Alumni Success Stories



Florence Hess

Florence transferred to the Secretarial program at Davis College where the tuition was only $5.00 per week.

In 1934 Florence Hess graduated from Scott High School and attended The University of Toledo. As a result of the Great Depression, Florence's parents could not afford the tuition at the university. Determined to get a college education, Florence transferred to the Secretarial program at Davis College where the tuition was only $5.00 per week.

During her time at Davis, Florence enrolled in courses including bookkeeping, penmanship, and Gregg shorthand. She also worked as the College's receptionist.

A lawyer who visited Davis College while Florence was answering the phones was impressed with her skills and offered Florence a job working as a legal secretary making $8.00 a week. Florence remembers saving her money from her new job to buy her first car—a 1929 Model-A that cost $75.00.

Florence also worked for the Eastman Smith Law Firm for almost 20 years before her retirement.

Mary Ann Kahl

Mary Ann feels her Davis education and her experiences at The Wallpaper Company gave her the knowledge to successfully run her own business.

Mary Ann Kahl came to Davis because she had always had an interest in becoming an interior designer. As a mother of a three-year-old daughter, she liked the freedom of a two-year college schedule as opposed to the time restraints that come with attending a four-year school. Mary Ann worked hard in her classes and graduated from Davis in 1996 with a 3.8 GPA.

After graduation, Mary Ann accepted a position at The Wallpaper Company in Toledo. Mary Ann learned not only how to be a quality interior designer, but also how to efficiently operate a business. Mary Ann was involved in many facets at The Wallpaper Company, from client connections to bookkeeping. Though Mary Ann enjoyed working at The Wallpaper Company, there was no room for promotion or financial growth. Mary Ann left to become the Ohio sales representative for Beauti-Vue, a nationwide window blinds and shades distributor.

Although the financial gains were better at Beauti-Vue, Mary Ann constantly traveled all over Ohio. Mary Ann spent long hours and extensive time away from her family. In addition, her position at Beauti-Vue did not require her to do any interior design work, which she soon began to miss. To bring her back home, and back into the career she loved, Mary Ann decided to open her own interior design business. After a great deal of research and hard work, Mary Ann opened Dezign Centre in Sylvania, Ohio on April 7, 2002.

Mary Ann operates Dezign Centre with the help and guidance of Jacque Mann, an interior designer she met while working at Beauti-Vue. She feels her Davis education and her experiences at The Wallpaper Company gave her the knowledge to successfully run her own business. Through the many challenges that come with operating a new business, Mary Ann remains dedicated to her interest in interior design and looks forward to building relationships with new customers and clients.

Sherri Koback

Sherri worked hard in her classes and graduated from Davis in 1997 with a 3.8 GPA

Sherri Koback knew the Allied Health field was an area where she could work with individuals who are in need of care and assistance. She decided to pursue a Medical Assisting career and enrolled at Davis College.

After a short time in the program, Sherri discovered that being a Medical Assistant was not what she wanted to do for a career. She still was unsure what profession she should choose, but she knew she needed the training to find a good job that would enable her to help other people. Sherri switched majors and enrolled in the Office Administration Medical program. She continued to work hard in her classes and graduated from Davis in 1997 with a 3.8 GPA.

After graduation, Sherri worked several jobs while still searching for the career that was right for her. She worked at UPS in their Accounting Department, Nationwide Insurance, and Mass Mutual where she served as the Executive Assistant to the General Agent. Though Sherri was becoming a successful businesswoman, she still wanted to do more for other people.

Sherri's world changed forever when she was introduced to life coaching. A life coach can positively affect people whose lives need reinforcement and direction. She became a certified life coach through online workshops and training by the Spencer Institute, and started AABalance, her own life coaching business. At AABalance, Sherri works with individuals to help them find personal and professional happiness through exercise, spiritual growth, and building stronger relationships.

Sherri recently took over the heartandsoul Wellness Center in Toledo. At heartandsoul, she offers a variety of fitness classes and workshops that are designed to help people live a better life. Combined, the two businesses to offer a wide range of services and opportunities to help people "find balance" in their life.

Becky Krill

Becky credits her Davis education for giving her the training and information she needed to effectively perform and contribute in a business environment.

As valedictorian of her high school class, Becky Krill knew she was expected to go to college. However, she wasn't sure of what career choice to make. Becky decided she would go to a two-year school, begin working, and then continue her education later if she wanted to. With her high school guidance counselor's assistance, Becky chose to enroll at Davis College in the Executive Secretarial Legal program.

While at Davis, Becky served as a hostess for an open house where area businesses were invited to tour the school. It was her responsibility to inform the attending business professionals of some of the College's procedures. As a result, Becky landed her first job working at a Toledo area law firm. Becky graduated from Davis in 1976.

After two years at the law firm, Becky accepted a position in the legal department at Dana Corporation. Due to some unfortunate family circumstances, Becky had to leave Dana and move back to her hometown in Edgerton, Ohio. She was quickly hired on at The Aro Corporation in Bryan, Ohio, where she went on to hold several high profile positions. Though Becky was a success at Aro, she still had a feeling her education was left unfinished. Becky transferred her Davis credits to Defiance College and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

Today, Becky is a licensed funeral director and owns and operates Krill Funeral Service with her husband and also works as a substitute teacher. She is also a 4-H advisor, a member of the civic work group Gamma Epsilon Sorority, and has served on the YWCA Board of Trustees and the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center Board. Becky credits her Davis education for giving her the training and information she needed to effectively perform and contribute in a business environment. She hopes the Davis students will realize there are key elements around them that will build the qualities they will need to offer perspective employers.

Steve Lark

Steve's time at Davis refocused his career goals and he discovered that there were many career options in which to use his artistic talents.

Steve Lark comes from a family in which education and the teaching profession are of the utmost importance. Inspired by his mother's career as a teacher and his artistic talents, Steve focused on becoming an art educator. In addition, his high school art teachers played a very influential role in Steve's decision. Upon graduating from Bowsher High School, Steve enrolled at Bowling Green State University to begin his training as an art educator.

While Steve was at BGSU, he became discouraged with his studies and eventually left college to pursue other avenues. Steve moved to Florida for a change of scenery. After a period of time he returned to the Toledo area, not really sure what he should do next. A friend, who happened to be enrolled in the Graphic Design program at Davis College, suggested he should look into taking classes there too. Steve followed his friend's advice and enrolled in the Davis College Graphic Design program.

Steve's time at Davis refocused his career goals and he discovered that there were many career options in which to use his artistic talents. After graduating with an Associate's Degree in 1998, Steve worked as a computer services technician at Kinko's. He eventually moved up to the position of Assistant Manager. Still wanting to share his abilities with others, Steve decided to return to college and pursue a degree in art education. In 2002, he graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education.

Steve truly enjoys working as a teacher. He is currently employed with Toledo Public Schools and has taught elementary and high school art. Steve is currently the only graphic arts teacher employed by Toledo Public Schools. This allows him to combine his love of teaching with his talents for graphic design. Steve is happy he didn't allow his goals in life to fall by the wayside. He firmly believes that although the road may be longer than expected and take you in different directions, sticking to your goals can lead to the ultimate happiness in life.

Rhonda Lazette

Rhonda firmly believes the Davis education she received is responsible for her success in her career.

When Rhonda Lazette came to Davis she was a single mother who had fallen on hard financial times. To help support her family, Rhonda decided to pursue a career in the growing Medical field. Rhonda decided to enroll at Davis in the Medical Assisting program because she would get the right training to succeed.

Rhonda dedicated her life to being successful in her education. She worked very hard in her classes and often scheduled many courses per quarter to get through school quickly. Rhonda's externship experience led to her first Medical Assistant job, where she found employment in a physician's office. In 1990, Rhonda's perseverance paid off and she graduated from Davis with a 3.89 GPA.

Today, Rhonda is a full time Medical instructor at Davis College. She has also been very involved with the American Association of Medical Assistants, where she has served as the President of the organization on both local and state levels.

Rhonda firmly believes the Davis education she received is responsible for her success in her career. Her instructors helped to instill job professionalism and a positive attitude that has allowed Rhonda to excel in her current position. Rhonda hopes that the current and future students of Davis will become actively involved in their education. She feels the possibilities of a successful future await them if they can participate in class discussions, meet new people, and understand the instructors are always there to help them.

Carol Mason

Carol credits her Davis education for preparing her to successfully operate her own business and perform in other professional envrionments.

In 1969 Carol Mason chose Davis College because her older sisters had great experiences at the College. Eager to get through school and get out in the workforce, Carol enrolled in the one year Accelerated Secretarial program.

After graduation Carol started working in the offices at Owens Illinois. When her supervisor accepted a new position at Riverside Hospital and asked Carol to join him, she did. Carol worked at Riverside for five years until deciding to start a family.

While raising her children, Carol started her own typing business out of her home. Carol's shorthand training from Davis helped her to be efficient in transcribing her clients' information. Carol would often refer to the Secretarial Guide she received at Davis for assistance in how to properly meet her clients' typing needs. Carol's business grew very quickly and soon she was working for many high profile clients such as physicians, psychiatrists, and other area professionals.

Carol's business continued to grow and she was soon faced with an interesting dilemma: should she hire someone to help her with her numerous clients, or should she fold the business and go to work for another company? Health care benefits were a concern, so Carol decided to close her business and go back to work for someone else. Years later, Carol has ended up back at Owens Illinois, working as a Customer Service Specialist for the Glass Container Division.

In addition to her duties at Owens Illinois, Carol continues to support her family, who own and operate Mason Family Farms. She is grateful for all of the training she received at Davis College. Carol credits her Davis education for preparing her to successfully operate her own business and perform in other professional environments.

Todd Matthews

Todd learned the value of what it meant to be successful at Davis College as a student.

Todd Matthews started taking classes as an English Education major at the University of Toledo following high school. After two years he realized he wasn't really serious about school and decided he would leave UT to find full time employment. Three years later Todd was stuck in a dead end job and was looking for direction in his life when his Mother suggested he look into Davis College. He decided to enroll in the Graphic Design program because the idea of having an artistic career appealed to him.

Todd learned the value of what it meant to be successful as a Davis College student. For the first time in his life Todd did well in math, which is a subject he always had difficulty learning. He also did his externship in the Davis Marketing Department and worked closely on several design projects with one of his instructors. In 1997 Todd graduated from Davis with honors and started employment at Unique Salon Services as the company's Director of Communications.

In this position Todd performed a wide variety of duties for Unique Salon Services. He created the company's entire corporate identity including their own logo and typeface. Todd was also responsible for writing press releases and generated numerous printed materials that helped educate clients on available products. Unfortunately Unique Salon Services suffered some financial set backs and Todd chose to look for another job.

Todd went back to school at UT to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education. While taking classes at UT, Todd started working at Davis full time in the Financial Aid Department. Todd also assisted the Davis Marketing Department with the creation of the academic catalog and generated new forms for use in the Financial Aid Department. After graduating with honors from UT Todd remained at Davis and was promoted to Financial Aid Director following a period of time. He remained in this role for three years until he became the Director of Development, where he helped grow the Davis Business Training and Foundation divisions. In 2006 Todd left Davis to work at Lourdes College as their Federal Work Study Coordinator.

Marilyn Mcafee

Marilyn's Davis training helped her to obtain a secretarial position at Libbey-Owens-Ford.

In 1953 after graduating from high school Marilyn McAfee wasn't sure if pursuing a college education was the right decision. Her sister-in-law graduated from The Ohio State University only to find a job working at a restaurant. Believing that to find a career she needed some training, Marilyn decided to stay local and attend Davis College. Marilyn worked hard in her classes and graduated from the Executive Secretarial program in 1954.

After earning her degree she worked four years at Davis as an Admissions Representative in the Business office during night school. In the early spring of 1959, for National Secretaries Week, Ruth Davis asked her to compete in the National Association and Council of Business Schools' contest to name the "Miss Secretary of 1959". Marilyn came in as a fourth runner-up.

Marilyn's Davis training helped her to obtain a secretarial position at Libbey-Owens-Ford and remained in this position until December of 1959 when she married and moved with her husband to Defiance, Ohio. While living in Defiance, Marilyn started working part-time as a secretary to the bank president at Defiance Savings and Loan. This position helped Marilyn to improve her secretarial skills, which lead her to accept a position working at the Defiance Social Security office. After working two years in this environment Marilyn decided it was time to stay home and start a family.

When Marilyn and her family moved back to Toledo in 1965, she felt this was a perfect opportunity to re-enter the workforce. She was able to find employment again with Libbey-Owens-Ford not only doing secretarial work but also helping in marketing research, sales, and training. Being versatile lead to an important position as Administrative Assistant to the Vice President, Distribution and Industrial Sales, Mr. MacNichol. Marilyn remained with Mr. MacNichol for fifteen years, assisting him as he was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and finally Vice President of Corporate Development. After Mr. MacNichol's retirement, she remained with Libbey-Owens-Ford as an Administrative Assistant until her retirement in 1997.

Today, Marilyn remains busy working with Family Promise of Greater Toledo, Interfaith Hospitality Network. The mission of Family Promise is to assist homeless families with children with temporary safe shelter through a network of congregations in the Toledo metropolitan area. This allows the families to work and regain their independence in our community. Marilyn feels strongly about helping people find direction to a better life.

John Meyer

John chose Davis because it offered two-year programs and it would be a quick way to get a degree.

As a prominent figure for Business Network International (BNI), John Meyer has to talk to a great deal of people. Sometimes it is one-on-one with an individual, but often he has to give speeches in front of large audiences. John firmly believes he wouldn't be able to do this if not for his experiences at Davis College.

As a Central Catholic High School student, John was a quiet and shy individual. He hated going to school and wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. Though he had many uncertainties about a career choice, John knew he probably should still go to college. He chose Davis because it offered two-year programs and it would be a quick way to get a degree. John decided to try his hand at a business degree and enrolled in the Marketing-Finance program.

John worked hard in his classes, but he still felt uncomfortable talking in front of people. He was always the student that sat in the back of the room and never said much of anything. Over time with many instructors help, John began face his public speaking fears. One turning point is when Advisor and Instructor Paul Knollman asked John to run the Davis College Bookstore. Mr. Knollman had seen something in John that John himself did not see: potential to run a business. John accepted Mr. Knollman's offer and worked hard to not let him down. John gained confidence as he took responsibility of the Bookstore and maintained good grades. The quiet and shy John Meyer was gone forever. In 1984, the new John Meyer graduated from Davis with a goal of becoming a business professional.

Today, John has not only met his goal, he has exceeded it. He works to build business relationships as Executive Director of BNI-Ohio and oversees the operations of many of the BNI Chapters in the Midwest region. In 2003, John was honored as the BNI International Director of the Year. John also co-founded the Certified Networker Program, whose networking principals are taught in Davis College's Referral-Based Marketing Course.

Pat Nathanson

Pat credits the guidance Ms. Davis gave her many years ago for her success.

In the fall of 1969, Pat Fortman enrolled in the Executive Secretarial program at Davis College. After a few months of classes, Pat started working at Davis assisting the office staff. In her position at the College, she worked closely with Ms. Ruth Davis who was always willing to offer some helpful advice. Pat remembers Ms. Davis telling her, "If someone is paying you to do a job, you need to do whatever he or she asks. Even if they have you redo a job over and over again." Working in the office also gave her an opportunity to meet fellow student Steve Nathanson, who she would eventually go on to marry in 1973. When Pat and Steve graduated from Davis in 1971, they were respectively named the Outstanding Young Woman and Outstanding Young Man of their graduating class because of their excellent grades and admirable work ethic.

When a job became available at Champion Spark Plugs, Ms. Davis highly recommended Pat for the position. Pat accepted the opportunity at Champion and would go on to work 26 years for the company. During this time she held many high profile positions, including working as the Secretary to the President of North American Operations.

Eventually Champion was purchased by Cooper Industries and many of the operations were moved out of the Toledo area. Though Pat still had a job with the Toledo branch of the company, it wasn't the same environment she had enjoyed working in. Pat decided to look for another job and was soon hired by the Dana Corporation. In her eight years at Dana, she has worked for many different departments, such as Human Resources and Accounting.

Pat credits the guidance Ms. Davis gave her many years ago for her success at Champion and Dana. It has been Pat's flexible attitude and willingness to help where ever she was needed that has allowed her to move from position to position at both companies.

Steve Nathanson

Steve credits the education he received at Davis for building the foundation of his successful career.

In the late 1960's Steve Nathanson came to Davis College because his father felt he should get a solid business education. To achieve this, Steve concentrated his educational efforts in both the Accounting and Marketing programs. During this time period Academic Dean Dave Hetrick was trying to get the students more involved in the activities of Davis College. Mr. Hetrick observed Steve interacting with the students and felt he had strong leadership skills. With full confidence Mr. Hetrick asked Steve to become the Student Council President to help further the goal of increased student involvement.

Steve learned a great deal about working with people in his role as Student Council President. He helped to organize regular student meetings and increased attendance at College dances and events. Steve also arranged for groups of students to attend the home and away games of the Davis College Basketball team. He made many long lasting friendships as Student Council President, some of which he still communicates with today. Steve graduated in 1971 and was named Outstanding Young Man of his graduating class because of all of his efforts.

After his time at Davis, Steve was drafted into the Army. When his term of service was over, Steve took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at Findlay College to earn a Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology. His time at Findlay lead to a full time position at Riverside Hospital where he worked as a second and third shift laboratory supervisor. Though he liked working in a hospital setting, Steve realized he didn't want to work in medical labs for the rest of his life. To pursue an administrative career in a hospital environment Steve went to Central Michigan University to earn a Master of Arts and Business Administration degree.

In 2005 Steve works for Mercy Health Partners as the Regional Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development. He has also been very involved in numerous community activities, including heading a committee that played an instrumental role in the construction of the new I-280 Veteran's Glass City Skyway. Though Steve has attended other colleges and universities, he still credits the education he received at Davis for building the foundation of his successful career.