GAMBIER – One of Knox County’s most influential families was honored at this year’s Kenyon Snowflake Gala.
Mark and Denise Ramser, of Gambier, were given the William A. Stroud Jr. Award for Community Service on Friday night. The annual award is meant to honor people and families in Knox County who have dedicated their lives to bettering the community.
For the Ramser family, this is undoubtedly the case.
Mark, who has served as president of Ohio Cumberland Gas Company since 1987, has spearheaded revitalization projects across the county. He played a major role in bringing Knox County’s three institutions of higher learning – Central Ohio Technical College, Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University – to downtown Mount Vernon. He also led efforts to establish the Escape Zone at 1 Mansfield Ave., formerly the Ohio National Guard Armory.
Recently, Mark donated land to the Knox County 4-H Planning Committee, so it could be used to house the organization’s new activity center. He also donated funds to help offset construction costs.
The list goes on. Mark has quietly – and generously – contributed to a long list of local projects in recent decades, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said. His vision and philanthropic efforts have allowed Knox County to blossom during that time.
“Mark Ramser has an ability to look at a project; to look at neighborhoods; to look at highways; to look at recreational areas; and he makes good comments, and he knows where he can contribute,” Mavis said in an honorary video created by Kokosing River Productions, which was presented on Friday night.
“I think that’s a special attribute of Mark Ramser, is that he looks at a picture and knows where to put more paint. That’s what’s special about him.”
Denise has played an equally important role in furthering the Ramser family’s core value: service.
A graduate of Findlay College, she taught kindergarten classes for seven years at Mount Vernon’s West School. While raising the family’s three children, Denise served as a cub scout and girl scout leader, as well as a vacation Bible school director. She currently volunteers at Knox Starting Point, Epworth United Methodist Church (where she serves as pianist and secretary) and Wiggin Street Elementary School.
Mavis called the Ramsers “Knox County community leaders, humanitarians, philanthropists and volunteers extraordinaire.”
“Those who have worked with Denise and Mark believe their organizations and programs are better and stronger for their hard work and wise counsel,” Mavis told the crowd.
The Ramsers received a standing ovation as they accepted the award on Friday. Mark told those in attendance that his family was grateful to receive the honor.
“We really have enjoyed our involvement with the three colleges and universities here in Knox County, and are glad that we were able to participate in bringing a presence in all three to downtown Mount Vernon. I wish I had the time to say something about everybody in this room, because I think after looking at the guest list, we know most everybody,” Mark said with a smile.
“But it’s just been a wonderful place to live, to raise our children. We really appreciate how everybody works together here in Knox County – with businesses, with nonprofits – and just appreciate all the opportunities that we have.”
Mark said he knew Bill Stroud, the award’s namesake. Stroud was a longtime Knox County resident and leader, who died in 2011 at the age of 90. He was known for being passionate about all things Knox County, as evidenced by his involvement in nearly every corner of the community.
Stroud was the president of First-Knox National Bank and chairman of the Kenyon College Board of Trustees. He served on boards at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the Knox County Foundation (formerly the Mount Vernon/Knox County Community Trust), 4-H, the Knox County Symphony, and the Knox County Chamber of Commerce. He was also elected to the Federal Reserve Board of Cleveland.
The Kenyon Gala Committee established the William A. Stroud Jr. Award for Community Service nine years ago, as a way to honor Stroud’s legacy of local involvement. Mark said he and Denise were honored to receive an award in his name.
“I’m just glad that we were able to receive this award that’s in the name of Bill Stroud, because he really was a wonderful human being,” he said.
In addition to Mark’s involvement in local projects, he also serves on a variety of boards, including the Knox County Foundation, Camp Cornish Foundation, Knox County Historical Society and Park National Corporation. He is a 1975 graduate of Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in business.
Sam Barone, executive director of the Knox County Foundation, said Mark’s vision has been instrumental to the foundation’s development over the years.
“I think he’ll go down in history as one of the most visionary and one of the most effective leaders the organization has ever had,” Barone said in the honorary video.
As Denise noted after Friday’s ceremony, Mark’s family goes seven generations deep in Knox County. His relatives (on his mother’s side) first moved to Knox County before 1850.
That’s why community service has always been so important to the Ramser family, Mark said. Knox County is – and will always be – home.
“I’ve lived here all my life, so it’s just great to be able to be here, raise our kids here, participate in business and social activities here…” Mark said. “People get along really great together here in Knox County, they work together well, and so it makes it very enjoyable to be involved.”
The ninth annual Kenyon Snowflake Gala featured dinner and an award presentation, followed by a live auction. Thousands of dollars were raised. All proceeds will go towards Food for the Hungry, a local organization that raises money for needy families and individuals in Knox County.
The total donation amount for the gala will be announced during Food for the Hungry’s annual drive on Saturday, Dec. 14. Those interested in learning more about the drive, and how to get involved, can click here.
