The Indian Lake Board of Education presented the 2025 Indian Lake Schools Distinguished Alumni Award to the first ever couple to be nominated during their regular April Board of Education meeting recently.
Board of Education members and Dr. Underwood were proud to honor David and Nancy Knight of DeGraff. The Knights graciously accepted their awards surrounded by their children, several other family members and close friends.
Dr. Underwood said, "It really was an easy decision for the committee after we looked at the body of work of both Nancy and Dave Knight. Both have dedicated their lives to education, to community service and to service of country."
Nancy Knight is a 1960 graduate of Washington Township High School in the first year of the Indian Lake School District. She was Class President who went on to serve Logan County in education, healthcare and agriculture. She retired as Superintendent of the Ohio Hi Point Career Center and the OHP Nursing Building was later dedicated in her name.
David Knight was the ILHS Class of 1961 Class President who went on to be a US Army Veteran, longtime Logan County School Board member and retired county commissioner. Both Nancy and David are respected members of the local agriculture community, as well. (Please see their biographies below.)
Nancy said, "I think they look for people who have been active in the community and Dave and I certainly fill that category. We have both participated in quite a number of endeavors."
In his report, Superintendent Underwood recognized the State Champion Esports Fortnite team members and sophomore basketball player Brodey Reisinger for being named Third Team All Ohio.
Finally, the board approved several supplemental contracts for the 2025-26 school year and approved advertisement for bids for a potential wrestling room expansion project.
The Indian Lake Board of Education will meet again on Wednesday, May 21 at 5 pm in the board office.
David Paul Knight, a 1961 graduate and class president of Indian Lake High School, is a man whose life exemplifies leadership, service, and unwavering dedication. His decades of service to the community, through his roles on the Riverside and Logan County Boards of Education and as a Logan County Commissioner, have left a lasting positive impact on our region.
During his time as an Indian Lake student, David was a standout athlete. He scored 1,002 points in basketball. He also scored 134 points as quarterback in his senior year. He only played when he was a senior because the family farm always took priority during the fall harvest season.
Knight attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Management in 1965. He was drafted into military service in 1966 and spent 37 months serving his country. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant and served on the Personal Management Inspection Team.
David worked at International Harvester (Navistar) in Springfield, Ohio for 37 years. He served on the Riverside Board of Education for four years and the Logan County Board of Education for over fifteen years. He successfully ran for Logan County Commissioner in 2003 and served in that capacity for eight years. He is a staunch advocate for term limits, which is why he ran for only two terms.
He has always been a farmer. From the time he could walk, he has been doing chores. This love of the land continues to this day. He and his wife of 61 years, Nancy, still live and work on their farm in DeGraff. They have raised hundreds of beef cattle over the years with an emphasis on show steers. He has planted and harvested an unknown amount of corn, soybeans, and hay to help feed those cattle and his family.
He is a cancer survivor twice- over who never complained about his diagnosis.
David's strong faith in his Lord and Savior has been at the forefront of everything he does. He taught Sunday School for many years and served as Lay Reader for several area churches.
Nancy J. Knight
Nancy Jean Knight's life is a testament to unwavering dedication to education and nursing, characterized by a lifetime of service to others as a mother, nurse, and educator.
Nancy's story began as a Washington Local School student in Lewistown. She graduated as class president in 1960. She was very active in school and worked from the time she was eleven years old at thevarious attractions at the time in Russells Point. She attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She married David in 1964. After her husband was drafted, she worked as a nurse wherever he was stationed including Georgia, Indiana, and Virginia.
After they settled on the family farm in DeGraff, she took time to raise her family. After ten years, Nancy returned to work at Green Hills and then became the Nursing Coordinator at Ohio
Hi-Point Career Center. She returned to school to gain her Master's in Education and was named Director of Ohio Hi-Point. In 1996 she was named Superintendent of Ohio Hi-Point and retired from there in 2003. The School of Nursing building is named in her honor.
Nancy's commitment to her community extends far beyond her professional career. She has served on numerous influential boards and committees, including:
- Chairman of The Ohio State University Lima Board of Trustees
- Green Hills Community Board of Trustees and Foundation
- Logan County Republican Party
- Logan County Cancer Society
- Long-time member of the Mary Rutan Hospital Board and subcommittees
- Logan County Farm Bureau
- Indian Lake Watershed Association
- Hilliker YMCA Board
- Logan County Art League
Knight has been an active member of the DeGraff United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School for 27 years and chaired various committees. She is credited with many spearheading numerous programs throughout the years that benefited the children of her church and community.
She also partnered with her husband to farm and raise cattle, which continues to this day. Nancy and David have built a beautiful life together through hard work, continuing education, humor, and love. She has been a shining example to her children and grandchildren, demonstrating the true meaning of motherhood and the boundless possibilities for women.