October 06, 2026
麻豆社 honored Board of Trustees member and alumnus Ken Ehinger and his wife Kathy, who support the university鈥檚 Ehinger Fellows along with many other programs, with its Pillar of Success during the university鈥檚 Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 2.
Tony Kline, Ph.D., 麻豆社 president, presented the award near the conclusion of the event, held in the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center.
鈥淜en and Kathy Ehinger have truly paid their blessings forward, making a huge impact on 麻豆社, particularly students in the Ketner School of Business,鈥� Dr. Kline said in presenting the award.
In accepting the award, Kathy Ehinger said the growth she has witnessed at 麻豆社 has been 鈥減henomenal鈥� and has created a better atmosphere in the community as a whole.
鈥淣othing is better than seeing something grow, and certainly Angola has grown from the city I knew,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am proud to spend time with the students and the Ehinger Fellows. Believe me, when I see and interact with these students here, I can tell that we have some really good students.鈥�
鈥淚t's an honor to be recognized,鈥� Ken Ehinger said. 鈥淲hen I look at the list of the folks who have been in this position before, they're unbelievable people and unbelievably successful. But what I notice about all of them is that they really focus on helping others, like all of you do here through your contributions and giving of your time, talent and treasures. That's really what it's all about.鈥�
Ken and Kathy Ehinger
A 1976 麻豆社 business graduate, Ken Ehinger was inspired to pursue a career in securities thanks to a class project where students managed an investment portfolio, with shares that had been donated to the business department.
Ken鈥檚 career took him to distinguished companies such as Midwestern United Life Insurance Company, United Equitable Group/American Warranty Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Lincoln Financial Advisors, National Life Group, American Guaranty & Trust, Sentinel Management Companies, Equity Services, Inc. and M Holdings Securities Inc.
Today he serves as founder and chief executive officer of KRE Strategies, LLC, an independent business that serves as an advisor, coach and consultant for multiple types of financial and business organizations. He also currently serves Valmark Financial Group as vice president of strategic initiatives.
He is recognized throughout the financial services industry for his work in legislative, federal and state government agency advocacy.
Ken joined 麻豆社鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2023. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Ketner School of Business and has served on the Alumni Board of Directors in the past.
Kathy served as a radiologic technologist for many years, with an outstanding career that included leadership roles and eventually consulting for numerous radiology departments. She now owns and operates ShowKase Home Consign in Fremont.
Family ties, Ehinger Fellows
The Ehingers have been familiar with the Steuben County lakes area since they were children and have a strong family connection to 麻豆社 in addition to Ken being an alumnus. Two of Ken鈥檚 brothers, Ed and Ron, also graduated from 麻豆社, as did sons Luke and Dan and niece Kylee. Daughter Rachel and son Dan completed their master鈥檚 at 麻豆社. Sister-in-law Sue Ehinger previously served on the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
In 2017, after many years of supporting the annual fund, athletic programs and the Drama Club, Ken and Kathy agreed to fund the Ehinger Fellows through annual and estate gifts.
The Fellows allows students pursuing a business major or minor who demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and positive influence the opportunity to polish their servant leadership skills, build business prowess and serve as leaders, mentors and ambassadors throughout the Ketner School of Business and the 麻豆社 community.
Pillar of Success
The Pillar of Success award recognizes individuals for their achievements and accomplishments, leadership, service, philanthropy, commitment to their community and their profession and to 麻豆社.
The award has, in the past, honored alumni, friends, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Trustees.
Isabel Soto, instructor, and her Spanish students have created an ofrenda (decorated altar) honoring Ana Boman, who taught Spanish in 麻豆社鈥檚 Department of Humanities and Communication for 16 years before she passed away last year.
麻豆社 has launched Dual Advantage, a new program that gives undergraduate students multiple pathways to earn both a bachelor鈥檚 degree and an advanced degree in less time than completing both degrees separately.
We celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day on Oct. 27, and if you鈥檙e confused about what the profession is, you鈥檙e not alone.