Spherion Mid Ohio honors Lucas Cianflone with National Sandy Mazur Scholarship

MANSFIELD — What started as a routine break between classes at The Ohio State University at Mansfield quickly turned into a life-changing surprise for Lucas Cianflone.

During his one-hour break, the 2025 Buckeye Central High School graduate was told to meet with his advisor, thinking he was just there to sign paperwork.

After some time went by, Cianflone was nowhere to be found. A golf cart hunt across campus took place to track him down and bring him to Riedl Hall, where Spherion Mid Ohio was waiting with big news.

Spherion Mid Ohio announced Cianflone as one of five recipients of this year’s National Sandy Mazur Scholarship.

Cianflone achieves major recognition

Upon his arrival, the Spherion Mid Ohio team surprised him by telling Cianflone he was a finalist, not a winner.

Jessica Hiser, director of marketing and advertising for Spherion Mid Ohio, sat down with Cianflone and asked him how he felt about being a finalist.

“It feels good,” Cianflone said. “I know I would use the money to pursue my dream of becoming a computer programmer.”

He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science and plans to transfer to the Columbus campus after his first year.

Cianflone said his fascination with computers since childhood sparked his dream of becoming a programmer.

Receiving this recognition, he said, is one more step toward that goal. Cianflone said the money would allow him to continue his education, earning his bachelor’s degree.

“Well, you know what Lucas? You don’t have to wait,” Hiser said. “Because you won the $5,000 scholarship.”

Nancy Crum, Cianflone’s mother, did not know about the surprise until very shortly before him, but was able to make it in time and watch his acceptance.

“I am so very proud of him,” Crum said.

The connection he has between being a productive member of society and giving back to the community, she said, are two things that link beautifully for him.

Scholarship celebrates Mazur’s legacy

Named after Sandy Mazur, past president of Spherion, the scholarship recognizes and honors her contribution to Spherion and the community.

The recipients are individuals pursuing a post-secondary education who highlight the same qualities of paying it forward as Mazur.

“To me, paying it forward means helping the community with skills you have learned and the experience you have gained,” Cianflone said.

Part of how he pays it forward is by participating in the theater. His freshman, sophomore and senior year he was a part of the musicals at Buckeye Central High School.

Cianflone becomes first Ohio recipient

While the national scholarship has been distributing awards since 2020, Cianflone is the first Ohio native to receive it.

Beth DeLaney, owner of Spherion Mid Ohio and member of the donor advisory committee, presented the scholarship to Cianflone.

“When we received your application you really tugged at a lot of our hearts,” DeLaney said. “You are a prime example of what we want our winners to be.

“I was so excited being one of the founders of the scholarship, to finally have a winner in my area,” DeLaney said.

To qualify, students must be pursuing a degree or certificate at a trade school, two-year, or four-year institution, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and submit their FAFSA Summary.

Spherion’s owner and employee community funds the scholarship annually. The Richland County Foundation, handles the application process and has done so since the program began.

The Spherion franchise community’s donor advisory committee sets the scholarship criteria, allocates funds and manages awards.

Spherion awards the scholarship only to students who live in counties served by its franchise locations.

Franchise owners Michael Chalmers and DeLaney lead Spherion’s franchise community in fully funding the scholarship.

(More photos from Lucas Cianflone’s scholarship announcement. Photos by: Hannah Martin)