Southern State students earn statewide academic team honors

Southern State Community College put three students on a statewide stage June 30, naming Logan Savage, Wyatt Osborn and Bentley Schweickart to the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team. The recognition linked strong grades with leadership and service, and it came with scholarships that can help local students keep building close to home.

Savage earned First Team honors and a $1,000 scholarship, Osborn was named to the Second Team with a $500 scholarship, and Schweickart received Third Team honors and a $250 scholarship. In the statewide announcement, Savage was also identified as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar, adding another layer of recognition for the Southern State student.

The honor carried the weight of a program that has awarded statewide recognition and scholarships to Ohio community college students since 1997. This year’s class included 52 students from across Ohio, selected through a process that starts with nominations from faculty, staff and other campus leaders and then highlights students who have excelled in academics, leadership and community service.

The award matters in Adams County because it reflects a direct path from Southern State into higher education and the local workforce. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges says the All-Ohio Academic Team is designed to recognize students who plan either to transfer to a four-year university or move straight into a job, making the distinction more than a line on a transcript. For families watching tuition costs and job prospects, the program shows how a community college education can still lead to statewide distinction and financial support.

The 2026 ceremony and luncheon took place April 23 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus during National Community College Month, which the U.S. Department of Education proclaimed for April 2026. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges said the event was part of a collaboration with Phi Theta Kappa and sponsor Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., while OACC President and CEO Avi Zaffini said Ohio’s community colleges are preparing students for a technology-focused economy and play an essential role in workforce preparation.

At Southern State, the recognition also put a spotlight on the people behind the students. The college shared images of President Dr. Nicole Roades with Savage, Osborn and Schweickart, along with PTK advisor Sam Ginn, underscoring the campus support that helps turn academic promise into measurable success. For Adams County, the three honorees represent a local pipeline with statewide reach, and a reminder that strong futures can start at Southern State.