SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – In a year of celebrating Wittenberg University’s 175th birthday, the collective power, support, and generosity of the University’s alumni and friends has been a story of its own.

The passion and commitment of the Wittenberg community to affect change was tangible this last fiscal year (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) as evidenced by record-setting philanthropic success, proving once again that Tigers step up when called upon to do so. Because of Wittenberg alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, students, parents, and friends, Wittenberg raised a total of $7,502,297.15.

The University is sharing this milestone year in fundraising in a new online annual report, aptly themed “Because of You.”

“Wittenberg holds a special place in so many hearts, and this year that was made abundantly clear as we raised a record-setting $7,502,297.15 – $1.6 million more than last fiscal year,” Kocher shared in her special letter to alumni and friends on a new website, which highlights several other impressive statistics, as well as offers avenues for continued engagement in advancing Wittenberg’s mission. Other successes include: providing 451 scholarships to deserving students from charitable donations, welcoming 633 new donors, having 2,200 alumni attend events, and raising $457,716 in a single day during the University’s annual day of giving, Commit To Witt.

A huge highlight of the year, in addition to the more than $7.5 million raised, was the jump in the annual alumni participation rate, which went from 13% to 18.5%  – an incredible 5.5 percentage points in just one year.

“Most institutions celebrate when alumni participation increases by a few tenths of a percentage point, so seeing Wittenberg’s percentage jump as it did clearly demonstrates to our University community and those watching around the world that this institution matters and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” Kocher shared in her letter.