Bowling Green natives Steve McEwen and Megan Newlove were named the city’s Outstanding Citizens of the
Year Saturday night.
The 113th and 114th recipients of the award were honored during the BG Chamber of Commerce’s Annual
Meeting and Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Bowling Green State University Bowen-Thompson Student
Union. The first awards were presented in 1957.
Also honored were Evelyn Bachman with the Athena Award and Michael Penrod with the Zeus Award.
"He has been the benefactor to so many local organizations and causes (that) they are too numerous
to mention. He asks for no recognition and continues to never say ‘no’ when asked to contribute to our
community," presenter Mark Remeis said of McEwen. "Simply put, our winner is a man who wants
the best for his community and the people in it." Remeis, presented the award for 2013 recipient Al
Green, who could not attend.
Among McEwen’s involvements have been the Wood County District Public Library renovation and development
of the natural gas-powered bookmobile, volunteering in the school system, at the First Presbyterian
Church, supporting the Simpson Garden Park development, providing amateur radio help in time of
emergency, the BGSU Presidents Club and Falcon Club and his homeowners association.
McEwen said he was born on South Church Street in 1932 and praised BG schools for his education. After
college he got a job with GM, staying for 13 years before being enticed back to BG to join what later
became Henry Filters. "At GM the way to move up was to move around a lot. Families were constantly
uprooted. We had three kids at the time (eventually six). It was a place we could raise a family and not
be uprooted.
"When you see a need it is very easy to volunteer here. It is not a trite expression that this is a
great place to grow, live and raise a family."
Presenting the Outstanding Female award, 2013 recipient Jodie Anderson said: "Acquaintances might
view this individual as shy and quiet but those closet to her can vouch for her wittiness and great
sense of humor."

Anderson listed eight committees on which Newlove volunteers, and noted she is also a member of the BGSU
Board of Trustees, the BG Board of Public Utilities and is a former member of BG City Council. She is an
attorney, owns the Bowling Green Title Agency and is "often called on by local domestic relations
and juvenile judges to take cases that others turn down."
"Thank you, I am so lucky to get to do all of the things I do," Newlove said.
The Athena and Zeus Awards celebrate the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the
community and recognizes those who support them.
Elizabeth Bostdorff introduced the Athena Award winner on behalf of her deceased mother, Shirlee
Bostdorff, the 2013 recipient.
Bostdorff said Bachman "is not just about work but she also has a bit of a sense of humor and is
very caring."
She is involved with Wood Lane Industries, AAUW, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Ohio
Federation and BG Women’s Clubs, Wood County Hospital Board, Guild and Foundation, BGSU Women’s Task
Force, Wood County Child Abuse Prevention Committee, Wood County Child Enforcement Agency Advisory
Board, various political organizations, First Ladies Investment Club of BG, Wood County Historical
Society and Wood County Human Services Board.
Bachman was the first woman to run for mayor of Bowling Green, the first woman trustee and chair of the
Wood County Hospital Board and the first female referee in the Wood County Domestic Relations Court. She
received the female Outstanding Citizen Award in 2002.
"This is the time in life when the shy farm girl surfaces in me," Bachman said as she accepted
the award. "I have enjoyed everything I have done. It is fun to promote people."
Bachman is the 29th recipient of the Athena Award.
Penrod, director of the Wood County District Public Library, is the fifth recipient of the Zeus Award.
The 2013 recipient, Mike Sibbersen, presented the award.
"This year’s winner always acknowledges the mentoring he received from the women in his working
life. So first, he is recognized for publicly acknowledging the important role women have played in his
career. Second, he is recognized for the support he gives women (and everyone) in his organization. With
his encouragement, two women he has mentored have become directors of their organizations,"
Sibbersen said.
He is a member of the BG Exchange Club and board member of the Wood County Historical Museum.
"I have had so many mentors," Penrod said. "I would like to thank Elaine Paulette McEwen
for the call that pulled me out of the hills and hollows of Southeast Ohio. I thought I would stay a
couple of years and move on. This has become my home," Penrod said.
Chamber Treasurer Greg Kegler, executive vice president and CFO of Kellermeyer Co., was event chair.