Stark State College Alumni Hall of Fame – 2007 Inductees
The Stark State College Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished alumni who have demonstrated professional and personal achievements that have made our community a better place in which to live. Each honoree receives a plaque commemorating this distinguished award and is honored on the Alumni Hall of Fame display at the College. For 2007. the Alumni Advisory Council has selected four individuals worthy of this special honor: They are:

Alumni Hall of Fame 2007 Inductees (left to right): Dorothea Armstead, Lori Stokes and Richard Mitchell accepting posthumously for Marianna Mitchell. Missing from photo is Cheryl Hamilton.

Dorothea Armstead, a 1996 graduate in human and social services technology, is the human services program manager at Stark County Department of Job and Family Services. She has since earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Akron. Dr. Lada Gibson-Shreve, Associate Professor of Social Sciences, frequently invites her to share professional experiences with Stark State’s gerontology classes. Dorothea has been married 43 years and is the mother of four children and six grandchildren.

“ It is never to late to fulfill one’s pursuit of education. School was easier the second time around when I was older and wiser.” – Dorothea Armstead

Cheryl Hamilton is one of Stark State’s “Women in Engineering”. She is a 1974 graduate in design engineering technology and is president of the RJS Corporation, advancing from vice president and director of engineering. Cheryl earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron and holds two U.S. Patents. She is a member of the Wilderness Center and the League of Women Voters. Cheryl resides in North Canton with her husband Lynn and their son.

“A Stark State College education opens doors and provides opportunities for success.”
– Cheryl Hamilton

Lori Stokes, a 1995 graduate with an associate degree in Office Administration, is the assistant to the medical director at the Correctional Health Care Group, Inc. Lori earned a B.A. in management from Malone College and her M.B.A. in human resource management from Ashland University. Serving her community through volunteerism is an important part of Lori’s life and describes it as her way of giving back to the community and setting an example for her children that they can make a difference in others lives. Lori and her husband Ron have five children and reside in the Canton area.

“You must take every opportunity to learn day by day, moment by moment, to shape and mold your future; because ideally during your lifetime, one has no failures, just experiences and how we react to them!” – Lori Stokes

In Memoriam

Marianna Mitchell, a 1980 business management graduate of Stark State College, is inducted into the Stark State Alumni Hall of Fame today posthumously. She was the president and owner of the Letter Shop, Inc. for 14 years and served on numerous professionally aligned committees and boards. Marianna was an active member of the Alumni Advisory Council and a great advocate of Stark State developing an entrepreneurial studies program. She is survived by her husband Richard and three sons.

“Marianna spoke highly of her education from Stark State. She felt that the knowledge she gained enabled her to become the successful business owner that she was.” – Richard Mitchell