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.”
Lasting Legacy
Beloved Professor Emerita of Biology Elizabeth “Betty” Powelson, the first woman in Wittenberg’s history to teach in the sciences, inspired countless students during her 44-year career. Now, faculty members and future biology students will continue her passion for the field, thanks to her estate gift of $2.3 million.
Deciphering Data
To respond to the growing demand for professionals who can analyze big data, Wittenberg will introduce a major and minor in data science in the fall of 2017. Taught within the context of the liberal arts, the program will consist of statistics and computer science courses, providing strong preparation for jobs in this highly technical and high-paying field.
Filling Bowls
The 23rd annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, held last week on campus in an effort to combat hunger in the local community, raised $42,425 for Second Harvest Food Bank in Springfield. Those funds will provide 212,125 meals to hungry families in the community. In the decades Wittenberg has coordinated Empty Bowls, students and the Springfield community have raised more than $451,175 for Second Harvest Food Bank, which equates to 1,887,517 meals.
Campus Showcase
The fifth annual Celebration of Learning, a campus-wide showcase of student talent across academic departments and co-curricular activities, takes place from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Friday, April 7. The annual Honors Convocation recognizing academic achievements by students and faculty will follow at 4:15 p.m. in Weaver Chapel. All are invited to attend.
Creating Leaders
The university will again be offering the Wittenberg Leadership Academy from June 25-28. Designed for high school students entering grades 11 and 12, the program explores leadership through every lens while helping students build skills to stand out in the college admission and scholarship process. Nominate a student now for this popular summer experience.
Teaching Excellence
Political Science and East Asian Studies Professor Bin Yu has been invited to debate with former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Randy Schriver on the future of U.S.- China security and trade policy relations, March 28. The debate is sponsored by the Alexander Hamilton Society of The Ohio State University.
Professor Emeritus of History Jim Huffman received the Association for Asian Studies’ highest award for outstanding scholarship and service to the field. A “driving force” behind Wittenberg’s East Asian Studies program, he is the author of six books and several teaching awards, as well the recipient of three Fulbright Awards.
Alumni In The News / #LifeAfterWitt
Melinda Clark ’07 has received one of four 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards presented to Clark County, Ohio, teachers. A math teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in Springfield, Clark aims to give back to the community she grew up in by being a role model to her students.
Caitlin Lobl '16 was a runner-up in the Archaeological Landscapes category of the
Archaeological Institute of America’s Sixth Annual Photo Contest for a photo (left) she submitted of Trim Castle in Trim, Ireland. Scholarship funds from the Nancy L. Benco ’66 Archaeological Research Fund helped Lobl travel to Ireland in the summer of 2015 to work at an excavation site in County Meath.
Meet the Board
A new feature in Tiger Tales, today's Board member is The Rev. Jonathan Eilert '93.
A member of the Board since 2008, Eilert officially became Board chair in May 2016 and recently served as chair of the presidential search committee. During his time on the Board, he has been a member of several committees, including Academic & Student Life, Lutheran Identity Task Force, Advancement & Alumni Relations, Finance & Investments, and Enrollments & Marketing. He is also currently serving on the University Planning Commission. The lead pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland, Ohio Eilert, who is experiencing the college search process with his daughter right now, received his master of divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.