It鈥檚 time to Tiger Up and 鈥榩ass your light鈥� during Wittenberg鈥檚 annual Commit to Witt, March 10-11. This year鈥檚 event is themed 1845 MINUTES OF GIVING and takes place over two days with a range of opportunities to invest in and secure the University鈥檚 next 175 years.
Tigers from across the world will once again come together to shine their light, change the lives of students, and show what Wittenberg pride is all about, paying homage to the University鈥� founding (March 11), as they celebrate 1845 MINUTES OF GIVING.
鈥淭his campaign reflects our upward trajectory and commitment to our People, Place and the Present,鈥� said Rebecca Kocher, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement. 鈥淭he Wittenberg light has shone brightly since 1845, and together we can keep it lit for generations to come as we rally behind all that defines the University: the People, who inquire, create, inspire, and compete here; the Place, where we come together as a community and welcome others to learn and grow; and the Present, as the next generation of Wittenberg graduates learn to pass on their light.鈥�
Every gift on March 10-11 counts toward Wittenberg鈥檚 , the University鈥檚 $100 million comprehensive campaign, which publicly launched in 2021 during the annual Commit to Witt event. With a goal of $500,000 and 3,000-plus donations, this year鈥檚 Commit to Witt will begin at noon on March 10. More than 80 alumni, faculty, and staff have also agreed to serve as University ambassadors throughout the 1845 minutes, sharing social media content, generating more engagement in this effort, and encouraging giving among their peers.
Leveraging its fun, interactive crowdfunding platform, Commit to Witt will offer several options to match the various philanthropic interests of those participating. Areas for support include the Wittenberg Fund, the Wittenberg Opportunity Scholarship, faculty development, diversity and inclusion, Tiger Club, campus beautification, campus ministries, academic departments, and multiple other avenues. Individuals can make their gifts early and/or sign up to be an ambassador during the day by visiting .
Throughout the annual Commit to Witt event and in addition to sharing content, participants will fight for ambassador bragging rights and Wittenberg swag, race to the top of several leaderboards, attend one of the regional events, and so much more. Please consider making a gift as a way to pass Wittenberg鈥檚 light on to current and future students. Participants can also help Wittenberg unlock more than $200,000 in challenges and matches by making #Commit2Witt gifts and encouraging fellow alumni and friends to do the same.
In 2021, Commit to Witt raised $567,858 in one day, receiving 2,145 gifts from 1,535 donors with the average gift size being $265. Gifts came from 443 Witt Wed couples, 1,340 donors with a Greek affiliation, 70 different classes, and 52 challenges totaling $177,154.58. Gifts also came from alumni and friends in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five different countries.
To make your gift early, become a #Commit2Witt ambassador, or take part in the numerous challenges, go to .
This year鈥檚 challenges include:
$1,845 for 1845 GIFTS - The Wittenberg Alumni Board members are ALL IN as we celebrate Founder's Day. They will donate $1,845 when 1845 GIFTS are made during #Commit2Witt.
80's Grad Challenge - Molly Gartner Pirie 鈥�86, a proud Wittenberg alumna, is challenging her classmates to Tiger Up. She will donate $4,000 to the Wittenberg Fund, when 184.5 (wink, wink) classmates from the 鈥�80s give back during #Commit2Witt.
1:1 Match - $1,999 for Business - Business alumnus and Board of Directors member John Shumate 鈥�99 challenges his classmates to Tiger Up on #Commit2Witt, with a 1:1 match up to $1,999 for donations made to the Business and Economics Department Fund.
1:1 Match - CBS Scholarship - To celebrate 1845 Minutes of Giving, Larry James 鈥�74 is offering a 1:1 match, up to $5,000, for any gift designated to the CBS Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match - Football Tiger Club - Alumni couple Jim 鈥�88 and Brooke Bevilacqua Collins 鈥�88 love Wittenberg. That's why they are challenging other Tigers to give back and will match 1:1 up to $2,500 every Tiger Club Football donation during #Commit2Witt.
1:1 Match - McClain Center for Diversity & Inclusion - Join Jason Seegert 鈥�04, Chris Olson 鈥�03, David Atkins 鈥�00, Brian May 鈥�99, and Laurie Griffin 鈥�79 in supporting the McClain Center for Diversity and Inclusion Fund to provide enhanced student programming, leadership development opportunities, and more. They will match 1:1 the first $1,845 given to this fund.
1:1 Match - Study Away - John Hartje 鈥�70 and Carol Camper 鈥�70 believe in the power of study abroad and study away opportunities; their lives were both changed for the better because of their Witt-sponsored study abroad experiences as students! To celebrate #Commit2Witt, they will double your impact with a 1:1 match, up to $10,000, for donations made to ANY study away funds.
1:1 Match - Witt Fund - Ho Pak Kong 鈥�50 emeritus member of Wittenberg鈥檚 Board of Directors, will match every donation to the Witt Fund, up to $40,000.
1:1 Match - Career Exploration & Outcomes - Having Light Campaign managing co-chair Janet E. Jackson 鈥�75 will match 1:1 up to $2,500 any donations made to the Career Outcomes & Exploration Fund, which provides all students with the opportunity for programming and access to career preparation, networking, and direct mentor support.
1:1 Match - Witt Opportunity Scholarship - Our alumni know the power of unrestricted scholarships. To celebrate #Commit2Witt, an anonymous donor will double your impact with a 1:1 match for the first $7,000 donated to the Witt Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match - Summer Student Research - The Duncans, Mary (Castle) and Phil, both Class of 1970, know how important hands-on experience can be. That's why they are providing a 1:1 Match for any gift to the Summer Student Research Fund, up to $2,000.
1:1 Match - Student Support - To celebrate Founder's Day, gifts made to the John C. Lobach Memorial Fund, an endowed fund that supports students with unexpected financial need, will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, by Gary 鈥�70 and Rosanne Oatey.
1:1 Match 鈥� Greek Life Happy Hour - The ATO brothers are dedicated to Greek Life on campus. To show their Witt Spirit on #Commit2Witt, they are offering a 1:1 match, up to $1,000, for ANY gifts to the Greek Life Fund during Happy Hour.
1:1 Match - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Witt alumni know the importance of building a diverse and inclusive culture in our community. That's why Having Light Campaign managing co-chair Janet E. Jackson 鈥�75 will match 1:1, up to $2,500, any donations made to the McClain Center Fund.
1:1 Match - Choir Director Endowment - Joan Rogers 鈥�60 is celebrating #Commit2Witt with a musical flair and a 1:1 match up to $2,000 for any gifts made to the Wittenberg Choir Director Endowment.
1:1 Match - Tiger Club Pride - Athletic Director Brian Agler 鈥�80 and his wife Robin challenge athletic alumni, sport fans, and student-athletes to Tiger Up. On #Commit2Witt they will match dollar-for-dollar all donations to the Unrestricted Tiger Club Fund, up to $3,000.
1:1 Match - Faculty Development - On #Commit2Witt, Dr. Henry Jud & Melinda Barnhardt Jud 鈥�65 celebrate Witt's excellent faculty with a 1:1 match, up to $1,000, for any gift in support of the Faculty Development Fund.
1:1 Match - Campus Stewardship - Vice President Rob Young knows campus embodies a history of joint effort. Now this place is ours to pass on, leaving it better than we found it. Join him today with a gift to the Campus Beautification Fund, and he will match it 1:1, up to $1,845.
1:1 Match - Men's Soccer - Tom Kaiser 鈥�79 challenges fellow alumni to Tiger Up! On #Commit2Witt, he is offering a 1:1 match for gifts made in support of Men's Soccer, up to $2,000.
1:1 Match - Faculty Support - Our alumni know firsthand the impact our outstanding faculty have on student learning and personal growth. Peggy Fox 鈥�67 and Ian MacNiven will provide a 1:1 match, up to $5,000, for donations made to the Faculty Compensation Support Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Witt Fund BONUS MATCH - BONUS MATCH: Jonathan 鈥�93 and Suzanne Eilert 鈥�93 will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500, any gift made to support the University's greatest need, the Wittenberg Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Unrestricted Giving - Larry James 鈥�74 understands the importance of unrestricted giving. That's why to celebrate #Commit2Witt, he is offering a 1:1 match, up to $25,000, for any gift designated to the Wittenberg Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Wittenberg Fund - To celebrate #Commit2Witt and to keep this party going, Cheryl Patterson Cooper 鈥�82 will match the next $5,000 to the Wittenberg Fund dollar-for-dollar in honor of her father Jim, who sent three children to Witt and was a longtime member of the Benjamin Prince Society.
1:1 Match 鈥� Tiger Up! Witt Fund - Joining in on the fun of #Commit2Witt, Board of Directors member David Baines 鈥�69 is offering a 1:1 match for the next $2,000 donated to the Witt Fund. Tiger Up!
1:1 Match 鈥� Campus Beautification - Steve 鈥�75 and Mary Alice Schryver Neely 鈥�75 love Wittenberg鈥檚 historic campus. To kick off day two of #Commit2Witt, they challenge other alumni with a 1:1 match, up to $3,500, for any gifts made to the Campus Beautification Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Final Countdown - As a producer and screenwriter, alumna Lauren Schmidt Hissrich 鈥�00 knows the importance of a memorable ending. That's why she is offering a $5,000 match for gifts made to the Wittenberg Fund as part of the FINAL COUNTDOWN for our 1845 Minutes of Giving.
1:1 Match 鈥� Dinnertime Challenge - Dine & Donate! Join Business alumnus Bob Buchholtz 鈥�71 during the dinner hour, as he encourages alumni to give back, matching dollar-for-dollar, up to $3,600, any gift to the Witt Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Student Access and Scholarships - Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Operations Kristina Devine, and her husband Paul, know the value of a Witt education and the impact a scholarship can make. To kick off day two of #Commit2Witt, they will march dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000, any gifts made in support of the Witt Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
1:1 Match 鈥� Experiential Learning - Alumni like Gina Schaefer 鈥�93 know the importance of providing students access to career outcome support. Gina will match gifts 1:1, up to $1,000, to support programming and access to career exploration, preparation, and networking opportunities.
#WittWed Challenge - #WittWed couple Scott 鈥�01 and Deanna Carlson Ness 鈥�99 share the LOVE about all things Wittenberg. To celebrate Founder鈥檚 Day, they will donate $1,845 when 311 #WittWed couples give a gift.
Provost Challenge - Faculty Support - Wittenberg faculty work tirelessly to support student learning. To help give them the opportunity to learn and grow as teacher-scholars, Provost Mattson will donate $1,845 when 20 gifts are made to the Faculty Development Fund!
Senior Class Challenge - When 22 graduating seniors make a gift as part of #Commit2Witt, Vice President Casey Gill will donate $1,845 to the Class of 2022's senior class gift tradition.
Class Participation Challenge - Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations Rebecca Kocher, and her husband Brad, love a little friendly competition. To celebrate #Commit2Witt and alumni participation, they will donate $2,500 in honor of the class with the most gifts at the end of our 1845 Minutes!
Alumni Board 50 States Challenge - The Wittenberg Alumni Board know that Witt alumni are the best. They will donate $1,845 when gifts are received from all 50 states on #Commit2Witt.
Alumni Board Emeriti Challenge - Former Alumni Association Board member and current Board of Directors member Stacy Rastauskas 鈥�98 will unlock $2,500 when 50 Alumni Board emeritus members make a gift.
Tiger Up: President's Challenge - To motivate and inspire the Wittenberg community to Tiger Up and give generously, President Frandsen and wife Sharon will donate $1 per minute during #Commit2Witt!
Proud Tiger Match 鈥� Career Exploration - To celebrate day two of #Commit2Witt, an anonymous donor will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000, any donation made to the Career Exploration & Outcomes Fund.
Late-Night $10k Challenge - Our 1845 Minutes of Giving is still ticking, so Board of Directors member and California alumnus Bill Boggs 鈥�68 is issuing a late-night challenge. He will match 1:1 up to $10,000, any gift made while the rest of the country is asleep!
$1,845 鈥� x3 Challenge - To celebrate Founder鈥檚 Day, Board of Directors member Robert G. Merzweiler 鈥�76 is issuing three separate 1845 challenges: 1:1 Match up to $1,845 for donations made in the first 1845 seconds; $1,845 when we hit 1845 gifts; and a final $1,845 when we hit 3,000 gifts. That is a lot of Tiger spirit!
Lunchtime Match: Power Lunch for Tiger Club - What's your favorite power lunch? Ours is worth $1,845. From 12-2 p.m. ET, Board of Directors Chair Bill Edwards 鈥�89 will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,845, any donation made to the Tiger Club.
East Coast Challenge - Our 1845 Minutes of Giving is still ticking and Barbara Rankin 鈥�73 is issuing a challenge for those early risers! She will gift $2,500 to the Witt Fund if 50 East Coasters make a gift before the rest of the country wakes up!
1:1 Match - Rise Up! CBS Scholarship Fund - Rise Up! On #Commit2Witt, Board Emeriti member Ronald Woods '69 and his wife, Wendy '71, will generously match dollar for dollar the first $1,000 donated to the CBS Scholarship Fund.
