Godwin Apaliyah Award for Inspired Community Engagement
As many of you know, our good friend and colleague, Godwin Apaliyah, Extension Educator for Community Development in Fayette County, passed last year. Godwin was such a warm and welcoming person, who was always filled with gratitude for the opportunity to know and work with his clients and colleagues. Committed to building community capacity, Godwin’s work in Fayette County focused on growing and galvanizing the business community, empowering local and emerging leaders, and engaging community officials in revitalizing downtown Washington Court House. Godwin often talked about the relationships and partnerships that were essential to his community and economic development work. In the spirit of Godwin’s excellent work, this award was established to recognize exceptional individuals or teams who have demonstrated a commitment to building strong, vibrant communities through collaboration and leadership. This award serves as a tribute to Godwin’s legacy of improving communities, especially in his beloved Fayette County, and today, we gather to celebrate someone who embodies these same values.
It’s a privilege to be here as we honor an individual whose dedication to community development exemplifies the spirit of the late Godwin Apaliyah—a tireless advocate for partnership, cooperation, and meaningful engagement within the communities he served.
It is my honor to announce this year’s recipient of the Godwin Apaliyah Award for Inspired Community Engagement: Gwynn Stewart
Gwynn Stewart is a Community Development Assistant Professor with Ohio State University Extension, based in Noble County. Through her innovative and tireless efforts, she has played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of health care and workforce development for Noble County, a region that has long faced significant challenges.
As part of a groundbreaking initiative, Gwynn led the creation of the Noble County Health Care Complex—a project that will serve as a vital health resource hub in a healthcare desert. The complex is not just a healthcare facility; it is a beacon of hope for the residents of Noble County, bringing primary care, dental services, urgent care, and a wealth of health-related resources to a community that desperately needs it. This is a partnership-driven project, reflecting Gwynn's commitment to building strong, lasting relationships with a diverse array of local partners—from county commissioners to school administrators, healthcare providers, and beyond.
This project includes many facets that go beyond healthcare. The complex will house a workforce development center, helping students gain valuable skills in healthcare through partnerships with local educational institutions such as Zane State and Muskingum University. It will also serve as a business incubator, fostering economic growth and local entrepreneurship in a region that needs it.
The heart of this project is collaboration—Gwynn worked closely with local schools, health centers, the county health department, and even businesses like Genesis Health System and Ohio Hills Health Centers. Her ability to bring these partners together to solve complex issues is a testament to her leadership, vision, and unwavering belief in the power of community.
When initial grant funding fell short, Gwynn and her team didn’t give up—they regrouped, refocused, and applied again, ultimately securing an $8.35 million Appalachian Community Innovation Center Grant. This determination, paired with her collaborative approach, has helped turn a vision into reality, and the construction of this much-needed facility is already underway. The completion of the Noble County Health Care Complex by mid-2026 will bring essential health and workforce resources to an underserved region, impacting thousands of lives.
This project, under Gwynn’s guidance, addresses the critical healthcare needs in a region with limited access to services. With only two physicians serving 14,500 residents, the facility will offer services like telehealth, urgent care, mammography, and dental care, among others, helping to alleviate a decades-long gap in essential healthcare access.
But beyond the immediate healthcare benefits, Gwynn’s initiative also empowers local residents. The workforce development component provides pathways to stable, fulfilling careers, and offers the community a chance to thrive, not just survive. This focus on education, training, and empowerment reflects Gwynn's deep commitment to the future of Noble County and its people.
The Noble County Health Care Complex embodies everything Godwin Apaliyah believed in—building community capacity, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Gwynn, in your work, you have made an incredible difference in the lives of countless individuals, from students learning new career pathways to families who will soon have access to essential health services that were once out of reach. You have demonstrated true leadership, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to your community—values that Godwin Apaliyah held dear.
On behalf of all of us here today, it is my great pleasure to present you with the Godwin Apaliyah Award for Inspired Community Engagement.
Congratulations, Gwynn, and thank you for all you do to inspire and uplift the communities you serve.