This year, Peggy and John Stratton, of New Philadelphia, are the 2022 recipients of the Kent State Tuscarawas Community Service Award. This recognition is given to valued members of the community who have generously made our community and at Tuscarawas a better place.
Providing scholarship support and educational opportunities to area students have become a passion for the Strattons at New Philadelphia High School, Buckeye Career Center and Kent State Tuscarawas.
In 1993, John Stratton was on the founding board of the New Philadelphia High Quaker Foundation. The foundation was established to support and promote academic and educational programs as well as alumni activities in the New Philadelphia School District. The foundation has awarded 1,322 scholarships worth $2,176,530 to New Philadelphia students.
He also founded the Buckeye Foundation at Buckeye Career Center in 1999. The foundation awards scholarships and grants to graduating Buckeye students to help them further their education or purchase tools required for their chosen trade. A total of 429 scholarships worth $876,000 have been awarded to Buckeye students by the foundation.
Together, they recently established the Peggy and John Stratton Scholarship Fund to support Kent State Tuscarawas students and Buckeye Career Center night school students.
John Stratton, 1952 New Philadelphia High graduate, began his career at Joy Manufacturing and Warner & Swasey Company, now Gradall, where he become a master machinist through an apprenticeship program. He also attended Fenn College, now Cleveland State University, and then became a business entrepreneur, starting multiple businesses and traveling to over 24 countries. Peggy Stratton graduated from Carrollton High School in 1951 and studied math at Ohio Wesleyan University. She later worked at Lauren International in computer programming.
The Kent State Tuscarawas 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree is Kevin Korns. This honor recognizes the professional and community accomplishments of alumni from Kent State Tuscarawas and is the highest acknowledgement bestowed on a Kent State Tuscarawas graduate. Korns has excelled both in his career and in service to our community.
Korns serves on the Tuscarawas Alumni Association Board. He is also a member of Dover Exchange Club, currently serving as past president, and the Dover Exchange Club Children’s Foundation, serving as foundation chair.
At Dover Faith United Methodist Church, Korns is on the board of trustees and co-founder of the church soup kitchen. Currently, he is a member of Dover City Council representing Ward 2.
Korns retired from Walmart after 25 years, serving as Walmart Academy Manager for Southeast/Central Ohio during his last position. Over the years, Korns held many store management positions and was a district manager and fashion/home merchandiser.
In 1985, he graduated from Kent State Tuscarawas with Associate Degree in Business Management Technology. Korns resides in Dover with his dog Dakota.
“We are so grateful for the support and dedication of these caring and compassionate individuals,” said Brad Bielski, Kent State Tuscarawas dean and chief administrative officer. “Their kind efforts are a tremendous investment in our students, campus and community.”