Meet the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2017 inductees for the Warren County Career Center Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame are Melissa Morris Hershner and Chris Wilkins.
Melissa Morris Hershner completed the Data Processing program in 1986, graduated from Franklin High School, and took a job teaching typing at a trade school in Middletown. Over the next several years, she adapted to new technology and saw the business world change to computerized communications and operations. She credits her instructors, Denny Thayer and Christie Leis, with teaching her not just how to type and do office work, but how to be a professional and succeed.
In 1988, Melissa took a job in banking as a teller and worked her way up from a banking center manager at First Financial Bank in Lebanon to her current position as Marketing Manager at Telhio Credit Union. Melissa has never forgotten the career center as evidenced by her involvement as a member of the Warren County Career Center Education Foundation board. Melissa currently serves as the chair of this group and has volunteered her time and her knowledge in helping the WCCC Education Foundation raise money at the annual golf outing and give back to students through the scholarship program. She has also volunteered at various events to speak as a WCCC graduate. Melissa also serves on the board of the Abuse and Rape Crisis Shelter of Warren County; serves as an ambassador for the Lebanon Chamber, is on the Chamber’s golf outing committee, is involved with Junior Achievement, and served on the WeEmpower Women committee.
Chris Wilkins completed the Graphic Arts program and graduated from Lebanon High School in 2004. As a sophomore, he toured WCCC and when he met Graphic Arts instructor Howard Norris, he knew he wanted to be in the Graphic Arts class. He said Mr. Norris became a mentor and encouraged him to succeed.
After high school, Chris attended college but lost motivation. He remembered his lessons from Graphic Arts in teamwork, leadership and helping others. He began working with Butler County Developmental Disabilities and found a passion for the field. He was hired at Warren County Developmental Disabilities two years later and was there until June 2017. He now works at the Lebanon Office of the Southwestern Ohio Council of Governments as Finance Coordinator and is finishing his degree in organizational leadership, with a minor in relational communications. Chris is also a Staff Sergeant in the Ohio Air National Guard, a member of the 126 Intelligence Squadron, space intelligence flight Springfield, Ohio. His duties include collaborating with National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) and other national intelligence agencies. He enlisted in December 2011.