Circle of Excellence

Banking Community President, Huntington National Bank

“Rick demonstrates total commitment to his job through development of his staff and always represents the Bank well in the community. He has been very instrumental in the success and the growth of the Lima West Market facility.  He is a total team player and is aggressive in employee development. I would attribute much of his success to the foundation of his education that he received at Lima Technical College.” – Tom Benjamin, Human Resources, Huntington National Bank

Rick attained his associate degree in Business Management in 1982 and immediately found himself in a banking career in which he has grown and through which he has invested in the Lima community. He also serves on the Lima Convalescent Home Board, in the Lima Rotary Club, and in the Kalida Lions Club. At Rhodes State, Rick has been an active member of the Rhodes State College Foundation Board since 2018.

 “When I came out of high school, I didn’t have the resources to go away to college,” Rick said. “Lima Technical College gave me the opportunity to live at home, work a part time job and go to school to further my education. It was economically sound for me, and it gave me flexibility to work and attend school. Upon graduation, I was able to gain an entry level position at my employer and pursue a professional career for which I have been eternally grateful.”

Fire Inspector, Lima Fire Department; US Army Veteran

“Mr. Pughsley is a strong advocate for what a college education from Rhodes can help an individual accomplish. I've known Warren for most of his life, and I'm so impressed with him and how he gives back to the Lima Community through coaching (basketball and football) and how he volunteers his time and energy in supporting education and certainly completing a college degree. His degree from Rhodes has taken him far and I can't wait to see what will be next for him.” Dr. L. Renee Bradley, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Rhodes State College

In addition to his service in the Unites State Army until 1994, Warren has served on the Lima Fire Department since 1996, currently as a Fire Inspector. He has coached basketball for Lima City Schools, Spencerville Local Schools, OSU-Lima/Rhodes State College, and is currently a coach for Band of Brothers, a local AAU program. He serves as a member of the Northwest Ohio Fire Prevention Association and commits his volunteer time to Team Focus, mentoring boys who need a positive male role model, Commitment 2 Kids, a local organization serving children and families; Positive Lifestyles, a minority speaking group who shares about career development and overcoming cultural obstacles; and Team Monica, as the lead organizer of the Adopt-A-Family event.

Warren graduated from Rhodes State in 2003. Of his time at the College, he said, “Attending Rhodes State College was a great experience for me. At the time, I was working at the Lima Fire Department and coaching basketball, so my time was limited, but I always wanted to go to college and get a degree to be able to show my players and my peers that, not only was it valuable, but if they wanted a degree, there was time to make it happen. The staff at Rhodes made that possible for me.”

“Missy possesses a remarkable ability to develop strategies and interventions that cater specifically to preschool students with disabilities, in an effort to be served in an inclusive education setting with peers. Missy extends her influence by providing valuable mentoring, coaching, and consultation to both families and preschool professionals in the field. Her commitment to continuous improvement is evident through her proactive pursuit of professional growth and learning, consistently striving to enhance her skills for the benefit of others. As a leader within and beyond her workplace, Missy's impact extends far into the community.”– Amy Recker, Education Consultant, State Support Team 6

After her graduation from Lima Technical College, Missy went on to achieve her bachelor’s degree in Child Development in 1994 from Bluffton University. She has served as a Preschool Intervention Specialist and teach at the Wood County Educational Service Center, Zion Lutheran Childcare, and at the Allen County Educational Service Center. She also tutors preschool age children to achieve IEP goals/objectives and other kindergarten readiness skills.

“At the time of my enrollment at Lima Technical College I was facing a life decision that would have a major impact on my future,” Missy said. “I was 18 years old and considered a "high school statistic." I was a teenage mother of a four-month-old baby. I knew the road of college would be long and hard, but "my village" was there to support me as I worked hard to make a life for myself and my child. The professors and staff at LTC soon also became my village and encouraged me to fulfill my goals. It is because of their support and encouragement that I am here today filling out this application some 32 years later with the blessing of a career that I enjoy going to every single day.”

Ezekial Wiechart, AAS, Respiratory Care– 2016

Program Director of Respiratory Care, Edison State Community College

“’Zeke’ was a bright, energetic student who excelled at everything we asked of him. He went on to work as a therapist at a local hospital where he was highly respected by his peers and patients. Working full time, getting married and starting a family did not deter Zeke from getting a bachelor’s degree. Zeke is now starting a respiratory program from the ground up at Edison State College.” Pam Halfhill - Chair, Diagnostic and Health Services, Rhodes State College

After his graduation in 2016, Ezekial worked in Respiratory Therapy and, later, as Clinical Care Coordinator at Blanchard Valley Health System. He began as a Clinical Instructor of Respiratory Therapy at Rhode State in 2021 and became the Program Director of Respiratory Care at Edison State Community College in 2023. His first role, as a therapist, allowed direct access to patient care. He moved on, then, as an instructor, and this afforded him the chance to enhance other therapist’s ability to provide exceptional care. Currently, as the Program Director for Respiratory Care at a community college, he has the opportunity to serve students who are building Respiratory Care careers.

“Rhodes State Respiratory Department has given me everything I have professionally,” he said. “I was a student who was on the waiting list for the PTA program. I, like many college students, was afraid of what I was going to do with my life. I couldn't get into the PTA program, and I worried that I wouldn't have a career. I went to an open house at Rhodes, and I saw the Respiratory program. I was filled with hope.” He continued, “I had guidance from [the Respiratory Care faculty] along the way, and as great as they were as instructors, they are better people. I was a scared young man, and Rhodes gave me hope and a future.”