Published July 10, 2021
Wittenberg Alumni and Friends,
I cannot begin to thank you for your continuing support of everything that makes Wittenberg University a distinctive, life-changing education for our students. Thank you! We will once again showcase our fundraising success in a forthcoming online report, but I wanted to provide a brief snapshot of where we landed as fiscal year 2021 concludes.
Because of alumni and friends like you, the University was able to achieve an impressive level of philanthropy despite the economic downturn brought about by the global coronavirus pandemic. With a more than 72% increase in giving year over year, the impact of private support on our ongoing campaign is tremendous. The $100 million Having Light: The Campaign for Wittenberg University is the most ambitious effort of its kind in our history. It is a campaign for Wittenberg itself: for the people, for the place, and for the present, and through it, we will ensure that the cherished Wittenberg light shines for generations.
As Campaign Managing Co-Chair Janet E. Jackson '75 explained so eloquently: “’Having light’ means different things to different people. Light can mean passion, talent, knowledge, wisdom, a divine spark, or the light of grace. Our light is our legacy.”
Thank you for sharing your legacy with us.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Kocher
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement
Making Connections
A bold overhaul of the University’s general education curriculum is underway and set to launch this fall with the Class of 2025. Providing a new way for students to engage in courses and the world beyond Wittenberg, the new Connections Curriculum will require each student to complete three experiential learning components, a “cross-campus connection” that will integrate the content of three academic courses with their experiential learning, and a culminating reflection experience.
Campaign Regional Events
Since the public launch of the Having Light Campaign on March 11, many alumni have been planning events that will be hosted in person between the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2023. Look for event dates on the Having Light Campaign site.
Let us know if you would like to join a planning committee for one of the following regions:
- Springfield/Dayton
- Columbus
- Cleveland
- Cincinnati
- Chicago
- Washington, D.C.
- Detroit/Toledo
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Tampa/ Sarasota
Meaningful Belonging
Focusing on facilitative belonging and engagement through co-curricular programming, the Office of Student Involvement has embraced a new strategic focus and expanded its vision for student success as several new staff members join the team.
Homecoming, Reunion, and Family Weekend
If you are in the classes of 1960/61, 1970/71, 1980/81, 1990/91, 2000/01, 2010/11, or 2020/21, please make your plans to join us for a reunion during Homecoming 2021! In addition, Family Weekend will take place at the same time as Homecoming & Reunion Weekend in 2021. We look forward to welcoming students and their family members to participate in the wide range of events and activities we will have planned. You can help to plan your class party. All alumni and friends are invited to participate in the many weekend activities. #TigerUp
Nominate FUTURE Tigers Now
Tiger Up, and take a few minutes to refer a high school student to Wittenberg. You can make a difference by submitting your referrals, and Wittenberg will honor the referred student with a $1,000 per year Alumni Referral Award. Please complete this form. All high school-aged students can receive your referral nomination!
Serving Their Alma Mater
Dedicated to preserving and advancing the mission of Wittenberg, the University’s Board of Directors has named two new members: Stacy Rastauskas Bretherton ’98, vice president of government affairs for The Ohio State University, and John C. Marschhausen ’93, who will begin a new position Aug. 1 as superintendent and CEO of Dublin City Schools in Dublin, Ohio.
Wittenberg also recently welcomed eight new members to the Alumni Board, which works to support the University’s mission and values, and encourage alumni engagement in the life of the institution. Joining the board are Elizabeth Ayers ’80, Todd Friend ’92, Kevin Hooker ’02, Evelyn Jones ’84, Manny LaMarre ’09, John LePelley ’05, Chad Minnick ’98, and Barry Zulauf ’79.
Community Leader
Brian Yontz, chair and associate professor of education, is serving as interim director of the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement this summer while the University conducts a search for the Center’s next leader. In addition to overseeing the summer internship program for 19 students, Yontz is working with campus stakeholders on the civic engagement course offerings as Wittenberg transitions to a new curriculum in the fall.
#LifeAfterWitt
Jason Gregory ’20 overcame numerous challenges to become a first-generation college graduate and resident opportunity self-sufficiency service coordinator with the Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority – the same system he grew up in. Read more #LifeAfterWitt stories here.