Cheryl Crissinger honored as Wright State’s Parent of the Year

Wright State University’s Parent of the Year Award was presented to Cheryl Crissinger, a single mother from Lakeview, OH whose daughter is a freshman at the university.

(Top Row, L-R): Vice President for Student Affairs Dan Abrahamowicz, President David R. Hopkins, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Student Affairs Simone Polk. (Bottom Row, L-R): Freshman Sarah Crissinger and her mother, Cheryl Crissinger, who is Wright State's Parent of the Year.

In nominating her mother for the award, Sarah Crissinger said her mother was understanding and compassionate, and instilled the right values in her.

“Raising a teenage girl by yourself is probably one of the hardest struggles a person will ever face. She did it with grace and compassion,” Sarah wrote in her nomination. “She had to be the mother and father for me, and she played both roles incredibly.”

Noting that the high school years can often be a student’s most difficult ones, Sarah credited her mother with making them her best years, enabling Sarah to become her school’s valedictorian.

A four-member committee of Wright State staff members reviews the nominations, which include a 500-word essay.

Cheryl Crissinger was honored Feb. 5 during a ceremony at the Student Union attended by Wright State President David R. Hopkins.