Regional arts guardian Jeff Chaddock to be celebrated as OHIO’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year

Ohio University’s annual Alumni Awards honor graduates who have demonstrated achievement, leadership, and service to their alma mater.

At the top of this year’s slate of honorees is Alumnus of the Year Jeff Chaddock, BSC ’88, a lifelong resident of Appalachian Ohio, financial advisor, philanthropist, and community advocate with decades of dedication as a champion for the arts and the region he calls home. 

Chaddock is Chief Executive Officer of Envisage Wealth, an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial. For more than 35 years, he has helped families and foundations build resources to create opportunities for human flourishing. His professional excellence has been nationally recognized — including placement in 2024 on Barron’s list of the Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams and Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams.

Yet those who know Chaddock say his success extends far beyond finance. 

“Jeff’s advocacy for regional enrichment is a natural extension of his professional expertise,” said Jennifer Bowie, AVP of Alumni Relations, and Executive Director of the Ohio University Alumni Association. “What inspires me is the way he has partnered with university and nonprofit organizations to cultivate inclusive communities in which diverse populations can connect and thrive. He is leading the way in demonstrating the role that thoughtful, engaged philanthropy plays in our region’s prosperity.”

That philanthropic leadership has been visible across the community, from supporting the Dairy Barn Arts Center, Kennedy Museum of Art, and Athens Conservancy, to guiding transformative growth at Passion Works Studio. These local programs connect thousands of OHIO students each year with real-world, service-based opportunities. 

Last year, a transformative gift established the Jeffrey D. Chaddock and Mark A. Morrow College of Fine Arts, strengthening the University’s role as an arts incubator and solidifying arts partnerships for the future.

“Jeff’s sustained gifts of time, talents, and treasure will have a lasting impact,” said Zach Horn, Chair of the Awards Committee for the Ohio University Alumni Association. “It is a privilege to be part of this selection process and learn about the wonderful things that Bobcats have done for our university and for the world.”

Alongside Chaddock, a dozen other Bobcats and two OHIO Athletics teams will be honored for their excellence, leadership, and service. Together, the 2025 Alumni Award recipients represent the diverse and lasting global contributions of OHIO graduates.

The 2025 Alumni Awards Ceremony will be held in Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 17, during Homecoming weekend. The event is free and open to the University community.

Registration is requested and appreciated.

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2025 Alumni Awards Recipients

Alumnus of the Year
Jeffery Chaddock, BSC ’88

Medal of Merit
Dr. Milbert O. Brown Jr., MA ’82
Dr. Martin T. Tyler, BS ’64
Suzanne Hargrove, BSC ’86
Jonathan Walsh, BSJ ’95

Distinguished Service Award
Angela (Hazlett) Krile, BSJ ’97
Ronald Calhoun, BBA ’72

Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award
Margaret Gatonye, MA ’20, MSES ’20

Honorary Alumni Award
Dr. Hugh and Nikki Sherman

The Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame
2004 and 2005 Volleyball Teams
Rudolph Rott, BSM ’19
Carime Reinhart, BS ’08
Cody Walters, BSPE ’16