48th Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education held at BGSU

March 22, 2025

The Optimal Aging Institute (OAI) and BGSU hosted the 48th Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education conference on March 20-21, 2025, at BGSU. More than 200 academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students from Ohio attended. BGSU excitedly welcomed back alumni as participants, presenters, and sponsors.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Dawn Carr, Professor in the Department of Sociology and the Director of the Claude Pepper Center at Florida State University, was the Thursday keynote speaker and presented “The Role of Psychological Resilience in Coping with Spousal Loss.” The presentation was well received. One participant noted that the presentation “was very enlightening.”

Dr. Emilia McCuen, Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at BGSU, was the Friday keynote speaker and presented “Are the Golden Years Really Golden? Addressing Identity in the Aging Population Through Value and Purpose.” Participants shared many positive comments. One said, “This was the best keynote I have heard.”

BGSU Faculty Presenters

Several BGSU faculty took part in the conference as presenters. Dr. Hee Soon Lee, Professor of Social Work, Dr. Bob du Lee, Professor of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Dr. Tawiona Brown, Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Dr. Stephanie Wladkowski, Professor of Social Work, and Dr. Brent Archer, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Student Presenters

BGSU student presenters included Elisabeth Baende in Human Development and Family Studies who participated in the Ohio Department of Aging’s Scholars in Aging Program, Yvonne Furaha, graduate student in Health Services Administration, Jori Velichko, graduate student in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Jenae Fisher, Social Work student.

Conference Award Recipients

BGSU and OAI proudly announce that Dr. Cynthia Spitler, an Associate Teaching Professor of Gerontology and former OAI Board Member, was awarded Educator of the Year. Additionally, Jenae Fisher, a Social Work student, earned the Arnedia Smith Outstanding Undergraduate Paper award.

Special Guests in Attendance at the Conference

Special guests at the conference included representatives from the Ohio Department on Aging, President Rodney Rogers, Dean Jim Ciesla, College of Health and Human Services, Sic Sic and Freddy and Freida.