Three Arts & Sciences Alumni To Be Honored at Awards Gala

Three College of Arts & Sciences alumni will be honored at the 2016 Alumni Awards Gala at Ohio University.

Medal of Merit

Francis “Frank” Papay, BA ’75 Biological Sciences

Francis Papay

Celebrated plastic and reconstructive surgeon

• World-renowned surgeon and innovator currently completing a doctor of management degree and teaching at Case Western Reserve University
• Leads Cleveland Clinic’s craniofacial cleft palate surgical center
• Named as one of the United States’ Best Doctors specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. and a 2014 WebMD Health Hero
• Served as the chief craniofacial plastic surgeon during the first face transplant in America in 2008
• Aided in the creation of a neuromodulation device to help cure cluster and migraine headaches
• Published over 100 writings, helped invent ten medical device patents and serves on countless medical advisory boards and committees

Distinguished Service Award

Charles “Chuck” W. Beck, Jr., BS ’62 Mathematics

Charles Beck

Financial investment aficionado and outstanding OHIO contributor

• Retired chairman and CEO of Fiduciary Trust International of California, a wealth advising company
• Previously worked as the senior vice president of investment management, managing the bond department and client accounts
• Served as a trustee on the Ohio University Foundation Board and chaired the Grants Committee
• Mentors Bobcat investment groups in the College of Business, allowing groups to successfully invest millions of dollars of University money
• Continually supports the College of Health Sciences and Professions, ROTC, College of Fine Arts, School of Nursing and Kids on Campus Programs
• Regularly volunteers at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California

Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award

Travis Kidner

Travis Kidner, BS ’00 Chemistry Pre-Med and Biological Sciences

Acclaimed surgical oncologist

• Surgical oncologist and American Board of Surgery certified general surgeon working at Rox Cancer Center, a private medical corporation that focuses on cancer treatment through medical and radiation oncology
• Specializes in melanoma, breast cancer and solid tumors of the neck and abdomen
• Candidly speaks about the necessity of cancer screening and prevention on local news programs and The Doctors, an Emmy-winning TV show based on the Rox Cancer Center
• Awarded accolades like HealthTap’s Top Surgical Oncologist, first place in the 2009 Dr. Leon Morgenstern Great Debates in Clinical Medicine and the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, a grant that helps fund predoctoral or postdoctoral training
• Committed member of the OHIO Alumni Band, has contributed to groups like Bowling for Boobies and Miles for Melanoma, and volunteered to provide surgical care for locals in Pursat, Cambodia