Swanton Local Schools Announce Distinguished Alumni Inductees Class of 2022
At the September meeting of the Swanton Board of Education, District Superintendent Chris Lake announced the following two individuals who will be recognized as Distinguished Alumni of Swanton High School.
Ben Gombash – Class of 2007
Degrees Held:
- BS in Wildlife Science – OSU
- BS in Anthropology – OSU
- MS in Primate Behavior – Central Washington University
- MS in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics – University of Notre Dame
- PhD in Biological Sciences (May 2023) – University of Notre Dame
Ben Gombash has done extensive research and data collection on primate behavior and the rehabilitation of primates. He has presented in Indonesia on “Aggressive Interactions between Tourists and Long-tailed Macaques in the Ubud Monkey Forest.” He has worked as an interim Coordinator and site manager for the Alouatta Sanctuary dealing with various types of primates. Ben has worked for the Toledo Zoo, the US Forest Service, the Orangutan Health Project as well as holding several teaching positions at the university level.
Linda (Novak) Chambers – Class of 1984
Degrees Held:
1. Associates Degree in Physical Therapy – Owens Community College
2. BS in Physical Therapy – University of Findlay
3. MBA – University of Findlay
Linda (Novak) Chambers began her career in 1986 as a physical therapy aide and has moved steadily through various roles as a physical therapist and a manager to her current position as Associate Vice President of ProMedica Health Systems. Her current responsibilities include oversight of rehabilitation services including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient clinics. She is responsible for 400 rehab professionals across 31 locations that generate $190 million in revenue annually.
The induction will formally take place at the high school on January 27, 2023.
