CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AVC News) — Cambridge City Council recognized the accomplishments of local young athletes Monday night before welcoming the new president of Muskingum University, Dr. Flavius Lilly, who said he hopes to build a stronger partnership between the university and the Cambridge community.
Council presented a resolution recognizing 24 Cambridge YMCA gymnasts who competed at the YMCA Gymnastics National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Members of the Cambridge YMCA’s Level Two and Level Three teams finished as national champions, while several local gymnasts earned individual national championships in the all-around competition and individual events.
Other Cambridge YMCA gymnasts also earned national championships in individual events, while members of the Level Seven team recorded several high finishes at the competition.
Following the recognition, council welcomed Dr. Flavius Lilly, the newly appointed president of Muskingum University.
Lilly said he has been on the job for about 55 days and has spent much of that time meeting with community leaders throughout the region.
He told council that he wants Muskingum University to be a strong partner with Cambridge and the surrounding communities.
“I think about it maybe in three ways,” Lilly said, describing the university’s role as an economic engine, workforce developer and community convenor.
Lilly said the university contributes to the regional economy through its students, faculty, staff, visitors, alumni and events.
He also said Muskingum wants to work more closely with local businesses to understand their workforce needs and develop educational programs that help address those needs.
The goal, he said, is not simply to educate students and send them elsewhere, but to help talented people establish roots in the region and become active members of their communities.
Lilly also emphasized the university’s potential role in bringing community leaders together to address local challenges.
“Universities do some things well,” Lilly said. “One of the things that I think universities do well, and we’re increasingly trying to do better at this, is to listen and understand the problems in our community and bring people around the same table to work together toward a solution.”
Lilly invited council members to visit the university and said Muskingum is willing to work with Cambridge on community projects.
Council members recalled a previous partnership in which Muskingum University students and faculty assisted the city with redistricting its wards.
Lilly said opportunities for students to work directly with communities provide valuable educational experiences.
“The more of that kind of thing we can do and be of use, please call on us,” Lilly said.
Lilly, who grew up in Ohio before spending more than 30 years on the East Coast, said returning to the state has been a welcome experience.
He said he has been impressed by the hospitality he has encountered since returning to Ohio and expressed excitement about beginning his tenure at Muskingum.
The meeting then turned to city business, including several infrastructure and grant updates.
Mayor Tom Orr told council that Cambridge recently received approximately $1.44 million in additional grant funding that will support improvements on several city streets, including portions of West Eighth Street, East State Street, Ninth Street, Seventh Street, Spring Street and Long Street.
Orr also provided updates on ongoing work at Edgeworth Avenue and Eighth Street, the Turner Trailhead, lead service line replacement and the city’s 2026 continuous street program.
The mayor also discussed the effects of recent heavy rainfall and flooding, saying city drainage systems had been pushed to capacity during the storms.
Council approved several transfers and appropriations and authorized the administration to apply for an AMLER grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Council also authorized the city to pursue a partnership with the Guernsey County Commissioners for a 2026 FLEX grant and approved a commitment of up to $90,000 in available city park funds as local leverage for the proposed project.
Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by AVC News
