Published December 12, 2020
Wittenberg Alumni and Friends,
The year 2020 is about to conclude, and as I think about all we experienced as a community this past year, I do so with sincere appreciation and deepest respect. We called on our students, faculty, staff, and alumni to step up in ways that no one imagined when we all said "Happy New Year" 12 months ago.
And our community delivered. Together, we succeeded in being able to offer in-person learning because we all made health and safety a priority. We watched as alumni engaged with us and supported us, including with gifts to our COVID Crisis Fund, attendance at virtual events, and nearly $50,000 in donations during Giving Tuesday in early December. The effort additionally supported our Concerned Black Students (CBS) Endowed Scholarship Fund, which now is fully funded and will provide annual support in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends. Moving forward, we turn our attention to our own traditional day of giving, Commit To Witt, on March 11, 2021, the day of our founding and a time that I am confident will inspire you as we reveal a major initiative. Look for more details and teasers starting in early 2021.
As we say farewell to 2020, Sharon and I want to express our gratitude and thanks once again. This year especially we saw the power of the Wittenberg light being passed on in classes, research, across athletics, in student organizations, and in philanthropy. May the new year continue to show the best of community, service, giving, wonder, wisdom, and Wittenberg.
Best regards,
Mike Frandsen
Alumni Band Hits the Charts
Thomas and the Work-Men, a band featuring four Wittenberg alumni, is sending waves and good vibes through the music industry with the abounding success of its latest EP, Good Company, which recently debuted at #4 Top Albums on Apple iTunes Top 200. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the band toured the country, playing shows in Nashville, Charlestown, and Chicago. With live performances currently on hold, the band will offer a virtual holiday concert for alumni at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
#LifeAfterWitt
Erika Rich 鈥�15 and Jessica Sinclair 鈥�16 have created the nonprofit Bloom Foundation Gives to help breast cancer patients by raising awareness and funds. James Lesinski 鈥�14 serves as counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary of the U.S. House of Representatives. Also in the nation鈥檚 capital is Madeline Stock 鈥�19, who is using her nursing degree to care for cancer patients in Medstar Hospital鈥檚 oncology unit. Read more #LifeAfterWitt stories here.
Preparing Students for #LifeAfterWitt
Nancy McHugh, professor of philosophy, department chair, and director of the new Wittenberg Institute for Public Humanities and Sciences, was recently interviewed by Zippia.com about the job market for undergraduate students. She offered comments on the skills students will need to start a career in an uncertain economic climate.
Athletics Hall of Honor
Seven 六合彩网上投注app greats have been selected for induction into the school鈥檚 Athletics Hall of Honor, in addition to an alumnus who will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Aljancic '02, Dane Borchers 鈥�07, Dan Furry 鈥�86, Monica McDonald Wright 鈥�05, Suzanne Medwid Ambron 鈥�09, Dale Pittenger 鈥�72, and Jen Weiss 鈥�90 will officially join nearly 250 other Wittenberg greats who have previously been inducted into the University's Athletics Hall of Honor. In addition, Steve Moore '74 becomes the sixth recipient of the Athletics Hall of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more here.
Tiger Swag Success
A special T-shirt fundraiser launched by Brian 鈥淒uke鈥� 鈥�03 and Jen Lundregan Armstrong 鈥�04 has resulted in a $15,111.90 donation to Wittenberg and more than 1,350 items of apparel sold. In response to the high number of requests, the couple is now offering Wittenberg-branded face masks for sale .
Final Call to Refer Seniors
January 1, 2021, is the deadline for ALL referrals of any high school senior graduating in Spring 2021. Referrals for all other grades will be accepted throughout the year. Refer a student today or contact Linda Beals at lbeals@wittenberg.edu or by phone at 937-327-6324.
Save the Date
Wittenberg's annual day of giving is fast approaching on March 11. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador during this year's Commit to Witt, .