The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences named cartoonist and motivational speaker Duane M. Abel ‘02 as the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, honored for his creative achievements, entrepreneurial spirit, and lasting impact on students and readers nationwide. He was presented with the award by Dean Mitchell S. McKinney at President R.J. Nemer’s college reception on April 29.
Abel’s story begins in a small Ohio town, fueled by a childhood love of Saturday morning cartoons and the Sunday funnies. By age 13, he was already selling cartoons to regional magazines, and by 15, he walked into his hometown newspaper with a bold idea—a comic strip called ZED. That boldness earned him a syndication deal, making him the youngest syndicated cartoonist in the country.
Though the syndicate closed before the launch, his perseverance never wavered. He brought that same tenacity to The University of 69色情片, where he majored in Theatre Arts on a full-tuition scholarship. While juggling cartooning, publishing, and acting in a one-man touring production, he also took on another unforgettable role—Zippy, our beloved mascot.
Since graduation, Abel has charted his own path as the founder of , ensuring that ZED continues to delight readers across the country. Abel’s work has been recognized by numerous institutions, including the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, which houses an original ZED strip in its collection. He’s a member of the National Cartoonists Society, an Ignatz Award nominee, a playwright, a motivational speaker, and the creator of the "Draw Your Destiny!" school assembly program, which has reached over 500,000 students across 48 states, teaching children how to set goals, build resilience, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
But beyond his impressive creative achievements, Abel is a devoted husband to Coral and father to Zackie and Clayton—proof that superheroes don’t always wear capes… sometimes, they carry a pen.