Alumni
Convocation features address by 1975 alumnus Jeffrey O. Evans
Muskingum College held its Convocation on August 26 in the Recreation Center on the campus. The annual event featured an address by 1975 Muskingum College alumnus Jeffrey O. Evans, who is president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the Will-Burt Company of Orrville, Ohio.
In his address, Mr. Evans encouraged the students to begin building their personal resumes now, with an eye toward becoming the person they would like to be. “You stand in the doorway to the rest of your life,” he said. "Swing away, and don’t be afraid to take chances and makes changes that will make you the best you can be.”
Will-Burt Company is the world’s leading manufacturer of telescoping communications masts and emergency lighting towers and systems. Serving the broadcast, fire and rescue, and military sectors worldwide, Will-Burt’s products support rapid and effective situation responses and information transmission. Mr. Evans has led the private, employee-owned company through significant growth, more than doubling its annual revenue to $60 million and quadrupling its stock value over the past five years.
A cum laude graduate of Muskingum, Mr. Evans majored in mathematics and economics. He lettered in varsity baseball, managed student concerts, tutored his fellow students as a teaching assistant in The Arts, and was an active member of the choir. He served as president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, and was recognized as Kappa Sigma’s National Man of the Year in 1975.
He earned his master of business administration degree at Bowling Green State University and has completed post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School, the Wharton School of Business, the Kellogg School of Business and the Center for Creative Leadership.
A certified public accountant, Mr. Evans began his career with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Ernst. He served as an international auditor with Firestone Tire & Rubber Corp., and was responsible for Penn Racquet Sports Worldwide for GenCorp, Inc., before joining Will-Burt. He currently sits on four corporate boards of directors, providing his expertise and guidance to fellow business leaders.
Mr. Evans lives in Canton, Ohio, with his wife, Oleta. He gives his time and talents in his community by serving as an elder at Jackson Friends Church in Massillon, Ohio.
