\u201cI knew right away,\u201d he said. \u201cThe minute I set foot in the education department, I knew this was what I wanted to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2026\/08\/260303_3107_Josh-Stucky__web-508x467.jpg\")
<\/a>Josh Stucky \u201989 turned his Wright State experience into a lifetime of teaching, community service and giving back. (Photos by Erin Pence \/ video by Kris Sproles)<\/p><\/div>\n
As Stucky pursued his dream of teaching elementary school, he became friends with a group of student dancers, actors and teachers. They ended up living together in a house on Rubicon Street near Miami Valley Hospital. They shared rides to campus and spent time hanging out together in the Rathskeller and at Cassano\u2019s pizza at Wright State.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen my college life really took off,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had a great time together. There were eight of us who lived in this house.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was also the beginning of something bigger. Stucky and his seven housemates \u2014 all Wright State alumni \u2014 would go on to found Dayton\u2019s beloved Rubi Girls. While people often mistake the troupe\u2019s name for the ruby gemstone, it\u2019s actually a tribute to the friendships they formed on Rubicon Street.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would put on a blanket, an old wig that we found in a thrift store and just do stupid shows for each other. We never intended for anything more than that,\u201d Stucky recalled.<\/p>\n
From their first performance in a packed downtown Dayton bar, the Rubi Girls have been selling out shows and raising life-changing money ever since. During the height of the HIV\/AIDS epidemic, they became a much-needed outlet for laughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe figured out the formula,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cPeople would open up their wallets and their purses if they could just laugh for a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Forty-two years later, the Rubi Girls have raised over $4 million while helping more than 100 nonprofits annually. They also launched a scholarship fund and distribute six scholarships annually.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just keeps growing, but we\u2019ve never lost sight of the HIV piece,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cThis is a gift that keeps on giving, and I will never forget those people I have met along the way who lost their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stucky is grateful to everyone who championed the group over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Rubi Girls, to me, is a miracle right here in Dayton, Ohio,\u201d he said. \u201cI appreciate the community coming and supporting us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Making his mark in education and business<\/strong><\/h3>\nBefore graduating from Wright State in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Education<\/a>, Stucky student-taught at Jefferson Elementary in Dayton Public Schools. He then spent more than two decades teaching in Kettering City Schools, starting at Moraine Meadows \u2014 a small school for children of General Motors employees \u2014 where a population of around 100 students left a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\u201cMy heart was always with Moraine Meadows,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Stucky always dreamed of finishing his education career where it began. For the past eight years, he has done just that, teaching Introduction to Education at Wright State.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a full-circle experience for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on his 35-year teaching career, Stucky believes energy and enthusiasm are the greatest gifts he can give students \u2014 a lesson he shares as he trains the educators of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re enthusiastic about it, the kids will think it\u2019s amazing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While teaching full time, Stucky also managed to launch one of the Dayton region\u2019s most successful and well-known businesses \u2014 Square One Salon and Spa.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2026\/08\/260407_3778_Josh-Stucky_Class__web-508x304.jpg\")
<\/a>Josh Stucky engages students in discussion during a class in Wright State\u2019s teacher education program.<\/p><\/div>\n
Stucky and his business partners, Doug Henderson and Brent Johnson \u2014 who is also Stucky\u2019s life partner of 37 years \u2014 recognized a need for a salon in downtown Dayton and found what they were looking for in The Cannery, a largely undeveloped space where they immediately saw potential.<\/p>\n
When Square One opened on East Third Street in 1999, the positive response was almost instantaneous. \u201cIt was a need, and we hit at the right time,\u201d said Stucky.<\/p>\n
With that formula proving successful, Stucky and his partners opened a second location in Dayton and two salons in Centerville before expanding to Columbus and New Albany.<\/p>\n
Stucky didn\u2019t stop with Square One Salon. In late 2025, he partnered with Tim Farquhar to launch Wayne and Clover Coffee Shop in Dayton\u2019s South Park neighborhood, taking over the former Ghostlight Coffee space next to the Rubi Girls clubhouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to keep this place alive and vibrant. From the moment we took over the space, it has been on fire,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cWe thank Dayton, Ohio, for the support.\u201d<\/p>\n
To give back to the community that means so much to them, the new owners created the Coffee for Good program to support a local charity each month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you put out into this world, you get back,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cWe have always been charity driven. That\u2019s been one of the drivers for Wayne and Clover Coffee, Square One salons and the Rubi Girls. It\u2019s all been about giving back to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warm and inviting, Wayne and Clover is a community gathering spot. Stucky and Farquhar expanded the space with a conversation room, library and nooks and crannies to study.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe listened to what people wanted, and this place is being used left and right,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a coffee shop anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Stucky, supporting Wright State is personal<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhile Stucky\u2019s plate is more than full with teaching, managing his businesses and performing with the Rubi Girls, he still finds time to give back to his alma mater. A longtime supporter of Wright State\u2019s arts programs, he served as chair of ArtsGala<\/a> in 2025 and co-chair in 2026.<\/p>\n\u201cArtsGala gives you a taste of everything \u2014 dance, visual arts, theatre, music \u2014 all in one evening. I love that part of it,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat we need right now in our society is a push to represent and serve the arts. They are so important to the future of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stucky is grateful to the university for helping to shape his life and the person he is today. He appreciates that Wright State opened him up to the world, introduced him to people from all walks of life and taught him that everyone \u2014 including himself \u2014 has their own unique place in society.<\/p>\n
\u201cI credit Wright State University for bringing me out of my shell. They made me realize that I have a gift that I can share,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cThat\u2019s what Wright State does so well. It opens you up to the community and makes you a part of it along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Educator. Business owner. Community advocate. Philanthropist. Wright State alum Josh Stucky wears many hats. Continue reading
\u201cMy heart was always with Moraine Meadows,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Stucky always dreamed of finishing his education career where it began. For the past eight years, he has done just that, teaching Introduction to Education at Wright State.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a full-circle experience for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on his 35-year teaching career, Stucky believes energy and enthusiasm are the greatest gifts he can give students \u2014 a lesson he shares as he trains the educators of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re enthusiastic about it, the kids will think it\u2019s amazing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While teaching full time, Stucky also managed to launch one of the Dayton region\u2019s most successful and well-known businesses \u2014 Square One Salon and Spa.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Josh Stucky engages students in discussion during a class in Wright State\u2019s teacher education program.<\/p><\/div>\n
Stucky and his business partners, Doug Henderson and Brent Johnson \u2014 who is also Stucky\u2019s life partner of 37 years \u2014 recognized a need for a salon in downtown Dayton and found what they were looking for in The Cannery, a largely undeveloped space where they immediately saw potential.<\/p>\n
When Square One opened on East Third Street in 1999, the positive response was almost instantaneous. \u201cIt was a need, and we hit at the right time,\u201d said Stucky.<\/p>\n
With that formula proving successful, Stucky and his partners opened a second location in Dayton and two salons in Centerville before expanding to Columbus and New Albany.<\/p>\n
Stucky didn\u2019t stop with Square One Salon. In late 2025, he partnered with Tim Farquhar to launch Wayne and Clover Coffee Shop in Dayton\u2019s South Park neighborhood, taking over the former Ghostlight Coffee space next to the Rubi Girls clubhouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to keep this place alive and vibrant. From the moment we took over the space, it has been on fire,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cWe thank Dayton, Ohio, for the support.\u201d<\/p>\n
To give back to the community that means so much to them, the new owners created the Coffee for Good program to support a local charity each month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you put out into this world, you get back,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cWe have always been charity driven. That\u2019s been one of the drivers for Wayne and Clover Coffee, Square One salons and the Rubi Girls. It\u2019s all been about giving back to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warm and inviting, Wayne and Clover is a community gathering spot. Stucky and Farquhar expanded the space with a conversation room, library and nooks and crannies to study.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe listened to what people wanted, and this place is being used left and right,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a coffee shop anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Stucky, supporting Wright State is personal<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhile Stucky\u2019s plate is more than full with teaching, managing his businesses and performing with the Rubi Girls, he still finds time to give back to his alma mater. A longtime supporter of Wright State\u2019s arts programs, he served as chair of ArtsGala<\/a> in 2025 and co-chair in 2026.<\/p>\n\u201cArtsGala gives you a taste of everything \u2014 dance, visual arts, theatre, music \u2014 all in one evening. I love that part of it,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat we need right now in our society is a push to represent and serve the arts. They are so important to the future of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stucky is grateful to the university for helping to shape his life and the person he is today. He appreciates that Wright State opened him up to the world, introduced him to people from all walks of life and taught him that everyone \u2014 including himself \u2014 has their own unique place in society.<\/p>\n
\u201cI credit Wright State University for bringing me out of my shell. They made me realize that I have a gift that I can share,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cThat\u2019s what Wright State does so well. It opens you up to the community and makes you a part of it along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Educator. Business owner. Community advocate. Philanthropist. Wright State alum Josh Stucky wears many hats. Continue reading
\u201cArtsGala gives you a taste of everything \u2014 dance, visual arts, theatre, music \u2014 all in one evening. I love that part of it,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat we need right now in our society is a push to represent and serve the arts. They are so important to the future of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stucky is grateful to the university for helping to shape his life and the person he is today. He appreciates that Wright State opened him up to the world, introduced him to people from all walks of life and taught him that everyone \u2014 including himself \u2014 has their own unique place in society.<\/p>\n
\u201cI credit Wright State University for bringing me out of my shell. They made me realize that I have a gift that I can share,\u201d said Stucky. \u201cThat\u2019s what Wright State does so well. It opens you up to the community and makes you a part of it along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Educator. Business owner. Community advocate. Philanthropist. Wright State alum Josh Stucky wears many hats. Continue reading