Published August 17, 2018
Wittenberg Alumni & Friends,
On Monday, August 20, the 2018-19 academic year at Wittenberg officially begins. I love this time of year, as I am eager to feel the energy and excitement that comes with our students' return. I also am pleased by the progress we have made on multiple fronts, which will continue to assist us in attracting students who want to uncover their true potential because they see in Wittenberg a set of values similar to their own.
This was certainly what I discovered during my year-long, 31-stop, 24,347-"Miles With Mike" alumni tour. To those who were able to attend, I thank you for doing so and for sharing with me such sentiments as "Wittenberg changed your life," or "I learned who I was meant to be because of Wittenberg." This is no accident. It's what we do here. We inspire students to think differently, to connect deeply with others, to be engaged learners, to serve, to play hard, and to thrive. More of your stories appear in our popular #LifeAfterWitt series online. I would also encourage you to check out our newest content addition, #LifeAtWitt.
Together, we are called to bring out the best in our students, and together, we must be partners in their success. I hope this newly revamped communication proves helpful in informing and inspiring you as the year unfolds.
Best Regards,
Michael Frandsen, Ph.D.
President
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Welcome New Students
On August 16, the 536 members of the Class of 2022 arrived on campus where they were greeted by fellow students, faculty, and staff as part of Wittenberg's official all-campus move-in experience. This followed a special Facebook Live event, August 8, to help incoming students and their families prepare for the transition.
Steel Rising
Construction of Wittenberg's new Health, Wellness & Athletics facility will become far more visible in the year ahead. The raising of the steel framing, including installation of the first 240-square foot rafter, began in earnest in early August with the lobby and interior areas seeing considerable transformation.
New Nursing Program
With the need for more nurses intensifying nationally, Wittenberg will now offer its own four-year, fully self-contained Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program starting this fall. The University received approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing, Ohio Department of Higher Education, and Higher Learning Commission to proceed with its liberal arts-inspired nursing program.
JET Bound
Wittenberg's tradition of excellence in student admission to the highly competitive Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program continues as two more recent graduates prepare to serve in the island nation. Kayla Johnson and Sierra Mazurowski, both class of 2018, depart for Japan this month. For the last 15 years, Wittenberg has had at least one student accepted into this prestigious program each year.
Diversity & Inclusion
Joshua Moore, former associate director of the Serving Engaged Empowered & Diverse Students Office (S.E.E.D.S) at Texas A&M University-Commerce, is Wittenberg's new assistant dean of diversity and inclusion for the Office of Student Development. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome Josh to Wittenberg and look forward to his work engaging students and colleagues in diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts," said Casey Gill, dean of students. "He will be a great partner to advance our aim of inclusive excellence.鈥�
Civic Engagement
Two members of Wittenberg's geology faculty, Sarah Fortner and John Ritter, are gaining national attention for their commitment to infusing civic learning into the University's environmental science and geology programs. 鈥淲e actually do make a difference to the community we live in, and it's really satisfying as a citizen of this town to see that,鈥� Fortner said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 especially satisfying to see students recognize that their work matters.鈥�
New Board Members
Wittenberg's Board of Directors met on campus for its summer retreat this week, August 7-8. The Board toured campus facilities, discussed master planning, received the findings of our recent campaign feasibility study, and heard an update on strategic enrollment plans going into the 2018-19 year. The Board also welcomed two new members, Wendy Ford '76 and Steve Neely '75, both of Springfield.
Southern Womanhood
Catherine Egley Waggoner, professor of communication and department chair, examines the role that myths of southern womanhood play in real women鈥檚 lives in the Mississippi Delta in her latest book Realizing Our Place: Real Southern Women in a Mythologized Land, co-authored with her sister, Laura Egley Taylor. The book will be released this month.
Alumni In The News / #LifeAfterWitt
Adam Hewitt 鈥�06 is leading a life of public service in his position as director of operations for U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the office and assists in managing the congressman鈥檚 schedule.
Though her resume lists a wide variety of seemingly unrelated careers, Apryl Walker Pope 鈥�01, founder and CEO of a financial advising company, has always had one professional goal in mind: to improve the lives of others.
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus of Music Robert Wynne passed away July 7, 2018. After studying piano with renowned teacher Nadia Boulanger on a Fulbright Grant, he taught at Wittenberg from 1958-1993 and performed as a soloist with the Springfield Orchestra and the Western Reserve Symphony. Ron Lucchesi, who taught in the department of business for 29 years and served as an advisor to Tau Pi Phi, passed away on July 12, 2018.