Published January 27, 2020
Wittenberg Alumni & Friends,
Happy New Year! We were excited to begin the celebration of our 175th birthday with the first-ever event. The live YouTube conversation on January 16 allowed me to provide our alumni and friends with a brief update and answer questions. To everyone who took the time to tune in and/or submit questions, thank you.
My thanks also go to Board member Janet E. Jackson '75, who served as our moderator, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Rebecca Kocher, and student Kari Truax '20 who joined me at the event. In addition, I want to thank the alumni chapters that hosted special viewing events. We continue to receive positive feedback about the event, and we will be exploring similar engagement opportunities for the future.
Since the YouTube live conversation covered many of the questions alumni have asked me over the last few years, I want to encourage you to if you were unable to participate earlier this month.
Our 175th year marks a time for reflection and the chance to build on our forward momentum. To honor our birthday, I ask that you continue to tell your story, wear your red and white, refer prospective students, hire an intern or recent grad, pass your light, support our future, stay connected, and come back to campus often.
Best Regards,
Michael Frandsen, Ph.D.
President
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Our Cleveland Alumni Chapter joined with fellow chapters in hosting watch parties for the live YouTube conversation with President Frandsen. Click to watch, and feel free to send additional questions to us via email.
Honoring MLK
Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, presented 鈥淗olding Fast to Dreams: A 5-Year Experiment in American Higher Education鈥� as speaker at this year鈥檚 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. Concerned Black Students and the Diversity Advisory Committee also sponsored a day of lectures, workshops, and discussions to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.
New To Board
Board of Directors Chair Rev. Jonathan Eilert '93 and President Mike Frandsen have announced the newest members of the Board. The Rev. Dr. Scott Ness 鈥�01, associate pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Georgia, and John Shumate 鈥�99, a high-visibility brand builder for world-class corporations such as Eastbay and PepsiCo, will each serve a three-year term.
Pipeline Project
Wittenberg and the Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District recently celebrated the inaugural year of the Pipeline Partnership, a project that exists to identify and develop students interested in teaching who come from underrepresented groups. Four first-year Wittenberg students were selected to participate in the Pipeline Project.
Ken Benne '68
Thousands of alumni will remember the special notes Ken Benne '68 always wrote in their acceptance letters. For more than 50 years, Ken, who led the admission office for three decades before assisting advancement in alumni engagement, has dedicated his life to his alma mater, ensuring that each student felt welcomed and all alumni felt Tiger pride. To honor his commitment and recently announced retirement from Wittenberg, gifts in Ken's honor can be made to the Class of 1968 Scholarship and to Tiger Club, both of which hold special places in his heart. If you would like to share well-wishes with Ken, please click here.
Teaching Excellence
NPR affiliate WYSO recently interviewed Professor of Sociology Keith Doubt about his latest book, Ethnic and National Identity in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Kinship and Solidarity in a Polyethnic Society, and the impact of the historic Dayton Peace Accords.
, professor of biology and the first holder of the newly established Elizabeth (Betty) E. Powelson Endowed Chair in Biology, recently recorded a podcast on 鈥淐oncussion Matters.鈥�
#WittWed Stories
Whether it's the Kissing Bridge or just the midwestern air, alumni have found love at Wittenberg. With Valentine's Day nearing, Wittenberg wants to hear from its alumni couples. Share your stories by . Stories submitted will be included on a brand new website unless otherwise noted on inquiry form.
Sports Update
On the courts, men's basketball leads the NCAC and ranks in the top 10 nationally, women's basketball sports a 13-5 overall record (as of Jan. 27), and men's volleyball kicked off the new season with a pair of wins before hosting the Jim Coleman Invitational Jan. 17-18. The track and field teams hosted their second indoor invitational meet in The Steemer on Jan. 25, and the swimming and diving squads celebrated their seniors during a dual meet against Centre College on Jan. 24.
#LifeAfterWitt: Alumni in the News
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich '00 lands top spot as show runner on Netflix's popular The Witcher series, continuing her impressive success in the entertainment industry.
Kelli Harrod鈥檚 artwork is taking center stage 鈥� literally. A 2016 graduate who works as a freelance scenic designer and painter, Harrod uses her talents and passion for art to create a whole new world on the stage in plays, musicals, and TV shows.
With more than 760 career coaching wins, Charlie Painter 鈥�69 was inducted into the Ohio Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. As founder and president of the Miami Valley Tennis Coaches Association, Painter has advanced the sport of tennis and coaching.
Birthday Bash
As Wittenberg celebrates 175 years of passing light on to others this year, an annual tradition will continue the birthday theme. Commit to Witt, the University's 24-hour day of giving, is fast approaching. , wear Witt gear, and make your gift on March 11, the actual day of the University's founding back in 1845. This year's goal: $175,000 to support every aspect of the student experience.
Postcard Project
It鈥檚 time to register for the Alumni Postcard Project. Sign up to send a postcard to 10 applicants telling them your Wittenberg story and what makes the University special. . Alumni postcard packets will be mailed mid-January, and we ask that you write and mail your 10 postcards by March 1.