For Immediate Release: July 10, 2015
Contact: Renée Rybak Lang, 703.740.4841, reneerl@nasbe.org

Former Ohio Board Member Robin C. “Rob” Hovis Honored for Unwavering Commitment to Education

Alexandria, Va. – Former National Association of State Boards of Education Secretary-Treasurer and member of the State Board of Education of Ohio Robin C. “Rob” Hovis will receive NASBE’s David Kysilko Award for his steadfast dedication to state boards of education and their important work.

Hovis served on the State Board of Education of Ohio with distinction from 2004 to 2012, first by appointment and then as an elected member. Hovis also served two years as NASBE secretary-treasurer in 2011 and ensured the organization’s financial solvency during a challenging time. “His quiet but firm voice of caution kept the Board of Directors focused on financial challenges without losing optimism,” said NASBE President Mary Lord, who nominated Hovis.

As a state board member, Hovis was a strong defender of science education, and he participated in controversial debates and votes on the teaching of evolution versus intelligent design. He made addressing the subpar performance of urban schools a primary board concern during his tenure, leading the establishment of the Urban Schools Committee in 2011 and chairing its first meeting.

A former teacher of vocational agriculture and adult education, he also worked with the legislature to improve teacher education, the public school funding system, and financial literacy education. Hovis has been a financial adviser for 27 years in Millersburg, Ohio, and has led a weekly prison Bible study for 15 years.

The 2015 David Kysilko Award will be presented this October at NASBE’s national conference in Baltimore, MD. Learn more about the conference.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, promote excellence in the education of all students, and ensure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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