'Still sinking in' for Findlay's $1M winner

The University of Findlay professor who won $1 million in the state's Vax-a-Million drawing ignored the first two calls she received informing her of the news. Then someone from the governor's office showed up at her door. Suzanne "Chris" Ward, 62, said she is cautious about answering the phone if she doesn't recognize the phone number, so she didn't answer Gov. Mike DeWine's calls on Wednesday evening. When a representative showed up from the governor's office, her reaction was: "Ohhhh my goodness." Ward was announced Wednesday as the winner of this week's $1 million prize in the lottery for vaccinated Ohioans. Ward spoke to the media Thursday morning at a press conference with DeWine, where she said the news was "still sinking in." She said she is still thinking about what to do with the money, and will be speaking with an accountant and financial planner. She said her plans do include putting some of the winnings into a college fund for her grandchildren. "We are going to take our time, step back, develop a plan, then be intentional in our giving to the local community," she wrote in an email to The Courier later in the day. Ward said she had no hesitation about getting vaccinated when her age group became eligible, seeing it as a way both to save lives and to get the economy going again. "I would encourage anybody to get vaccinated," she said. Ward said she received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at 50 North in March, and experienced no side effects from the shot. She said several friends and colleagues got sick with COVID-19, including two who developed long-term illness. One of those was "a very healthy individual" before getting the virus, so, she said, the pandemic needs to be taken seriously. "The vaccine saves lives and will help get the economy back on track," she wrote. Ward teaches marketing and leadership classes at UF's College of Business. She has been there since 2004. "I love my work," she told the media Thursday. "I love the students." She later told The Courier, "Teaching is a rewarding career." Outside of work, her hobbies include golfing, working outside and reading. Thursday's press conference also featured 17-year-old Sean Horning, of Cincinnati, and his mother, Lina Horning. Sean won this week's four-year college scholarship including tuition, room and board, and books. Sean just graduated from high school and said he doesn't have specific college plans yet, but will be looking at schools now that he has this opportunity. He said when he heard the news, it "did not feel real." Arthurs: 419-427-8494