Zac Taw ('17)
Physical Therapist & Game Developer, Cincinnati
When Zac Taw (’17) was a child, he briefly dreamed of being a toy maker or engineer, but he figured his math skills weren’t up to par for that line of work.
Instead, he pursued physical therapy, eventually earning his doctorate in physical therapy from Ohio University in 2021. Originally from China, Zac was drawn to Union’s close-knit campus community and “the excellent faculty who genuinely care about their students.”
Today, Zac practices in an outpatient clinic in Cincinnati, specializing in balance and vestibular disorders. Through his work as a physical therapist, he enjoys using his skills to solve problems, teach others and build connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
But his childhood dream of creating never left. In 2023, Zac and his wife, Lily, founded Zily Creative Works, LLC with the mission to glorify God through creativity and connection. After two years of product development and playtesting with fellow Union alumni and others, their first fantasy speed card game, Escape Master, launched successfully on Kickstarter. The couple recently opened an online store to continue sharing their creations with the world.
“I enjoy building community, connecting with people’s deeper emotions and unleashing my creative potential when it comes to designing games,” Zac said.
Looking back on his time at Union, Zac says he developed a strong Christian work ethic and found a community of friends who encouraged him to hold fast to Christ.
“I felt safe at Union,” he said. “I knew my intellect, social skills and worldview would be challenged for the better on a daily basis.”
He encourages prospective students to choose Union for its supportive community, academic challenge and because it is a place where faith can grow without compromise.
“Build a strong foundation at Union before going out into the world,” he said. “You don’t need to take on the brokenness of the world all at once by yourself after high school. Give yourself time and find good mentoring.”
Zac and Lily are offering a special discount for Union students and alumni. Use the code UNION at checkout at zilycreativeworks.com, and be sure to visit their Facebook page below to see their latest projects.
zilycreativeworks.com Facebook page
