Englewood, Ohio – Benjamin Davis,  a resident of Miamisburg and elementary school art teacher for Miamisburg City Schools, was inducted into the Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 6, 2016, during the All Advisory Dinner. Davis, a 1990 graduate of Miamisburg High School, attended the Commercial Art program at MVCTC (when it was known as Montgomery County Joint Vocational School).

Ben took his love of art and turned it into a rewarding career introducing thousands of Miamisburg school children to the beauty, enjoyment, and appreciation of art. After MCJVS/MVCTC Ben attended the Columbus Colege of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio and later Wright State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art in 1995. He returned to Wright State for his Certificate in Art Education in 1997. 

Ben has been employed as an Elementary Art Teacher in Miamisburg City Schools for the past 18 years.  He plans curriculum for his various art classes and teaches 800 students each week in three of Miamisburg's elementary schools -- Kinder School, Bear School, and Bauer School.  In addition, Ben plans three art festivals a year at the three elementary schools.  He collaborates with other art teachers in the district to present the fine arts festival, featuring students' artwork throughout the district each spring at Miamisburg High School.  He is actively involved in professional art organizations and is the 2016 recipient of the Ohio Art Education Association Outstanding Art Teacher Award.

In his free time, Ben volunteers at a local soup kitchen type restaurant in Miamisburg called One Bistro along with his fellow staff members at Kinder Elementary School and is part of a singing acoustic duo called Ben and Pete who perform at various establishments and often appear gratis for special events in the community.

As stated in his nomination, “Ben is a perfect example of how one can learn the basics of their profession in Career Technical Education and then, by cultivating that interest, take it to the highest level by teaching it to others.  While some might view career technical education as a dead end to entry level jobs, Ben shows us how it can be a pathway to fulfillment and success.“

Ben shared the following about his MCJVS/MVCTC education, “The education I received at MCJVS/MVCTC was not solely focused on career skills, my instructors also taught us life skills.  My senior Commercial Art Instructor, Mr. Jack Wellbaum, sincerely cared for each of his students. He would often speak to us about life and the importance of family, values, and responsibility.  Mr. Wellbaum wasn’t just preparing us for a career in Graphic Design, but you could tell he wanted us to be successful in life.”

The ten new MVCTC Hall of Fame members received a special crystal award presented to them by MVCTC Superintendent Dr. Nick Weldy and Director of Instruction Mrs. Rhonda Phillips at a dinner meeting attended by over 350 program advisory members. Their portraits will be displayed in the school and their names will join the other 49 names engraved on a perpetual Hall of Fame plaque in the student activity center. MVCTC Hall of Fame members are inducted every five years from nominations that come from educators, family members, business, and employers. Mrs. Cathy Hutton, Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce Director; Mr. Eddie Mowen, Editor for the Register-Herald, and Ohio Representative Jeff Rezabek judged the Hall of Fame nominations this year.

Dr. Nick Weldy, MVCTC Superintendent, stated “We are proud to honor our returning alumni who have been so successful after leaving the Miami Valley Career Technology Center! Their former instructors provided a firm foundation to assist them in building careers that have blossomed. I appreciate the fact that all of the inductees returned to campus from across the United States to participate in the ceremony and show their dedication to our current mission of educating students to be career and college ready. They serve as inspiring role models for our current students. I congratulate each of our inductees and wish them the best of luck in their quest for continued success.”

For more information about MVCTC, please visit www.mvctc.com.

For over 45-years, MVCTC has been providing career technical education for 27 partner school districts encompassing five counties, including Darke, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren Counties.  MVCTC is dedicated to providing in-demand workforce training for youth, adults, and organizations in the Miami Valley. 

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