Cincinnati State student is a “Hometown Hero” in Newport

Stephen Collins, Jr., a Cincinnati State Brewing Science student and a veteran, has been honored by the City of Newport, Kentucky, as a “Hometown Hero.”

Collins was one of 60 Newport veterans honored on September 7, 2024, as part of the city’s Hometown Heroes program. This recognition program, which started on July 4 this year, highlights the sacrifices veterans from Newport have made for their country and the region while serving in the military. 

Newport Commissioner Julie Smith-Morrow noted during the Sep. 7 ceremony that Collins’ commitment to the community extends beyond military service, including working as an AmeriCorps volunteer and serving on the NewportFORWARD committee, which focused on creating an improvement and investment plan for the city. 

“Stephen served his country in the military and has continued that commitment to service in many important ways right here in Newport,” Smith-Morrow said.

Collins served in the Marines from 1993 to 2007 and is a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, primarily as the commander of a tank unit. His experience of these wars has been documented and preserved in a collection at the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project.

Stephen’s banner is displayed on a light pole near the Newport Kroger store.

Collins entered the Brewing Science program in Summer 2024 and he expects to graduate in Spring 2026. He currently works at Fifty West Brewing Company on the packaging team. Prior to entering the Brewing Science program, he completed an MBA at the University of Cincinnati.

Caleb Ochs-Naderer, Brewing Science Program Chair, said Stephen initially wanted to study brewing to gain more knowledge of the distilling process, but since starting the program, “he has wholeheartedly embraced the beer world.”