Published February 16, 2019
Wittenberg Alumni & Friends,
This week included an event on our campus. Called "I 'Heart' Witt Day," the Advancement-driven program encourages students, faculty, and staff to take time to thank our alumni and friends for their ongoing engagement, generosity, and support. During the day, members of our community penned 800 postcards, shared what makes this University so special, posted on social media, and walked around campus simply saying thanks. It reminded me of what first attracted Sharon and me to Wittenberg -- a true sense of community.
Our community continues to grow and thrive. Last week, I announced that Dr. Michelle Mattson, associate vice president of academic affairs for institutional effectiveness at Rhodes College, will serve as our new Provost. Michelle joins two other recent senior team additions, Carola Thorson, vice president for enrollment management, and Rob Young, vice president for finance and administration. I encourage you to read more about Michelle below.
It is the season for faculty searches. Biology and computer science have successfully concluded searches, and we have had recent visits by candidates in business (marketing), exercise science, and religion. We are also investing in student success with new hires in our COMPASS: Sweet Success Center and in athletics, as well as in other areas that directly support our recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, the first meeting of the newly established President's Council for Diversity and Inclusion occurred late last month. The Council will play an essential role in engaging our entire community in work designed to ensure that Wittenberg is a more inclusive and inviting campus for all individuals, and this meeting affirmed that we have a committed group of colleagues at the table.
As our new skyline takes shape with the restoration and expansion of our Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) facility, and as we prepare to gather with you in celebrating its opening and our community again during Homecoming, October 24-27, I remain energized and excited by what can be accomplished when we all work together.
As always, thank you for sharing your Wittenberg memories at this email and for continuing to shine your light in your own communities.
Best Regards,
Michael Frandsen, Ph.D.
President
Wittenberg University
New Provost Named
President Michael L. Frandsen has announced that Michelle Mattson, associate vice president of academic affairs for institutional effectiveness at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, will serve as the institution’s new Provost. Mattson is expected to begin her new role on or before July 1.
Diversifying Classrooms
Thanks to $20,000 in seed funding from the Strengthening Ohio’s Teacher Pipeline Through Partnership grant program, administered through the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), Wittenberg and the Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District (YSEVSD) will be working collaboratively during the next three years to increase the number of underrepresented teachers employed by YSEVSD and the number of underrepresented students enrolled in Wittenberg’s Teacher Education Program (WTEP). Additionally, the funding will provide for training of both WTEP and YSEVSD faculty with regard to mentoring students from underrepresented groups.
Good Samaritans
Wittenberg’s new nursing program has received $31,000 in hospital equipment thanks to Premier Health Partners, which donated the equipment after the closing of Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. The equipment will furnish the new simulation lab located in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.
National Recognition
Justin Unternaher, a Tiger Health Educator and member of the class of 2019, created and organized a series of student activities last year called “Springing Out of Insecurities Week.” This unique campus event earned national recognition by the National Association of College Activities (NACA).
Legacy Honored
For the ninth year in a row, Wittenberg partnered with Springfield City Schools to host the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2019 last month. Led by Wittenberg students, approximately 30 middle-schoolers participated in games and artistic and educational activities focused on Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of legacy.
Sports Update
On the court, the Tiger men’s basketball team is on a hot streak, including double-digit wins over nationally ranked conference rivals Wooster and Wabash in their last two contests; the women’s basketball team is nearing a top-four NCAC finish; and the men’s volleyball team is off to a 7-5 start as the preseason favorite in its conference. The swimming and diving teams are competing in the NCAC Championships February 13-16, and the track and field teams are preparing for the NCAC Indoor Championships March 1-2. The 2019 spring season also gets underway in February, including for men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and women’s water polo.
I Heart Witt Day
The annual “I Heart Witt” Day was celebrated, February 13. By this time of the year in a student's education, philanthropic support would kick in as tuition dollars cover only a fraction of the educational expenses of Wittenberg students. As such, students, faculty, and staff took time to show their love of Wittenberg and its generous supporters by signing hundreds of thank-you cards. View a special video by the 2018 Distinguished Teacher Adam Parker, professor of mathematics and department chair, on why Wittenberg is so special to him.
Postcard Project
Help recruit the Class of 2023! Alumni can give back to their alma mater in an easy way by connecting with a potential Tiger through the postcard project. Share your Wittenberg experience with an admitted student — the personal contact from you just might influence them to say "yes" to Wittenberg. To participate, click on the link below and register by February 28. To date, 150 past participants have committed. Join them and help reach the goal of 250 alumni sending their Wittenberg messages around the world. The Office of Admission and the Office of Alumni & Lifelong Engagement thank you for partnering in this effort.
Exceeding Expectations
Thanks to alumni and friends of the University, the Student Referral Program exceeded expectations. Of the 445 students referred, 350 are potential future members of the class of 2023, and 272 of those were sent to us by alumni. The admission staff thanks you for your outreach to students in your own backyard. Please consider referring a student in our upcoming call to action or get a head start now. We are looking for great students for the Wittenberg classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022!
Celebrate Learning
Wittenberg’s seventh annual Liberal Arts in Action: A Celebration of Learning is taking place, April 5. Close to 150 students representing the best in academic excellence will showcase their work, research with faculty, and experiences throughout the day. Alumni are invited to tune into via the Wittenberg Facebook page throughout the day to watch some of the sessions and the Honors Convocation live. Interested in supporting Celebration of Learning on an alumni panel or during a networking event? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations and Lifelong Engagement here.
Save The Date
The 63rd Annual Wittenberg Guild Scholarship Style Show will be held on May 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Benham-Pence Student Center Dining Room. With a theme of “The Pursuit of Style – J’Adore Paris,” the event will include silent and live auctions, lunch, and style show featuring summer fashions from local boutiques. Shop, eat, and benefit local students by helping provide scholarship funds to students from Clark County attending Wittenberg. For more information about attending or sponsoring this event, please contact the Office of Advancement at 937-327-7430.
Alumni Board
The Alumni Board, made up of 24 dedicated alumni, recently met in Savannah, Georgia, for the first quarterly meeting of the year. Led by Allison Scaia ’09, the Alumni Board works to engage current and future alumni in a lifelong relationship with Wittenberg.
Alumni In The News / #LifeAfterWitt
Brian Kuhn ’03, superintendent of Clark-Shawnee Local School District in Springfield, is a shining example of Wittenberg’s education program, which aims to foster the capacities of character, competence, and community required to be an effective change agent in today’s classroom.
Faculty Excellence
Sunny Jeong, assistant professor of business, received the 2018 Showcase Symposium Award from the 78th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management. She co-organized a symposium on research methods in management, spirituality, and religion.
Professor of Political Science Rob Baker has been named the 2018-19 Laatsch Scholar. Recipient of the 2011 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, Baker is the founder of Wittenberg's Local Government Management Internship Program and the author of Government in the Twilight Zone.