Lima, OH (May 29, 2020) – The 2020 Rhodes State College Outstanding Alumni Award recipient is Rachael S. Gilroy. Gilroy earned an Associate of Arts in Paralegal/Legal Assisting from Lima Technical College (LTC) in 1994. She said of her education at Lima Technical College, “From helping a young mother achieve her dream back then, assisting in an internship that ended up becoming a full time job, to where I am now, Rhodes State played a tremendous role in my life, and I'm so very glad to be able to return those gifts to my community!”
In 2007, Gilroy attained her Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and receives annual certifications from the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Secretary of State, Auditor of State, and the Treasurer of State. After graduation from Lima Technical College in 1994, she was employed by The Huntington National Bank Wealth Advisors Group, as well as the Law Offices of Robert E. Shenk, who nominated her for this honor. She served Allen County as Treasurer from 2008-2013 and from 2013 to present as Allen County Auditor.
In the region, Gilroy has served as Incorporator and Administrator of the Allen County Land Reutilization Corporation, on the Allen County Public Defender’s Commission, in the County Auditor’s Association of Ohio, and as a State Board Member of the Ohio Land Bank Association. Locally, Gilroy serves as a part of the Spencerville VFW, St. Patrick’s Church in Spencerville, the Allen County Republican Party Executive Committee, and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, Lima Lodge. At Rhodes State College, Gilroy was the Featured Alumna in the Winter 2019 Alumni Newsletter, an Adjunct Faculty member from 1995-1996, and she represents a Legacy Family at Rhodes as her youngest daughter graduates this May.
“My husband and I are proud to be active members and supporters of our community and county, from supporting our law enforcement officers through our FOPA membership, to fundraising activities for the local VFW, American Legion and Amvets, to our school and faith communities. We've taken pride in raising our four daughters with the same values. Serving in any form in the community you live in provides strength in character and heart and is vitally important to the strength and health of our communities,” she said.
Previously, Gilroy has received the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Excellence Award and the Huntington National Bank Service in Excellence Award.
The Outstanding Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed on alumni of Rhodes State College or Lima Technical College. Since 1988, this award is annually given to an Associate Degree graduate who brings credit to him or herself and the College through distinguished accomplishments in career or professional life, community affairs at local, state or national levels, and support of the advancement and continued excellence of Rhodes State College.
