Dr. Brad Bielski, interim dean of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Columbiana County campuses, announced that this year’s commencement speaker is Michael Reiner, who will address graduates at a combined commencement ceremony on May 10 at Beaver Local High School.
Diplomas will be presented to graduates from the summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters on the Kent State East Liverpool and Salem campuses. A reception with light refreshments will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by graduation ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Beaver Local High School is located at 46088 Bell School Rd., East Liverpool.
Reiner grew up in Wellsville and graduated in 2016 from Wellsville High School where he succeeded academically and athletically. He graduated in the top 10 of his class and was a member of the track team, becoming the first wheelchair-seated track athlete in Columbiana County and the first seated athlete to compete at the OHSAA state track meet for all four years of high school.
As an eighth grader, Reiner qualified for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., sparking his love for words and setting him on a path to become a journalist. While in high school, he also worked for the Morning Journal.
Reiner began his college career at the Kent State East Liverpool Campus, where he was active with student activities, served as a peer tutor and was a student worker for the front desk reception area for two years.
To pursue his degree in journalism, Reiner continued his studies at the Kent Campus from where he graduated in 2020. While a student at Kent, he worked in the sports department of the award-winning student television station, TV2 KSU.
Reiner is now a web producer for WKBN-TV in Youngstown and one of its top authors. He joined Nexstar Media Company’s Million Month Club in April 2023.
Cutline: Michael Reiner