Polar Bear Family: Part 2
For our legacy students, being a Polar Bear is a family affair. These students have at least one close family member who is an alumni of Ohio Northern. Our legacy families affirm that 蹤獲扦 offers a distinctive educational experience that spans generations. In part two of a three part series, meet four of our legacy families.
The Trimpey family is an 蹤獲扦 Legacy.
Hailey Trimpeys parents always raved to her about 蹤獲扦 when she was growing up. She never totally understood the hype until she began telling friends and family that she was going to be attending Menu and saw their reactions. Thats when I realized how prestigious of a university 蹤獲扦 is, she says.
A senior political science major, Hailey has participated in the Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) and trained dogs with Polar Paws. (Her latest trainee, Sport, is pictured in this family photo). Her favorite spot on campus is the second floor of Hill Building, where, she says, Ive definitely fallen asleep on the couch in there more times than Id like to admit!
Her parents, who were both 蹤獲扦 student-athletes, have fond memories of King-Horn Sports Center where they spent a lot of time with teammates. They also enjoyed (and still do) the beautiful tulips that pop up across campus in the springtime.
Dr. Randy Trimpey, BS 96, is a family physician in Bowling Green, Ohio, and Chris (Linn) Trimpey, BA 96, is a gifted intervention specialist at Lake Local Schools in Millbury, Ohio. Dr. Trimpey says: I feel confident that Ohio Northern will prepare my daughter for the next stage of her life.
The Avello family is an 蹤獲扦 Legacy.
The peaceful and scholarly atmosphere is what attracted Miguel Avello, BSME 95, to Ohio Northern University. Twenty-five years later, these same qualities also appeal to his son, Diego Avello, a third-year pharmacy student.
My dad always told me that education is freedom, says Diego. He picked 蹤獲扦 because he knew he would get a high-quality engineering education. For me, attending the same school as my dad makes me feel connected to him. When he was not much older than I am now, my old man was walking down the very same paths I take on a day-to-day basis. Although Im far from home, I always feel like that distance is not far because of this connection.
Miguel, who was a young father when he attended 蹤獲扦 in the 1990s, fondly recalls taking his then two-year-old daughter to feed the ducks in the pond at 蹤獲扦. Diegos favorite spot on campus, however, is the King Horn Sports Center where he goes to burn off stress.
The Avello family is from St. Joseph, Michigan. Miguel is the global director of product development for Whirlpool Corporation. He is thrilled that Diego fell in love with 蹤獲扦, just like he did. Its very special to know that one of my five children could walk where I once walked, confronting the challenges that lead us to fulfill our dreams, studying, learning and striving to become better.
The Le family is an 蹤獲扦 Legacy.
Siblings Triet and Uyen Le grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in a close-knit family. Their father was the inspiration for both of them to pursue a career in healthcare. Triet is a fifth-year pharmacy student and Uyen is a first-year nursing student at 蹤獲扦.
My dad is a surgeon and I got to see him save lives my entire life. Thus, healthcare was ingrained deeply in my identity, says Triet. Knowing that 蹤獲扦 has one of the best pharmacy programs in the country, picking my major was a no-brainer.
Uyen says her brother introduced her to 蹤獲扦's "amazing nursing program. She also chose healthcare because of her family. Seeing how much my dad cares for his patients and how devoted he is to his job, along with being nurtured by two role models: my mom and my grandma, inspired me to work in healthcare," she says.
At 蹤獲扦, the siblings have found a kind and supportive community that has welcomed them wholeheartedly. I think what makes 蹤獲扦 unique is the accessibility of world-class professors, says Triet. The doors are usually opened and I can just peak my head in to ask a question or have a quick chat with them.
Uyen and Triet admit to sometimes feeling homesick, however. Being far away from home does have some challenges, says Triet. I miss my family, the home atmosphere, the food and the holidays, especially the Lunar New Year, when I am homesick the most.
But this academic year, the siblings have each other on campus. It is pretty cool to have my sister here, says Triet. Since I left home pretty young, we never had the time to hang out and bond with each other. Its nice that we have the opportunity to do that now.
The Rhodes Family is an 蹤獲扦 Legacy
A personable education and friendly campus environment is what the Rhodes family loves the most about Ohio Northern.
Siblings Logan and Lauren Rhodes are both following in the footsteps of their dad, Brion Rhodes, BSCE 95, at Northern. Brion is the Allen County Engineer, administering all aspects of design, construction and repair of local roads, bridges and culverts in Allen County, Ohio. Logan is a senior majoring in finance and accounting and Lauren is a sophomore majoring in nursing.
In his student days, Brion commuted to campus, so one of his favorite spots to hang out was the Heterick Memorial Library where he could quietly study. Lauren says the library is also her favorite spot. I spend most of my time there, just like my dad said I should! she says. The library has changed since Brions days, with lots of comfortable spaces and furniture for collaborating, lounging and studying. Who would have ever guessed there would be a coffee shop in the library! Brion notes.
Growing up, Lauren says she heard lots of great things about 蹤獲扦 from family and friends. She also learned that 蹤獲扦 was a place that wanted you to succeed. I think the small class sizes is another factor that really drew us all to 蹤獲扦, she says. Brion adds: I know they (Logan and Lauren) are receiving a quality education with personal connections to both students and staff. At 蹤獲扦, youre not just a number, and its also affordable.