February 25, 2026

A weekly look at Walsh University news and happenings.

The Walsh Wire is not intended to replace broadcast emails, but to aggregate information in order to increase the level of awareness and understanding about major happenings of the week.

Walsh University will celebrate its 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 2, honoring nearly 600 graduates and distinguished leaders whose lives reflect faith, service, and purpose. Nationally recognized Catholic author and evangelist Chris Stefanick will serve as commencement speaker and receive an honorary doctorate. Additional honorees include defense technologist Michael E. White, State Rep. Scott Oelslager, and retiring Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Dunphy ’79. Ceremonies will be held at the Gaetano M. Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex, with Baccalaureate Mass in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel. | Read More Online

Walsh University has earned academic program accreditation from the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) for both its undergraduate Exercise Science and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology programs. ASEP is the only professional organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to advancing exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. In its official notification letter, ASEP commended Walsh for the exceptional quality and thoroughness of its accreditation materials, noting that the College of Health Sciences at Walsh serves as “a model for other programs seeking accreditation.” | Read More Online

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hoover Park Dance Hall & Grounds. Join Walsh University President Tim Collins and Drenda for an elegant evening benefiting Walsh students. Guests will enjoy a Cavalier Cocktail, browse the silent auction, take part in a wine pull, and enter a reverse raffle featuring a custom Walsh playing card, along with What a Girl Wants and Boys Will Be Boys gift card raffles. Sponsor a Magnolia in support of student dreams and bid on incredible live auction items, including a beach house getaway and other unique experiences. The evening also features a delicious meal, live music by Walsh alumni, and a meaningful program celebrating the impact of your support.

Our Senior Honors Students have been working hard on their theses and are excited to share their work with the campus community. If you are available, please support them starting Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31. The presentations will take place in Timken Natural Sciences Center (TNSC) Room 108. After each presentation, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. Please click here for the full program (PDF) with locations, times, and presentation topics. We hope that you can attend to support and celebrate these graduating seniors.

 The opening of the 2026 tour season at the Hoover Historical Center begins March 5, with free guided tours offered Thursday through Saturday through October on the historic Hoover farm in North Canton. This year, the Center joins the countywide Stark County Historical Pastport, part of the America 250 initiative, connecting residents to local landmarks through an interactive, documentary-style experience. The Pastport premiere event will be held March 25 at the Lions Lincoln Theatre, where Megan Pellegrino, Director of Museum Studies and Director of the Hoover Historical Center, will represent Walsh on a county history panel. The Hoover Historical Center is also featured on the Ohio Innovation Trail, highlighting James Murray Spangler’s invention and The Hoover Company’s global impact. | Read More Online

America’s Startup is a national competition inviting college students to pitch bold business ideas or early-stage ventures as we approach the nation’s 250^th anniversary. Ten teams will each receive $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, and finalists will pitch live at Draper University in California. To apply, submit a brief written proposal and short pitch video by Tuesday, March 31. Open to U.S. undergraduate students. Let’s see a Walsh team on that stage! | Submit Your Pitch | View the Rules 

Unlock the potential of the Brother Edmond Drouin Library with the new OhioLINK mobile app. Access your digital ID, CavsSEARCH, research help, and real-time account updates—all in one place. It is the library in your pocket. | Read More Online

Stop by and see the world through our students’ lenses! The Annual Photography Student Showing is happening today, Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Toot Global Learning Center, outside the studio in Room 220. The exhibit will be up starting at 1 p.m., and the official showing runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Come support our talented photography students and explore their creative perspectives. Whether you are a fellow student, faculty member, or curious, this is a great chance to enjoy art, meet the artists, and celebrate their hard work!

Dr. Amy J. Heston, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and a leader in advancing artificial intelligence initiatives at Walsh University, served as a featured panelist at the 2026 Continuous Improvement Summit hosted by Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University on Feb. 24. The summit drew over 200 attendees from institutions across the country. As part of the session “From Hype to Practice: Artificial Intelligence in Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness,” Dr. Heston joined experts to discuss the practical integration of AI in academic assessment and institutional effectiveness. Her contributions highlighted Walsh University’s growing leadership in leveraging emerging technologies to enhance student learning and data-informed decision-making across campus. 

Professor Jennifer Vokoun, Director of the Center for Sustainable Food Design and Associate Professor of Graphic Design, served as a guest lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis on Wednesday, Feb. 18, for the Design in Social Systems course. The interdisciplinary class brings together students to examine how designers address, influence, and inspire change around complex social systems. Professor Vokoun led an experiential lecture on sustainable food design, followed by a hands-on workshop in which students mapped their campus food system.

Chase Senk