Published November 23, 2020
Wittenberg Community,
With winter break and Thanksgiving nearing, I want to extend my thanks to each of you for your diligence in following our health and safety guidelines this semester. I recognize that this was challenging few months for everyone, but our ability to remain in-person for the majority of the fall semester was the direct result of our collaborative efforts. I encourage you to continue to wear your face coverings, stay six feet apart, and wash your hands regularly during the upcoming holidays and winter break, not only for your health and safety, but for those closest to you. I would also ask that you be ready to follow the same protocols when classes resume January 19.
In terms of enrollment, as of today, we are ahead in several key areas, including applications, accepts, and deposits, compared to this time last year. We believe that our ability to offer in-person visits for prospective students and families has played a critical role in our success to date, which again affirms the importance of our community’s commitment to health and safety for all Tigers. In addition, our $100-million campaign goal has now hit the $72 million mark, which is great news as we look to launch the campaign publicly in 2021.
Lastly, I want to thank our COVID Response Team (CRT) as it continues to monitor the situation in our state and nation in partnership with the Clark County Combined Health District. This group meets daily, and I think it is imperative that you all know how much the team appreciates you. On behalf of the CRT, Dr. Alan Stewart ’69, who also serves on our Board, recently shared some of his reflections in a special communication, which I’m sharing below.
Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you again for doing your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on our campus this past semester.
Best Regards,
Michael Frandsen, Ph.D.
President
Wittenberg University
CRT Reflection & Thanks
From providing a helpful Q&A related to COVID health and safety to assisting with COVID-related campus needs, Dr. Alan Stewart ’69 has shown a servant’s heart, along with fellow alumni physicians Dr. Dave Hopper ’63 and Dr. Laurice Moore ’95, in helping Wittenberg navigate this pandemic. He recently reflected on this fall in a special communication here.
Halloween Fun
Our hallowed halls have always had a spirited feel as Mike Mattison, associate provost and professor of English, recently shared in this fun reading of ghostly tales adapted from President Emeritus William A. Kinnison's book America's Most Haunted Campus. The video was a Halloween hit on social media and for our prospective students and alumni last month. Click below to view video.
Serving Our Community
Our Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement has partnered with the Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) to offer students the opportunity to make contract tracing calls. Thanks to IT, calling stations were set up in the Hagen Center, and several students are now volunteering in this capacity. Read more here.
New to Wittenberg
Since the end of October, we have welcomed a few new members to our University community. To view the list compiled by the Office of Human Resources, click here.
Helping with Health & Safety
With the cancellation of sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Department of Athletics and Recreation has taken on a different role this semester, as has the HWA Complex. Learn more here.
SAC Shout-Out
The Staff Advisory Council would like to send this month’s shout-out to all the Physical Plant employees. They have worked tirelessly on campus during these very trying times overseeing the daily operations of the warehouse, and maintaining our grounds/buildings and the upkeep of the University’s landscape. Campus has remained beautiful and clean throughout the pandemic because of them. Amidst all of this, they have constantly been there for our students answering work orders in our campus residence halls and houses while upholding COVID-19 guidelines. Thank you all for being an example of leadership throughout this pandemic and caring for our campus community!