Seneca County shows appreciation for educators

TIFFIN — More than 225 guests attended the 2025 Educators Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday at Camden Falls Reception Center. The event, hosted by the Seneca County Collaborative, celebrates the start of a new school year, welcomes new educators to the community and honors outstanding contributions to education in Seneca County. Two individuals were recognized for their exceptional service, leadership and overall impact on education in the county. Several state-level elected officials were in attendance, including a representative from the office of Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and state Rep. Gary Click, along with several local officials. After a breakfast prepared by Carmie's catering staff, Seneca County Collaborative President and CEO Bryce Riggs spoke briefly about the importance of education in the community. "I think what makes our community great is that no matter what you want to do or to be, you can find it here," Riggs said. He added that one thing that makes the educational community in Seneca County stand out is its collaborative spirit. Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson, a former educator, also addressed the crowd. "All of us at one point in time in our lives have been inspired by a teacher, likely to do what we are doing now," Wilkinson said. He went on to say that for some, the inspiration may have led to becoming educators themselves. "What they don't tell you is that all of that time you spend preparing, it doesn't end," Wilkinson concluded. "Every year, when you think you have some free time, it is taken up by being creative or planning ahead, trying to remain on that cutting edge. There is no greater thing you can provide your community than a good education." An outstanding biologist The recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Educator Award was Dr. Pamela Faber, a professor of biology at Heidelberg University. Faber, who is entering her 39th year at the university, played a key role in establishing the Barlow Body Donor Lab on campus just a year after she arrived. Today, the lab is a signature component of Heidelberg's science curriculum. According to Faber, several of her former students who went on to medical school have returned to say they were the only ones in their class who had experience doing a cadaver prosection. Dr. Courtney DeMayo Pugno, vice president and provost at Heidelberg, spoke about Faber's legacy, saying there isn't a part of campus she hasn't influenced. "She knows everything about the institution and how we operate, and is always willing to share that knowledge," Pugno said. Dr. Bryan Smith, a professor of biology at Heidelberg and one of Faber's former students, recalled taking her class in the fall of 1987. "I had the good fortune of taking an introduction to biology course with Dr. Faber in the Fall of 1987, and I very quickly recognized that her standards were high but fair," Smith said. Upon accepting the award, Faber expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career. "As mentioned earlier, this field is not something you do in isolation, and it truly takes a family of support, something I have received a lot of in the last 38 years," Faber said. Faber holds the Susan C. Wolf Endowed Chair in Natural Sciences, has earned six academic degrees, including three while teaching, and is a licensed counselor. She also volunteers with the Red Cross and CERT, and actively promotes STEM education throughout the region. First female superintendent Also honored at the breakfast was Brenda Luhrig, superintendent of the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, who received the 2025 Above and Beyond Award. Deputy Superintendent Todd Martin introduced Luhrig as someone whose impact reaches far beyond Seneca County. "Throughout her time as a teacher, principal, deputy superintendent, and her current superintendent position, she has displayed a deep passion for job, her calling— education," Martin said. Colleagues praised Luhrig for breaking barriers as the first female superintendent at NCOESC. Her son described her as "persevering," a word he often associates with her. A former classmate shared a lighthearted memory from seventh-grade algebra, joking that Luhrig would sometimes conveniently fall ill during that specific class. When accepting the award, Luhrig shared that she plans to retire in December. She reflected on her journey and the obstacles she overcame. "I also would like to share that I did not grow up in a very supportive household, and frequently was told that I would not amount to anything," Luhrig said. Rather than letting those words define her, Luhrig said she used them as motivation to succeed. "So if you don't think your work in education is important, I am where I am today because of two individuals: One of which was a very mean teacher, who I opted to never be like, and another who was so very inspiring he pushed me to continue to want more," Luhrig said. Following the ceremony, educators had the opportunity to network.