Published May 21, 2022
Congratulations to Our Newest Alumni!
It was a joyous return to picturesque Commencement Hollow for the class of 2022. The 346 graduates were honored and celebrated before family, friends, faculty, and staff during the 172nd Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 14. Tim McCarthy ’02, former owner of the Raising Cane’s Ohio franchise, served as keynote speaker.
During the weeks leading up to Commencement, the William A. McClain Center for Diversity hosted the second annual Hitimu: Multicultural Graduate dinner to honor approximately 20 graduating multicultural students. In addition, the second annual LGBTQAI+ Tiger Pride Lavendar Graduation celebrated the achievements of the University’s LGBTQAI+ graduates.
Community Asset
The hope and promise of the state-of-the-art Health, Wellness, & Athletics (HWA) Complex continues to be realized two years after its 2019 grand opening. Wittenberg has hosted cheerleading competitions; swimming and indoor track meets; coaching, strength training, and officiating clinics; and marching band shows, in addition to an expanding range of campus activities for students and employees.
Equipping Future Experts
Spring 2022 marked Professor Yu Bin’s last semester before he entered retirement following more than three decades of teaching political science at Wittenberg. He continues to engage in many Russia-related online forums around the world and field media inquiries for his sought-after expertise.
All About Outcomes
Graduating seniors have the opportunity to be part of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) First-Destination Survey conducted by Wittenberg’s Career Services team. According to the survey, Wittenberg achieved a 97 percent career outcome rate, which is a five-percent increase from 2020, while still amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.The survey, conducted from May to November 2021, collected the post-graduate placements of all graduates from August 2020 to May 2021.
Keeping Campus Beautiful
Previously known as the Physical Plant, Wittenberg’s newly renamed Office of Facilities Management, which oversees all the operations that keep the campus maintained and beautiful, has been hard at work providing quality planning, construction, cleanliness, and maintenance for facilities and grounds under its new director, Dan McDermitt.
Collaborative Endeavor
For the last few months, Wittenberg has been partnering with Credo, a higher education strategic planning and student success firm that helps small independent colleges thrive. The collaboration has touched every facet of campus and earlier this year inspired more than 150 community members to join together for a four-hour brainstorming session aimed at identifying the most impactful areas for future focus at the University. As the partnership continues, more information will be shared.
Fine Finish
Congratulations to Head Coach Colin Laszlo '19 and the men's golf team after the Tigers finished seventh as a team, and JF Aber '24 placed third individually at the 2022 NCAA Division III Tournament. The top-10 team finish was Wittenberg's seventh straight in NCAA tournament play and the 13th in 26 all-time appearances. Aber's individual finish was the second-best in program history, trailing only Garrett Brickley '17, who tied for first while leading the Tigers to the national championship in 2017.
#LifeAfterWitt
For Shante Leslie ’22, a recent recipient of the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs’ Agnes Fowler Scholarship and the Broadwell Chinn Endowed Achievement Award, tapping into music is her therapy.
Read more #LifeAfterWitt stories
Witt Wednesday Pod Season 2
The Witt Wednesday Pod is a production of the Office of Career & Professional Development in the COMPASS: Sweet Success Center at Wittenberg. With Heath G. Queen '16 as the interviewer, Wittenberg alumni and friends share tips on discerning one's vocation and kick-starting professional life. Tune in every Wednesday as a new episode drops on Apple and Spotify.
Confirmed 2022 Alumni Guests
Dr. Ben Burkam
Podcast Date: May 25
Physician @ Ohio Health & The Columbus Blue JacketsRon Cunningham
Podcast Date: June 1
Business Development Manager @ BMI Federal Credit UnionSwati Shivshankar
Podcast Date: June 8
Senior Strategist @ Ogilvy (Singapore)Jeff Guyton
Podcast Date: June 15
President & CEO @ Mazda North AmericaBill Habermeyer
Podcast Date: June 22
President & CEO @ The Florida Business Development CorporationDr. Chandra Donnell Carey
Podcast Date: June 29
Academic Associate Dean @ The University of North TexasBrittany Minton
Podcast Date: July 6
Head Registrar @ Peabody Essex MuseumEvelyn Jones
Podcast Date: July 13
Hospitalist @ Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center
Tentative 2022 Alumni Guests
John & Molly Loftis
Podcast Date: July 20
Founders/Owners, Mother Stewart's BreweryManny Lamarre
Podcast Date: July 27
Senior Advisor, US Department of LaborJessica Varuolo
Podcast Date: August 3
Staff Officer, US Department of Defense
Would you like to suggest a future guest for the Witt Wednesday Podcast? Email careers@wittenberg.edu