With the mission of serving as a liaison for Wittenberg University by engaging and connecting the alumni body for the purpose of supporting the University’s mission and goals, the Alumni Board works to encourage alumni engagement in the life of the institution.
"We're proud of the work we do to support our beloved Wittenberg and are eager to welcome this new slate of Alumni Board representatives," said Alumni Board President Jenn Ramage, class of 2000.
This year, a total of 26 nominations were submitted for consideration. The newest members will meet with the executive team for orientation in late October before starting their respective terms.
Joining the Alumni Board this year are: Phil Koch, class of 1999; Mike Lawrence, class of 1989; Arif Mirza, class of 2005; Stephanie Morgan-White, class of 1992; Matthew Overturf, class of 2011; and Kelly Sumption, class of 2001.
Koch, who graduated with a B.A. in theater and education, is executive director of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Foundation. Residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he has been working to strengthen communities, starting out as a school teacher in both Chicago and Pittsburgh before leaving the classroom for the non-profit sector. In his current role, he works with local leaders, community philanthropists, and the nonprofit partners to tackle the most pressing issues in the county. He also oversees the foundation’s grantmaking initiatives focused on supporting vulnerable populations, community and economic development, and capacity-building for the nonprofit sector. Additionally, Koch founded and currently leads the Westmoreland County Nonprofit Network, a coalition that provides advocacy and education for the nonprofit sector.
Lawrence, who graduated with a B.A. in music and political science, is a commander and judge for the United States Navy. A regular participant at Washington, D.C. alumni events and a member of the Benjamin Prince Society, he resides in Annapolis, Maryland. Early in his career, he was hired by Major League Baseball’s Umpire Development and served as a minor league umpire during the 1992 and 1993 seasons before earning his J.D. in 1997 from Wayne State University Law School, in Detroit, Michigan. Commissioned as an active duty officer, he embarked on a career in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps with assignments in Diego Garcia, Bahrain, and as department head on the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), operating throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans and homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. He also served as an assistant professor and assistant department chair at the U.S. Naval Academy, as senior counsel to the Navy’s submarine forces, and had a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. During his time at Wittenberg, Lawrence was president and vice president of Sigma Nu fraternity, an Admission intern and tour guide, and a member of the Brass Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra while also accompanying the Wittenberg Choir on trumpet.
Mirza, who graduated with a B.A. in political science and a minor in business, is a project manager for Speedway LLC in Springfield, Ohio, and regularly attends Wittenberg programs and events. A lifelong Springfield resident, Mirza has worked in a variety of business roles within the financial services, procurement, mergers and acquisitions, and project management fields. He earned his M.B.A. from Wright State University in 2018. Locally, he serves on the board of directors for the Springfield Arts Council, is a fundraising volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, serves as a member of the Springfield Country Club membership committee, and is president of his Homeowners Association.
Morgan-White graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in sociology. During her time on campus, she was an admission tour guide, a member and officer of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a cheerleader, and a member of multiple honorary organizations. After graduating from Wittenberg, she went on to obtain her J.D. in 1995 from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and is currently a trust principal/attorney with The Glenview Trust Company in Louisville, Kentucky. Certified by the American Bankers Association (ABA) as a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), Morgan-White serves on the ABA Wealth and Trust School Advisory Board, the Northeast Family YMCA Board of Advisors, the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee for the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, and the Louisville Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association Executive Board. She resides on a mini farm outside of Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, Craig, two daughters, Morgan (class of 2023) and Shelby, who is also considering continuing the tradition, along with two horses and two dogs.
Overturf, who earned his B.A. in political science with a minor in business, is a government relations officer for Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). A past participant in admitted student receptions, he resides in Columbus, Ohio. During his time at Wittenberg, Overturf competed on the track and cross-country teams, was cross-country team captain, and worked as a tour guide and intern in the Office of Admission. After graduating, he was selected to participate in a state legislative fellowship and has held various positions in state government since that time. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy (Stamon) Overturf ’13, daughter, Sloane, and dog, Willett.
Sumption, who graduated with a B.A. in English and management, is currently vice president of client marketing for the retail home brands for Synchrony Financial. She has 20 years of experience leading marketing strategies and client engagement, driving consumer acquisition, activation and loyalty across a variety of industries in both retail and financial services. Sumption manages a team focused on utilizing private label credit and loyalty to drive consumer traffic and sales for many partners. During the past 10 years at Synchrony, formerly GE Capital, she has developed and launched many campaigns geared to driving double digit growth in digital, sales, and new accounts for many of her partners. She has also worked hand-in-hand with executives at many retailers in industries such as fashion, flooring, hardware, sewing, vision/fashion eyewear, furniture, bedding and electronics/appliances. She and her husband Jeff, class of 2001, and two boys, Braden and Connor, reside in Dublin, Ohio. She is active with her church, her kids’ schools, and is the team mom for the Dublin Bats Baseball Club 13u, her son’s travel baseball team.
