MARIETTA, OHIO — The Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) Foundation honored attorney Zach Eddy and healthcare professional Callie Benedicts as the 2024 WSCO Distinguished Alumni at its annual reception Tuesday evening. This award, presented each year, celebrates graduates who embody the values of community service, and professional leadership in alignment with the college’s mission.
“Our Foundation is honored to recognize the achievements of Zach and Callie, whose contributions reflect some of the best of Washington State graduates,” said WSCO Foundation Director Megan Marion. “Their stories highlight the impact of education on personal and professional success and our hope is that they will inspire current and future students to pursue their own paths with purpose and resilience.”
A high-achieving attorney with a dedication to community service, Zach Eddy’s career reflects a strong foundation built during his time at Washington State College of Ohio. A former participant in WSCO’s College Credit Plus program, Zach attended college full-time during his junior and senior years at Fort Frye High School. By the age of 22, he had completed dual associate degrees in Liberal Arts Transfer and General Science Transfer from WSCO, a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Marietta College, and his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law, all with cum laude honors.
Zach launched his legal career by passing the Ohio and West Virginia bar exams and quickly made his mark in oil and gas law at a prominent Columbus firm. Currently, he serves as an attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, a top-ranked national firm, where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and energy law. Recognized for his dedication to his clients and his profession, he was honored with the “New Attorney of the Year Pro Bono Award” by the Legal Aid Society of Columbus in 2018. Additionally, he is a two-time Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Star, a distinction awarded to fewer than three percent of Ohio attorneys.
Alongside his professional accomplishments, Zach is deeply committed to community involvement. He has volunteered his time with several nonprofit organizations, including Hunger Solutions of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the Dayton Area Logistics Association. In 2023, he joined the WSCO Foundation Board of Directors, advocating for the college that served as the launching point for his distinguished career.
With over a decade of experience in stroke care, clinical data, and community outreach, Callie Benedict has dedicated her career to improving community health and supporting patient advocacy. Callie graduated from WSCO in 2020 with an Associate in General Science Transfer degree. Prior to her studies at WSCO, she earned a Surgical Technology/Technologist certificate from the Washington County Career Center in 2012 and an Emergency Medical Technology certificate from Mid-East Career and Technology Centers in 2019.
Callie’s career includes significant contributions in both clinical and educational roles. She served as a Neuro Surgical Technologist and Stroke Program Coordinator at Camden Clark Medical Center from 2012 to 2024, where she founded the annual Stroke Community Conference to raise awareness and provide resources for stroke prevention and care. Today, Callie works as a Level 1 Trauma Data Analyst at Intermountain Health, where she continues to make strides in improving trauma care and outcomes.
Recognized for her service, Callie was named EMT of the Year in 2019 by Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department and still currently serves today. In 2023, she was also a Top 10 finalist for the American Stroke Association’s Stroke Hero Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment to stroke education and patient advocacy. Callie is an active member of her community, regularly presenting at local schools, supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, and fundraising for the Garrett Scott Music Program.
