UToledo Alumni Association Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni

The University of Toledo Alumni Association is honoring 14 Rockets with its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing their outstanding professional achievements, leadership and service that reflect the enduring impact of a UToledo education.

Since 1939, the Distinguished Alumni Awards have celebrated graduates who exemplify excellence in their professions while making meaningful contributions to their communities and to UToledo. This year’s awardees demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of others through their careers in industries spanning business, engineering, healthcare, law and more.

From left, Dr. Pamela Schlembach ’89, ’97, Susan Palmer ’70, ’72 M.Ed. and Matt Rubin ’11, ’13 M.B.A. Schlembach will receive the Gold T Award, Palmer will receive the Daniel J. Saevig Blue T Award, and Rubin will receive the Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Award at the UToledo Alumni Association’s annual Homecoming Gala on Friday, Oct. 9.

Awardees will be celebrated at the UToledo Alumni Association’s annual Homecoming Gala on Friday, Oct. 9.

“These remarkable alumni embody the values of The University of Toledo through their leadership, innovation and commitment to serving others,” said William Pierce, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving and executive director of the UToledo Alumni Association. “Their accomplishments reflect the transformative power of a UToledo education, and we are proud to celebrate the impact they continue to make in their professions, communities and beyond.”

Gold T, Daniel J. Saevig Blue T and Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum:

• Pamela Schlembach ’89, ’97 will receive the Gold T Award, recognizing alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions while providing distinguished service to the University, their communities or the nation. Schlembach earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in 1987 and a medical degree in 1989. She currently works as a professor and associate medical director for radiation oncology at the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• Susan Palmer ’70, ’72 M.Ed. will receive the Daniel J. Saevig Blue T Award, recognizing exceptional service to the UToledo Alumni Association and the University through leadership, volunteerism and community involvement. Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1970 and a master’s degree in education in 1972. She retired from the Toledo Museum of Art.
• Matt Rubin ’11, ’13 M.B.A. will receive the Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Award, recognizing an alumnus under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional achievement early in their career. Rubin earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2011 and a master’s degree in business administration in 2013. He currently works as a principal at Crane Development.

Distinguished Alumni Awards:

• Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education: Ashley Oliker ’06, owner and member-in-charge at Oliker Law LLC. Oliker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2006.
• John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation: Will Lucas ’14, founder and CEO of A William Lucas Company. Lucas earned a Bachelor of Applied Technology and Associate of Technical Study in 2014.
• College of Engineering: Debra Dauer ’81, retired from Owens Corning. Dauer earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1981.
• College of Health and Human Services: Matt Bell ’24, ’25 M.S.W. founder and CEO of Team Recovery.
• Jesup Scott Honors College: Joseph Bauer ’75, ’81 J.D., retired from Jones Day and the Lubrizol Corporation. Bauer earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1975 and a juris doctor in 1981.
• College of Law: Michelle Kranz ’93 J.D., founding partner at Zoll & Kranz LLC. Kranz earned a juris doctor in 1993.
• College of Medicine and Life Sciences: Dr. Patricia Metting ’75, ’80, retired from the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Metting earned a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies in 1975 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology in 1980.
• College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Dr. Nirdesh Gupta ’08, managing director at Cedars-Sinai Technology Ventures. Gupta earned a Doctor of Medicinal Chemistry in 2008.
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Jennifer Strauss ’06, executive director and vice president at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo. Strauss earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2006.
• University College: Ken Wise ’85, managing director and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners. Wise earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1985.
• UToledo Health Distinguished Alumni Healthcare Provider Award: Dr. Amira Gohara, professor and dean emerita of the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Gohara completed the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program at the former Medical College of Ohio in 1973.

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards or the 2026 Homecoming Gala, go to the Alumni Association website.