Patrick Denbow in front of the OHIO mural.
By Regina Yoong
Ohio University alumnus Patrick Denbow is putting his expertise in local and regional planning and development to work for Planning and Development Services of Kenton County.
Denbow’s primary responsibilities as a senior planner involve providing the professional staff for the Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission in Kenton County in Kentucky. His daily duties include meeting with applicants and developers, preparing staff reports, providing recommendations to the Board and Commission, and presenting at public hearings.
He earned a B.S in Geography—Urban Planning from the College of Arts & Sciences at OHIO in 2005.
Career Highlights
After graduating from OHIO, Denbow went to work for Muskingum County in Ohio. There he graduated from the Leadership Muskingum program and organized a county-wide business networking tour. He attained American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification, a nationwide verification of planners’ qualifications.
He also had the opportunity to be the city planner for his hometown of Zanesville, Ohio, for more than nine years, helping to create the first ever comprehensive plan for the City of Zanesville.
Denbow and his wife, Kelly, enjoying OHIO marching 110 at the football game.
Experience at OHIO
Denbow says his OHIO classes were “invaluable to me as an urban planner.” His World Economic Geography and Urban Geography with Dr. Kim Yeong-Hyun was especially relevant to his career working within and understanding the various nuances of urban environments. Denbow’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartography with Dr. James Dyer laid strong foundations for him to “create maps for presentations and project analysis,” he adds.
“An education in arts and sciences provides an individual with a broad range of knowledge that all works together to create a well-rounded student. In addition to the major coursework, the required electives are relevant and beneficial in the creation of a solid education,” Denbow says.
Denbow mentions that one of the best features of attending OHIO is having access to what he believes to be some of the finest educators in the industry, namely, Mike Kline (Zanesville Campus), Dr. Kim, and Dr. Nancy Bain. Bain, who was Denbow’s first Environmental Geography class professor, left a deep impression in Denbow’s life.
“She once sought me out in one of my classes just because she was leaving on vacation and wanted to make sure she went over my list of classes for the next quarter before she left. It was this kind of caring compassion, and giving the extra effort, that will always stand out to me when I think back on Ohio University,” he says.
Fun fact: Denbow met his wife, Kelly, who was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Mathematics at the same time at OHIO.
“Ohio University is a special place. Nowhere else can one find the perfect combination of major university amenities with a personal touch that makes the student feel truly important and appreciated. This package is all wrapped up in an amazing campus and a truly one-of-a kind city. I have nothing but the fondest memories of my time at Ohio University and look for any opportunity to get back to campus,” he says.
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