FAO Celebrates 2011 Child of Appalachia – Dr. David Scholl
Photo Courtesy of Michelle Jeffrey: Front row from left – Richard Hwang, Athens County’s 7th grade Child of Appalachia Writing Contest winner; Ishan Matta, Athens County’s 5th grade Child of Appalachia Writing Contest winner. Back row from left – Cara Dingus Brook, President and CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; Jeannette Hellkamp, Walmart Marketing Manager; Sam Miller, Ohio University student; Laikyn Lovas, Hocking County’s 8th grade Child of Appalachia Writing Contest winner; Riley Kelch, Hocking County’s 6th grade Child of Appalachia Writing Contest winner; and Dr. David Scholl, President of Diagnostic Hybrids & Senior VP, Commercial Operations at Quidel Corporation in San Diego, California.
Local Writing Contest Winners Pay Tribute to Dr. Scholl
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) announced this year’s Child of Appalachia Honoree today at a celebratory luncheon at the Brass Ring Country Club and Golf Course in Logan, OH. Dr. David Scholl, President of Diagnostic Hybrids & Senior VP, Commercial Operations at Quidel Corporation in San Diego, California, was honored for his contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the Appalachian Ohio region.
The Foundation’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® campaign honors Appalachian Ohio’s outstanding citizens for their commitment to making a difference in their community and our region. Their stories serve as examples of our citizens’ ability to succeed while emphasizing pride in Appalachian Ohio and the importance of educational opportunities to life, business, and community achievement. Past honorees include Governor Ted and Mrs. Frances Strickland, Senator John and Mrs. Annie Glenn, Leona Hughes, Wayne White, David Wilhelm, Nancy Zimpher, Bob Evans, Mike Brooks, and last year’s honorees, Ambassador John and Mrs. Mary Lee Ong, and the late Ora E. Anderson.
“The Appalachian Ohio region has been fortunate to have the partnership, support, and innovation of David Scholl,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO’s President and CEO. “He is a leader in both business and the community and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is pleased to celebrate him as this year’s Child of Appalachia Honoree.”
Dr. David Scholl served as President and CEO of Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. (DHI) in Athens, Ohio from 1995 to 2009. One of DHI’s early technology founders, Dr. Scholl joined the company as Director of Research in 1983. Under his leadership, DHI grew from a four-person startup to the Inc. 500 list, emerging as a world leader in cell- and MAb-based diagnostics. This dynamic growth led to its sale in February 2010 to Quidel Corporation. Dr. Scholl currently serves on the boards of the Ohio Third Frontier Advisory Commission, BioOhio, Ohio University’s Edison Biotechnology Institute and two non-profits: the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (FIRST) and the National Graves’ Disease Foundation. He is also a trustee of the Ohio University Foundation. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Central Ohio Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Life Sciences, and in 2006 was awarded BioOhio’s Bioscience Leadership Award.
“It is a tremendous honor to join the ranks of past Child of Appalachia honorees,” said David Scholl. “My wife Valerie and I chose to make Appalachian Ohio our family’s home and have been rewarded by the educational, business, and community opportunities available to us here. The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a valuable resource for our region and I look forward to continued partnership in bringing others the same opportunities I have had myself.”
At today’s luncheon, Dr. Scholl was introduced by Logan High School alumnus and Ohio University Junior Sam Miller and was honored by students from Hocking County, the site of the luncheon, and Athens County, home to DHI. Reading from their winning I’m a Child of Appalachia Writing Contest entries, fifth grader Ishan Matta of Morrison Elementary School, sixth grader Riley Kelch of Logan-Hocking Middle School, seventh grader Richard Hwang of Athens Middle School, and eighth grader Laikyn Lovas of Logan-Hocking Middle School, shared what they would invent and what problem it would solve in honor of Dr. Scholl’s pioneering spirit. FAO also announced it will make a $10,000 grant in the names of Dr. David and Mrs. Valerie Scholl to recognize and support outstanding guidance counselors for their contributions to the success of Appalachian Ohio students in pursuing post-secondary education, in commemoration of Dr. Scholl’s award.
FAO is especially grateful for the partnership of its ICAN! members who support the Foundation and its work through gifts to the I’m a Child of Appalachia Network (ICAN!). The I’m a Child of Appalachia luncheon, and all of FAO’s work throughout the year, is only possible because of ICAN! members, especially the Foundation’s ICAN! Corporate Partnership. The special support from ICAN! Corporate Partners – AEP Ohio, AK Steel, Duke Energy, Diagnostic Hybrids: A Quidel Company, ED MAP, Inc., The Graham Family, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, McNational, Inc., Ohio CAT, Oxford Mining, Rocky Brands, Tata Sons Limited, and the Walmart Foundation – is invaluable to providing access to educational opportunities and enriching quality of life.
During its 12 years of service, FAO has developed tools and partnerships to combat regional problems, including investing over $1.7 million in grants and scholarships to meet unique needs and opportunities in communities across Appalachian Ohio. To support FAO by joining ICAN!, visit appalachianohio.org or call 740.753.1111.
