Clarke University grad to appear on national holiday baking show

A Clarke University graduate will compete on a national holiday baking show tonight. Tipton, Iowa, native Greg Ballenger, who earned his doctoral degree in physical therapy from Clarke in 2019, will compete on the Christmas Cookie Challenge on Food Network, according to an online announcement. The show premieres at 8 p.m. Food Network’s website states that five bakers will compete for a $10,000 grand prize in the Christmas Cookie Challenge. Ballenger also competed on Food Network last year as a contestant in the network’s 2023 “Holiday Baking Championship” show.