Each month since August 2016, Wittenberg's Office of Alumni Engagement has prepared an alumni newsletter known as Tiger Tales. This archival page includes newsletters distributed in 2016 and 2017 calendar years.
Published Dec. 17, 2017
2018 Class Speaker
The Class of 2018 is excited to announce that King Letsie III, the Constitutional Monarch of the southern African Kingdom of Lesotho, has agreed to serve as the class' Commencement speaker.
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Published Nov. 16, 2017
Tiger Milestone
The recent 42-23 victory over Ohio Wesleyan marked Head Football Coach Joe Fincham’s 200th victory. Since assuming his position in 1996, he has guided the Tigers to an astounding record of 200-43 – a winning percentage of 82.3 that ranks eighth in NCAA Division III history and fourth among active coaches.
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Published Oct. 26, 2017
Writing Excellence
Wittenberg's Writing Center was recently certified by the College Reading and Learning Association’s International Tutor Training Program. “The certification is an acknowledgement of the work we do to prepare our advisors for working with writers,” said Director Mike Mattison. "Quite simply, we've got one of the best writing centers in the country at any level."
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Published Sept. 28, 2017
Homecoming
With sunny, blue skies above, hundreds of alumni gathered on campus to enjoy Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Sept. 14-17. The weekend included class gatherings, the Legacies & Leadership philanthropy celebration, alumni awards, the Athletics Hall of Honor induction ceremony, an alumni career panel, an archaeological dig, the Pam Evans Smith Memorial 5K, and plenty of Tiger victories.
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Published Aug. 14, 2017
Writing Excellence
Known for doing whatever it takes to help Wittenberg students succeed, Dan Fleisch, professor of physics, best-selling author, astronomer and the 2010 Ohio Professor of the Year, takes time to educate the campus and beyond on the North American eclipse, which will happen on Aug. 21, 2017.
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Published July 14, 2017
A New Era Begins
Known for doing whatever it takes to help Wittenberg students succeed, Dan Fleisch, professor of physics, best-selling author, astronomer and the 2010 Ohio Professor of the Year, takes time to educate the campus and beyond on the North American eclipse, which will happen on Aug. 21, 2017.
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Published June 21, 2017
Farewell
As Wittenberg prepares to welcome its new president, Dr. Michael Frandsen, on July 1, Interim President Dick Helton takes a few moments to offer his thanks and reflect on the past 18 months at the helm. "To say that I have enjoyed my time at Wittenberg – and the opportunity to get to know each and every one of you – is an understatement. It has been a joy and honor to be a part of this family."
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Published May 18, 2017
Commencement 2017
Nothing but blue skies welcomed a standing-room only crowd in Commencement Hollow to celebrate the Class of 2017 as Wittenberg hosted its 167th Commencement exercises on May 13. Interim University President Dick Helton recognized the 430 graduates and also awarded honorary degrees to two distinguished guests: Commencement speaker Sandra L. Postel ’78 and Christopher Philip Long ’91.
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Published April 20, 2017
Keynote Speaker
Sandra L. Postel ’78, a leading authority and prolific writer on international water issues, has been selected to present the keynote address at the university’s 167th Commencement Exercises on May 13. Currently the director of the independent Global Water Policy Project, she was named one of the Scientific American 50 for her contributions to science and technology.
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Published March 24, 2017
Ground Broken
Wittenberg University officially broke ground today on its nearly $40 million Health, Wellness and Athletics (HWA) Complex. “This is a defining day for Wittenberg and our hometown of Springfield,” said Interim President Dick Helton. “We are excited about what this facility will mean to our students, faculty, staff and our community, and we look forward to our shared future.”
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Published Feb. 22, 2017
A New Leader
Wittenberg is celebrating the selection of Dr. Michael Frandsen, vice president for finance and administration at Oberlin College, as the university’s 15th president. Unanimously selected by the Board of Directors, Frandsen is “an outstanding leader in higher education and a passionate advocate for the liberal arts who exemplifies our mission,” said the Rev. Jonathan Eilert, board chair and chair of the presidential search committee.
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Published Jan. 25, 2017
Serving Lesotho
Thanks in part to the generosity of Wittenberg students and alumni, including local alumni involved in the Springfield Rotary Club, orphans and vulnerable children in the South African nation of Lesotho received food and other supplies, along with a Christmas present from the Office of Alumni Relations.
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Published Dec. 19, 2016
Top Choice
Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient Vanessa Orduna, class of 2020, had her pick of any college in the nation. She chose Wittenberg.
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Published Nov. 16, 2016
Beyond Borders
In an effort to help orphans under the age of 5 who suffer from malnutrition and stunting, Wittenberg students have started the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative (LNI) as part of the university's Peace Corps Preparation Program. LNI is currently partnering with Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati area schools and youth groups to pack 350,000 meals by May 2017.
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Published Oct. 20, 2016
Onward and Upward
Looking back on the week leading into Homecoming, I believe we are definitely experiencing a renewed sense of energy at Wittenberg. In addition to kicking off the public campaign launch of our new Health, Wellness & Athletics Restoration and Expansion Initiative, the Board approved March 24, 2017 as the official groundbreaking. Thanks to the generous support of lead donor Alicia Sweet Hupp ’82, we also celebrated the naming of COMPASS: Sweet Success Center. Located on the main floor of Thomas Library, the center has already assisted more than 1,200 students since the semester began. We also celebrated the generosity of late alumna Lois Huebner, who, at age 107, left Wittenberg $2.6 million, all of which will be endowed to fund music scholarships for deserving students. Indeed, it was a tremendous week. - Dick Helton, Ph.D.
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Published Sept. 27, 2016
Presidential Search
Board Chair Jonathan Eilert ’93 has announced that the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has retained Dr. Thomas B. Courtice as the search consultant for Wittenberg’s 15th president. A three-time president himself, Courtice has completed more than 100 searches with an emphasis on presidential leadership for independent, residential, church-related, liberal arts colleges and universities since starting his search practice in 2005. During this time, he has served as the president of Academic Search Inc., and then as managing principal of AGB Search. Now working on an independent basis, he will bring a deep network of invaluable contacts and potential candidates, a seasoned understanding of best search practices, and a track record of impressive successes as a search consultant. Tom recently spent two full days in intensive meetings on campus with both large and small groups, including with local alumni.
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Published Aug. 18, 2016
"The Conscience of the University"
Professor, scholar, senior administrator, editor and distinguished alumnus Richard P. "Dick" Veler passes away. Called “the conscience of the university” by former Wittenberg President Baird Tipson, Richard P. “Dick” Veler passed away peacefully in his home on Aug. 4, 2016.