Center for Student Success is offering Handshake as a platform for students and alumni to help with career services. What is Handshake? Handshake is an employer engagement resource that allows current Malone students, as well as alumni, to access a job board that connects students/alumni to experiential learning opportunities such as internships, full-time/part-time jobs, volunteer roles, etc. Along with the job board, students and alumni gain access to events hosted by external organizations that are usually webinar and information sessions presented through virtual platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams as a way to connect and engage with others. What makes Handshake different from LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and other openly accessible job  boards? Handshake requires an approval process by both the employer relations team at Handshake, as well as Career Services at Malone University. An employer must be approved by either Handshake’s team or Malone Ca...

  Charles Ellyson '80, passed away at the age of 67 on December 31, 2025. Charles graduated from Malone in 1980 with a degree in Christian Ministries. Charles later went on to have a career spanning multiple decades with Delta Airlines, serving in a variety of capacities. In his free time, he enjoyed hobbies such as cycling and skiing.  Charles had a deep, unwavering faith in the Lord, and even served as an interim pastor at New Providence Church. He is survived by his wife, Diana, along with his 5 children and 10 grandchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Charles during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .