Published October 14, 2023
Alumni and Friends,
On behalf of Wittenberg University, thank you for making this year's Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend such a success. From attending the events and sharing career advice to creating memories at the traditional Tiger tailgate, special recognition ceremonies, and dinners, you showed what it means to pass your light.
The weekend also provided the opportunity to celebrate our $100-million Having Light Campaign, which exceeded its goal by $13 million. Every single contributor became part of something bigger, especially during this unprecedented time in our world. Together, you helped to set the stage for the future in ways we had not even imagined, and with your ongoing leadership and inspirational giving, we ask that you continue to invest in Wittenberg as we navigate today’s challenges. When campaigns conclude, some people call it the finish line, but to us, it is only the beginning. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated now and always. Please enjoy this special video from the celebration below.
Best regards,
Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D.
President
A Weekend of Memories: Homecoming 2023
What a weekend! Pleasant weather, great friends, and wonderful memories made through class reunions, Tiger Tailgate, Alumni Achievement Awards, athletic competitions, the inaugural Launch: Career-Driven Conversations event, a festive reception under the stars, and much more. Take a peek at some of the photos and watch this video to see if you were captured. Be sure to save the date for next year's Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend, scheduled for Oct. 3-6, 2024.
Honoring Its Own
Celebrating alumni excellence is one of many traditions during Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend. This year, the Alumni Association honored Professor and Chair of Biology Matt Collier ’94, Gene Simone ’77, Loie Greenwood ’19, Anita Fete Crews ’04, Dean R. Thompson ’89, Michael Carter ’82, and Alumna of the Year Tamara Miller Campbell ’82.
An Evening with President Frandsen
Join us in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the impact of the Having Light Campaign with President Michael Frandsen.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Reception at 6 p.m.
Program at 6:45 p.m.
The Henri
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Entrance located on 13th Street
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.
Faculty Experts
With the academic year now in full swing, 10 new professors are adding their energy and expertise to Wittenberg’s already award-winning faculty. The departments of art, biological and environmental sciences, business and economics, English, health and sport studies, math and computer science, music, and nursing each welcomed new faculty.
From Taylor Swift to Healthcare
Wittenberg is hosting a faculty-led, panel-style discussion series titled “Liberal Arts Potential & Power” this semester. The series is designed to engage students in ongoing exploration of how the various disciplines at Wittenberg contribute to broader understanding of topics of social focus and concern, from Taylor Swift to AI and Chatbots to healthcare costs.
Digital Storytelling
What makes a family? What kinds of stories do we pass down about our families? These questions and others inspired students in the first digital storytelling course at Wittenberg taught by Catherine Waggoner, professor of communication & digital media.
Focused, Integrated, Reflective Experience
Wittenberg will offer 20 opportunities for students to explore, engage, and connect with faculty, staff, and other students in Focused, Integrated, Reflective Experiences or FIRE Week, Feb. 26-March 1, 2024. Designed to give students a chance to engage in-depth on a wide range of topics outside of the classroom, FIRE Week has helped students gain entirely new perspectives on the power of a Wittenberg education in the world.
#LifeAtWitt
Jade Simpson '24, Kelsey Ragan '25, and Jazmyn Gaines-Burns '25, all members of the women’s basketball team, participated in a summer invitational tour in Spain, to play basketball and learn about the country's history and culture. #LifeAtWitt
Just one month into her first year of college, Emma Neff ’27 took one of the most unusual study breaks in recent memory as a member of the United States Deaf National Women’s Soccer team. #LifeAtWitt
Read more #LifeAtWitt stories here.
#LifeAfterWitt
Currently a Ph.D. student in the chemistry department at the University of Kentucky, Christina Thompson ’21 is engaged in research that revolves around utilizing coal for conversion to high-value products such as carbon fiber and graphite rather than its traditional use as a fuel.
Read more #LifeAfterWitt stories here.
Refer a Tiger
Join our community-wide mission to spread our light by referring a Tiger to Wittenberg. No one knows Wittenberg better than the alumni who call our campus “home.” The admission team encourages you to refer students who will graduate from high school in 2024, 2025, or 2026, or who are interested in transferring. Click the button to learn more or submit a student’s information. Please call (937) 327-6314 or email admission@wittenberg.edu with questions. Thank you for supporting the Office of Admission and the future generations of Wittenberg University!
Give a More Impactful Gift
Now more than ever, supporters of Wittenberg are looking for smart, tax-savvy gifts to support students and their own financial goals. If you are 70.5 or older, you can give from your IRA to make an even greater impact for our Tigers. And thanks to this resource, it makes giving easier than ever. An IRA gift not only benefits your pockets but also makes a real-time difference for our work. Learn more about IRA gifts, and make your impact today!
Connect with Your Alumni Association
The Wittenberg University Alumni Association Board is here to serve the alumni community by supporting programming and welcoming suggestions that will help alumni feel more connected to and involved with the University. Do you have something you want to share with the Alumni Association Board? Submit this form to voice ideas, feedback, and suggestions to an Alumni Association Board member.