Homecoming Gala to Celebrate Rocket Alumni on Sept. 26

Homecoming Gala to Celebrate Rocket Alumni on Sept. 26

The University of Toledo Alumni Association will recognize its distinguished graduates at the Homecoming Alumni Gala on Friday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

In addition to honoring alumni from UToledo's colleges, three alumni are selected annually for the Alumni Association's most prestigious honors: The Gold T, Daniel Saevig Blue T and Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum awards.

Gold T Award

The Gold T award is presented to a University of Toledo graduate in recognition of outstanding achievement in his or her field of endeavor, while providing leadership and noteworthy service to the community.

The 2025 Gold T award will be presented to Jason Graven - bachelor of arts degree in history in 2009 and a master of business administration degree in 2012 - who was part of the U.S. Army 64th Military Police (MP) Company, 720th MP Battalion and was deployed in March 2003 as part of the initial invasion force into Iraq, where he earned the Army Commendation Medal for his service.

Graven grew up in northwest Ohio and was raised by a single mother after his father, a U.S. Army veteran, died by suicide in 1987.

Following his 2012 graduation, he became a founding member of The University of Toledo Campus Military Veterans Organization and was elected president of the organization from fall 2006 through Spring 2008. In 2009, the organization became the UToledo Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter, one of the earliest chapters of the organization, which now has almost 1,600 chapters nationwide.

Daniel J. Saevig Blue T Award

The Daniel J. Saevig Blue T award is presented to a UToledo graduate in recognition of their outstanding service to the UToledo Alumni Association and the University through committee and community involvement.

Robert "Reggie" Bradley, Jr. - bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and a minor in management in 2010 - serves as senior vice president and relationship manager with the PNC Financial Services Group serving northwest Ohio.

Bradley is a graduate of Leadership Toledo, volunteers through the Rotary Club of Toledo and is a board member and immediate past chair of the Northwest Chapter of Prevent Blindness Ohio. He is the current treasurer of The University of Toledo Alumni Association and serves on the boards of UToledo Blue Crew Alumni Association, Regional Growth Partnership's International Committee, Government Affairs Committee of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and is a former board member of BeInstrumental.

When Bradley is not giving his time and energy to improving our community, he is leveraging more than 14 years of banking experience to support local organizations and community members with their unique needs and goals.

Bradley and his wife, Allison, have spent more than 20 years as involved members of the community and reside in Sylvania, where they are raising their two children, Henry and Aurora.

Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Award

The Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum award is presented to a University graduate who is 40 years of age or younger in recognition of outstanding achievement in their career. This award is named in memory of Ed Schmidt, a 1942 alumnus and a longtime supporter of The University of Toledo and its Alumni Association.

Dr. Parul Baranwal - doctor of philosophy degree in environmental engineering in 2022 - serves as the assistant director of the Water and Pollution Control Department for the city of Ames, Iowa, where she leads critical efforts in sustainable water management and public service delivery.

During her youth in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, Baranwal witnessed the persistent challenges related to access to clean water and basic education, particularly for girls. Fueled by these early experiences, she made it her mission to bridge these gaps through science, community empowerment and policy engagement.

Earlier in her career, she held research and technical positions in both the United States and India, laying the groundwork for her future as a changemaker in water quality, hydrology and environmental policy. Deeply committed to giving back, Baranwal mentors students from low-income and rural backgrounds, and delivers STEM talks and workshops for organizations empowering girls and underrepresented youth to pursue science and engineering careers. She also contributes to global research discourse as an editor for Springer Nature.

Dr. Baranwal's work has earned national and international recognition. In 2025, she received the prestigious Water and Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport Show Young Professional Award for her contributions to the water industry. She also was awarded the Google Career Certificate Scholarship, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) American Water Scholarship and the Ohio Section AWWA Award.

College Distinguished Alumni Awards

Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education Distinguished Alumni Award

Jana Gessner received her bachelor of arts degree in English from The University of Toledo in 1988, holds a master of science degree in chemical engineering (environmental) from Wayne State University in Detroit, as well as the Certified Safety Professional and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager credentials. Gessner is senior vice president - environmental, health and safety (EHS) for PepsiCo, and is a globally seasoned executive with an extensive supply chain and manufacturing background with Fortune 500 companies.

Her 25-years-plus career includes positions in automotive, food and beverage, fleet/logistics, industrial material/chemical manufacturing and supply chain and a passion for supporting non-profit organizations from a philanthropic perspective.

She serves as the past chairman and board member of Women in Manufacturing (Cleveland), vice chair and executive board member of the UToledo Alumni Association, board member of Toledo Public Schools Foundation, and Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Advisory and Executive Board for the University of Findlay.

John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation

Edward Kinsey received his bachelor of business administration in accounting in 1979 and is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and finance professional with a distinguished career across high-tech firms and public service.

A certified public accountant in Ohio and California, he began at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and KPMG before co-founding Ariba, Inc., a leader in spend management solutions. He later advised DocuSign's chief financial officer ahead of its IPO and founded Determination Ventures, LLC, and Impel, Inc., securing four patents for consumer service commerce.

Kinsey currently serves as the chief financial officer of Otto Aerospace, Inc., focused on revolutionizing aviation with the most aerodynamically efficient laminar flow design to dramatically reduce drag, slash fuel consumption and cut carbon emissions by up to 90%.

Known for tackling complex issues, Kinsey most recently served as chief financial strategy officer and senior advisor at the U.S. State Department, helping shape Executive Order 13959. He also led SEC regulatory initiatives addressing foreign stock market inequities. Kinsey founded The Kinsey Family Foundation and established a scholarship for students without father figures. He has been honored as a University of Toledo Pacemaker of the Year and also is in the University's Neff College of Business and Innovation Hall of Fame.

College of Engineering

Anne-Marie Ainsworth graduated cum laude from The University of Toledo in 1978 with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and received her masters of business administration in management from Rice University in Houston, where she also served as an adjunct professor for more than nine years. She is also a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors at the University of Calgary's Rotman School of Management.

A Toledo native, Ainsworth was president and chief executive officer of Oiltanking Partners, senior vice president of refining at Sunoco, general manager of Shell's Norco Refinery in Norco, Louisiana, director of process safety and business improvement at Shell Oil Products U.S., as well as vice president of technical assurance at Shell Deer Park Refining Co.

She currently serves on the boards of directors for four public companies, including Pembina Pipeline Corporation, HF Sinclair Corporation, Kirby Corporation and Archrock. Ainsworth has extensive experience in operating complex joint ventures within the oil industry, having held several senior management and executive positions.

She lives in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband, Christopher Spiller, and has four children and four grandchildren.

College of Health and Human Services

Dr. Chase Scarbrough graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from The University of Toledo in 2008 and earned his medical degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital. He went on to complete fellowship training in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Scarbrough is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon specializing in cutaneous oncology. He serves as a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with Blanchard Valley Medical Associates in Findlay and as core faculty for the OhioHealth Dermatology Residency Program.

An accomplished clinician, researcher and educator, Scarbrough has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and holds a patent for transdermal drug delivery. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

A decorated military veteran, Scarbrough served as a major and flight surgeon in the Ohio Army National Guard, including combat deployment to Iraq. He also has held leadership roles as deputy coroner of Hancock County and as chief executive officer of Scarbrough Pharmaceutical Innovations.

Jesup Scott Honors College

Sharon Schneider received her bachelor of arts in English in 1997 and has 25 years of experience across entrepreneurship, philanthropy and impact investing. Schneider is the founder of Integrated Capital Strategies, LLC (ICS), a consulting firm that helps founders and family offices create positive social change while also helping organizations set-up or align their organization to a more value-integrated life.

Schneider is the author of "Handbook for an Integrated Life: a Practical Guide to Aligning Your Everyday Choices with Your Internal Compass," a No. 1 New Release on Amazon that helps individuals live their values the same way her consulting company helps organizations. She also created and hosted the limited podcast series "Socially Responsible Business."

Schneider co-founded the Executive Director Institute, a four-month bootcamp for philanthropy executives, providing targeted technical and experiential education to empower staff and create high impact nonprofits and social enterprises. She previously served as the executive director of the Telluray Foundation and was the founding Director of the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group.

Schneider was the co-founder and chief executive officer of Moxie Jean, a for-profit social enterprise which earned her a spot on the "Top 100 Innovator" list by the Chicago Tribune and a Chicago Innovation Award.

Since moving to Denver in 2016, Sharon has been named a Colorado Governor's Fellow, a member of Teach for America's Champion's Circle and a "Who's Who in Impact Investing." She continues to serve on nonprofit and foundation boards and investment committees and is a member of the 2024 Aspen Institute Finance Leaders Fellowship and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

College of Law

Arlene Singer graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1972 and a juris doctor in 1976. She is a retired judge of the Ohio 6th District Court of Appeals, a trailblazer for women in law and a passionate advocate for rescue dogs and her Old West End neighborhood in Toledo.

Elected to the state legislature in 1986, Singer was a one-term state representative and a member of the Civil and Commercial Law, Education, and Judiciary and Criminal Justice House committees. She held multiple titles following her service with the Ohio legislature.

Judge Singer is a mentor for many law students in the community. She works with the Ohio Supreme Court Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, Ohio Judicial College Mentor Training, the UToledo College of Law and the Toledo Women's Bar Association.
She is a founding member of the Toledo Women Lawyers History Project at UToledo, which includes recognizing the history of women lawyers in the Toledo area; hosting a speaker series with past, present and future women lawyers; and developing community outreach for women in law.

College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Dr. Harry S. Clarke, Jr. received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Moravian University in 1972 and went on to earn his doctor of philosophy degree in medical sciences/radiology in 1984 and his doctor of medicine degree from The University of Toledo in 1987, where he also completed his residency in urology. Clarke is certified by the American Board of Urology and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

A distinguished educator and clinician. Clarke has operated and taught internationally, including Russia, Singapore and Taiwan. He served as a member of the American Urologic Association International Visiting Urologists, lecturing and operating in Vietnam and on several National Urologic and Educational committees. He also is a past president of the Cryosurgical Society. Contributing to research on minimally invasive and innovative treatments for prostate cancer, including cryosurgery, robotic surgery and brachytherapy.

Clarke joined Emory University where he was responsible for urologic residency training and served as the principal investigator on the multicenter National Institutes of Health Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms, MTOPS trial. In 2002, Clarke joined the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as a professor of urology and associate dean for graduate medical education, where he was responsible for 1,200 residents and fellows. In 2025, Clarke retired from academic practice at MUSC specializing in urologic oncology and reconstructive surgery and was named Distinguished University Professor of Urology and Radiation Medicine.

He has been married to Jennifer Swain Clarke for over 50 years and has two sons, Harry III and Joe, and six grandchildren.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dr. Gene Richard earned his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from UToledo in 1982 before pursuing his medical degree from the Ohio State University. He then served a three-year pathology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Born and raised in Sylvania, Richard has enjoyed a professional career as an associate pathologist over three decades in states including Indiana, Texas and Ohio. Currently, he serves as chairman for the department of pathology at ProMedica and as the chief medical officer for Consultants in Laboratory Medicine of Greater Toledo.

He is a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists, a member of The Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County and member of the Ohio State Medical Association. Lastly, he is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
Richard has had the results of his research efforts published as abstracts and articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Richard and his family are UToledo sports fans, especially of Lady Rockets basketball, and proudly support the advancement of science at The University of Toledo.

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Xuemei Li was trained in clinical medicine in Beijing, China, received her master's degree in pharmacology at The University of Toledo in 1998, and completed her residency, fellowship and attending rotations at institutions on the Atlantic coast.

A board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist, Li currently serves as executive medical director at Pfizer and has had a unique blend of experiences from scientific research, clinical practice and development of novel cancer medicines.

Li joined biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb in 2014 before joining Seagen/Pfizer in 2019. During her time in biopharmaceutical industry, she successfully led many phase 1 to 3 clinical trials resulting in marketing approvals of several oncology medicines including immunome check point inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab, antibody drug conjugates Brentuximab vedotin and Enfortumab vedotin.

Li is currently conducting clinical research for the treatment of various cancers to address the unmet medical needs of patients and is passionate about finding better medicines that can meaningfully improve the quantity and quality of life for those faced with cancer.

Dr. David Liu earned his master's degree in pharmacology from The University of Toledo in 1997, a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.D. from Beijing Medical University (Peking University School of Medicine).

Since 2022, Liu has served as the chief medical officer (CMO) at Nuvation Bio. Liu and his team developed taletrectinib, which received FDA approval for the treatment of ROS1+ lung cancer in June 2025. From 2019 to 2022, Liu served as the CMO at 3D Medicines, a biotechnology company based in Shanghai, China. There, Dr. Liu and his team developed the world's first subcutaneously administered PD-L1 antibody, envafolimab, that was approved in China.

Within both companies, Liu built and led clinical research and development, including global clinical research, global clinical operations, pharmacovigilance, biostatistics, programming and data management, clinical pharmacology, translational medicine and medical affairs. Leveraging his leadership and experience, Liu spent his early career contributing to the development of new medicines for cancer treatment.

University College

Linda Parra earned her bachelor's degree in individualized studies from The University of Toledo in 2016 and one year later launched the first, 24-hour Spanish-language radio station in northwest Ohio, WVZC 96.5 FM. The station broadcasts music, local and international news and talk shows 24/7.

She is the founder and executive director of Nuestra Gente Community Projects Inc. and WVZC. Born and raised in Venezuela, Parra developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by disadvantaged populations.

After moving to Toledo in 2000 and not finding any local Spanish-language radio programming, Parra was motivated to create one. By 2006, she had started the first radio program entirely in Spanish in the Toledo area.

In 2008, she founded Nuestra Gente Community Projects Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides health screenings and other services to Toledo's Hispanic community. Using her nonprofit as a launchpad, Parra secured a low-power FM license from the FCC in 2014, WVZC 96.5 FM.

With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit work, Parra focuses on delivering educational support, food security, and essential furnishings to provide a safety net and create stable, supportive home environments, as well as interpretation, translation and transportation. Parra's work has provided critical resources to hundreds of families.

UToledo Health Distinguished Alumni Healthcare Provider

Holly Smith is a 2001 graduate of The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmacetical Sciences (CPPS) and earned her executive master of business administration degree from UToledo in 2017 and completed international business studies in Estonia, Finland and Russia.

The administrative director of pharmacy services and chief pharmacy officer at UToledo Health, Smith has been recognized by American Healthcare Leader as an "Executive to Watch" recognizing her visionary leadership in establishing a robust pharmacy practice model.

Smith spent over a decade with Walgreens, where she managed operations and launched a home delivery service in partnership with local assisted living facilities. Her early work emphasized patient-centered care and outreach, including immunization clinics and provider collaboration.

In 2012, Smith transitioned to the University of Toledo Medical Center as outpatient pharmacy manager, where she expanded services significantly. Her achievements include launching iMEDS transition of care services for hospital patients, integrating robotic technology into outpatient pharmacy workflow and developing a pharmacy patient assistance foundation that ensures medication access for qualifying patients.

In 2018, she became director of ambulatory pharmacy services, overseeing four outpatient pharmacies and leading ambulatory care initiatives, 340B compliance and the UToledo employee prescription benefit. Under her leadership, outpatient pharmacy operations soared to record highs in prescription volume, sales and patient impact.