Malone Alumni News

Malone University graduate Patricia Reynolds '21 is bringing her passion for mental health and wellness to her hometown with the opening of Elevating Mental Health & Wellness, located in East Liverpool, Ohio. Patricia holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and has worked in the mental health field since 2021, including positions at Aspire and Insight Social Health Services. Her practice provides counseling for children through adults, with services addressing anxiety, ADHD, stress management, work-life balance and emotional regulation, along with telehealth options. As an East Liverpool native and middle school girls' basketball and track coach, Patricia hopes her strong community ties will help clients feel comfortable seeking support. Her goal is to help individuals recognize their progress, manage everyday challenges and continue growing. In an interview with Morning Journal, she recently shared the heart behind her practice: "For me, starting ...

Congratulations to Dr. John Chopka ’89, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP)!  A 1989 graduate of Malone University, John earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts. He was involved in theater, the Aviso, and Student Senate, eventually becoming Student Body President.  After graduation, John built a distinguished career in higher education enrollment management and marketing.  John returned to Malone in 1997, serving as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing until 2007.  He then joined Messiah University--a fellow CCCU school--where he served as Vice President for Enrollment Management for nearly 18 years. Today, John serves as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. This well-deserved recognition celebrates John’s leadership and lasting contributions to higher education. Malone Univ...

Melinda Kay Talbott, age 63, of Newark, Ohio, passed away Monday, October 12, 2026, at the OSU James Cancer Hospital. She was born in Newark, Ohio on March 4, 1963, to the late Otto and Viola (Regoli) Talbott. Melinda obtained her undergraduate degree from Malone College and her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. She worked in higher education at several institutions and finally retired from Newark City Schools, Liberty Middle School, in 2024 where she taught health and physical education. In retirement she enjoyed operating her own home decor business, Rula’s, in Berlin, Ohio. Melinda was a devout Christian who attended church regularly. She loved gardening, traveling, and volunteering at the Licking County Humane Society. Melinda is survived by her sister, Darla Talbott; nephew, Blake (Gwen) Talbott; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be held from 4PM-7PM Friday, October 16, and 10AM-12PM Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Brucker and Kishler Funeral H...

Claudia Jane Kieselhorst of The Moorings of Gray Oaks in Naples, Florida, formerly of Palmira Golf & CC in Bonita Springs, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026. Prior to living in Florida, Claudia lived in Catawba Island, Ohio and Annapolis, Maryland. Born on March 8, 1943, in Canton, Ohio, Claudia was the daughter of Parker & Arlene Schafer. Claudia graduated from Hoover High and continued her education at Malone College, where she received her teaching degree, both located in Canton. Claudia taught for over 30 years with most of her career at Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland. Claudia was married to James (Jim) Kieselhorst for 52 years before his passing in 2022. Their life was filled with countless dear friends and family. They enjoyed traveling, sailing and power boating on Lake Erie and the Chesapeake Bay. They led a very active social life in Florida and loved calling it their home. Claudia was a wonderful person and always the first to lend ...

More than two decades after starring on the softball field for New Philadelphia, Sarah Schmidt is returning to her alma mater as the Quakers’ new head softball coach. A 2002 New Philadelphia graduate, Sarah was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-time first-team All-East Central Ohio League selection. She helped lead the Quakers to the regional final as a freshman in 1999 and was part of ECOL championship teams in 1999 and 2000. Sarah continued her playing career here at Malone University from 2003-06, where she established herself as one of the program’s top hitters. She led the Pioneers with a .387 batting average and a .996 fielding percentage as a senior.  Sarah's name remains featured multiple times among Malone’s top 10 career and single-season statistical records. Previously Sara coached at both the high school and youth levels. She served as an assistant coach at Garaway from 2007-09 before returning to New Philadelphia, where she was an assistant from 2010-12....

Jami Brighty '00 has been named the new head coach of men’s golf at Wheaton College. Jami's lifelong connection to golf began when he started caddying at a golf club in Toledo, Ohio, at age 13. He then played four years of collegiate golf here at Malone University, where his college experience helped shape his path in the sport. During his senior year at Malone, a professional golfer encouraged Jami to pursue a career in the golf industry. That led him to Crystal Lake, Illinois, where he worked as an assistant golf professional before earning his PGA professional certification in 2006. Before joining Wheaton, he spent five years as head boys golf coach at Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois. His teams qualified for the state championship in each of the past three seasons. “It was very clear to me that God was leading me in this direction of getting back into the world of golf,” Jami said. Congratulations to Jami as he begins this new chapter at Wheaton! The Pioneer ...

  John K. Jones '93 was named senior vice president of Residential Services for MorseLife. John brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience to his new role.  His extensive background includes operations, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, human resources, and community development. John will oversee the strategic direction, resident satisfaction, operational performance, compliance, governance, financial results and brand positioning for more than 500 senior living units across luxury and affordable residences. He will focus on building upon the strong services already in place while collaborating with colleagues to further enhance the resident experience and ensure MorseLife’s services continue to evolve in response to the changing needs and expectations of those it serves. Way to go, John!  The Pioneer community is proud to cheer you on as you embark on this exciting new chapter! This article adapted from the Florida Hospital News and Healt...