Wittenberg Magazine

04/20/2024

Some days I just want to rewind the clock. And yesterday was definitely one of those days when I learned about Associate Professor of English Andrew Graff’s Wilderness Writers class and this hands-on learning experience, one of many that reflect Witt’s dynamic teaching model.

Leveraging Springfield’s beautiful ECO Sports Corridor - Whitewater Park at nearby Snyder Park, Andy, author of two highly acclaimed novels, “True North” and “Raft of Stars,” immersed his students - literally - into the world found in Peter Heller’s “The River.” (Andy’s 20 years of experience as a whitewater rafting guide on numerous rivers proved an added bonus to the adventure.)

I know I can’t go back to my college days and check the box for such a class, but I can certainly smile knowing that literature is still being brought to life each day at my alma mater. (Time to Google kayak lessons, too.)

04/15/2024

There is community, and then there is the Wittenberg community. And one week ago today, the Wittenberg community gathered together to watch an awe-inspiring moment during the Great North American Eclipse, April 8.

There, in Wittenberg Stadium, “WittClipse” unfolded as faculty shared expertise, and as students engaged in games and activities. Food proved plentiful, and fun defined the day leading up to 100% totality.

And then it happened — the moon slipped in front of the sun for just under three minutes on a beautiful afternoon, and with it, Wittenberg students, faculty, and staff voiced their own form of “wow” in a one-of-kind way that I’ll remember forever.

The video, which we shared that day, gives a glimpse of that moment, along with what community looks and feels like at Wittenberg. It’s an experience that always reflects a special light — literally and figuratively — and one that unites generations, with or without an amazing eclipse.

10/27/2023

When the leaves turn into beautiful hues of gold and red, and the sun hits the Hollow in just the right way, magic happens at Wittenberg as autumn vibes abound. Photos by John Coffman

10/18/2023

I’m seeing a common denominator across these shots. Guessing you can too, as the smiles on display during Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend shine through. I keep looking back at our Flickr gallery here and there, as so many of the photos speak to what it means to be in the Wittenberg family. The energy on campus was incredible on Oct. 5-8, along with Saturday’s crisp, yet comfortable fall temps and mixed blue skies. It’s been 30 years (how in the world did that happen?) since I graduated, but the memories never seem to fade — another common denominator of Wittenberg University Alumni. Enjoy your own look back through the gallery here: https://tinyurl.com/WittHCPhotos 📷:Gracie Becker

09/22/2023

Sometimes it’s just about taking it all in — the people who help make the magic happen, the students who bring their own unique energy to each day, and the spots around campus that don’t always make the shot list. This Friday is one of those days as we look back at a few favs from John Coffman at Wittenberg University.

09/01/2023

What a week-and-a-half at Witt! From welcoming our newest Tigers to the start of classes, the scenes from the last few days rekindled so many fond memories of those first moments on campus. The friendly smiles of faculty and staff. The helping hands. The meet-and-greets. The laughs. The late-night chats among roommates. The newfound interests. And the passionate, engaging teaching styles that help make Witt’s classrooms among the nation’s best. Here’s to a great year ahead! Welcome back! 📷: John Coffman

07/29/2023

A month from today the 2023-24 academic year begins, bringing with it an energy all its own. Getting excited to welcome our newest students and those returning in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, here is a quick look back at last year's Move-In Day, which marks the official start of Welcome Week and shows the power of our caring community, as well as the ecosystem of support that defines the Wittenberg experience. Photos by John Coffman

04/29/2023

Shall we dance? Yes indeed. And in the process of watching the spring dance concert, we get yet another opportunity to see students pursue their passions with the intensity and pride these images convey.

Two more free shows are scheduled for tonight and tomorrow afternoon, but the passions discovered through a Wittenberg education last a lifetime — something these students will know soon just as our 26,000+ alumni already do.

Enjoy the show. Shout-out to John Coffman for another great set of photos, too. Wittenberg University Theatre & Dance

04/17/2023

So a cool thing happened in Massachusetts over the weekend. A former student-writer/intern for the magazine, Sarah Gearhart, class of 2006, fulfilled a dream as her first book, We Share the Sun, had its official launch at the Boston Public Library — an intentional choice given the subject and timing of the Boston Marathon today.

A New York City-based sportswriter and former senior producer at USA TODAY Sports Media, Sarah presents a powerful, moving portrait in her debut biography of one of the world’s most fascinating coaches, Patrick Sang, and the elite Kenyan runners who have set the standard for excellence thanks to Sang’s holistic philosophy.

An avid runner herself, Sarah has completed 14 marathons around the world, including the Boston Marathon three times, so the opportunity to learn from and gain unprecedented access to Kenya’s coaching legend was an incredible gift. Combine this gift with Sarah’s passion for reading, and a public library situated near the end of the marathon route proved the perfect spot to launch her book.

As so many alumni know, the power of Wittenberg is in the relationships that form between faculty, students, staff, coaches, and alumni. I experienced that firsthand with Sarah as she honed her craft and set the path for her future career. I cannot begin to articulate the joy that comes from seeing a former mentee and magazine writer succeed. The friendship that we have developed over the years is another added bonus.

Congratulations, Sarah! of you for shining your light through the written word and in all that you do.

04/07/2023

I think it’s cool to see spaces temporarily transform on campus for special events. In February, for example, Shouvlin 105 turned into a small ice skating rink, one of the many activities that are now part of new tradition for students called Snow Day. In a few weeks, Commencement Hollow will be a sea of caps and gowns against rows of white chairs, while fun Homecoming decor will find its way into multiple rooms, outdoor spots, and various venues across campus this fall. Last weekend, though, it was Weaver Chapel’s time to shine.

Amazing artistry, cool lighting, and awesome creativity coalesced in the chapel, April 1, as Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion performed a free concert thanks to the Witt Series. For 15+ years, the “ensemble has forged a unique path in the musical landscape with virtuosic, energetic performances that celebrate the extraordinary depth and breadth of musical possibilities in the world of percussion,” notes the group’s website. The evening proved engaging on every level, giving guests an experience to remember.

The event also made for some fantastic photos. Weaver Chapel is beautiful, but it can be a difficult place to photograph at times because of the lighting. Our photographer, John Coffman, said he had to use three different lenses during the evening, but the extra effort was well worth it as these photos show. I hope you like the transformation, too. Enjoy!

01/14/2023

There is just something cool about the start of the spring semester. I think it’s because it’s always timed with the beginning of a new year, and it always aligns with the heart of winter in Ohio. Both give the semester a unique feel as new goals are set, new classes start, warmer coats and shoes make their debut, and new insight and understanding commence. Students also seem more confident, having successfully navigated the fall, and appear more at ease despite the grey days that can define this time of year. Friendships made in fall grow even more, and the anticipation of spring begins to fill the air.

With all this on my mind, I thought should be a tribute to the first week of classes and another chance to make even more Witt memories in the months to come. Enjoy.
📷: John Coffman

12/10/2022

In honor of tonight's annual Lessons & Carols for Advent and Christmas, this week's focuses on our beautiful Weaver Chapel.

Several years ago, a dear friend and former colleague shared what it was like seeing the chapel's steeple rise above the trees for the first time. He had been traveling from Columbus with his parents to visit Wittenberg as a high school student. As the family drove into town on State Route 40, Weaver Chapel’s steeple appeared in the distance, and right then and there, his parents knew instinctively that Wittenberg University was the right place for their son - and it was.

To them, the chapel standing tall in the heart of campus meant that life at Wittenberg revolved around it and that it played a central role in the student experience. Whether offering a place of comfort in times of crisis, a respite from the rush of each day, or a welcoming space to worship, gather, or celebrate in community, Weaver Chapel continues to serve as a beacon, drawing people to its doors as it did once again this evening. (And it makes for some pretty great photos, too.)

Photo credits: 1: Jon Duraj, 2: Archives; 3-4: John Coffman; 5: Andy/Rachel Tune; 6: Jeromy Laux; 7: John Coffman; 8: Archives; 9: Jon Duraj

12/02/2022

Little moments often make the best memories. Hot chocolate on a chilly night. Smiles among friends and a sing-along. Students sharing their musical gifts. Even a bright red chair. All were present during yesterday's second-annual Tree Lighting to kick-off the holiday season on campus. The event had something for everyone, including fun crafts, special performances by Just Eve and Wittmen Crew, food, and the reveal of a large Adirondack chair on Alumni Way. S/O to the Facilities Management team for its work in building what will likely become a sought-after photo spot, and to all who made the event one to remember. Lastly, would not be complete without a few more fall shots slipped in right before winter begins. 📷: 1: Jon Duraj; 2-9: John Coffman

11/18/2022

Those who know me know I love photography. I love seeing a moment captured in both simple and complex ways. I like how light plays in our experience with an image, and I love the stories photographs tell. I especially love how photos routinely capture our students pursuing their passions, engaging in new learning opportunities, competing, or just having fun using their talents and gifts. Additionally, I enjoy seeing those special Witt spots and spaces in the best of light, which, I hope, is what will help to do moving forward. So many images are taken each week or shared occasionally by faculty, students, and staff. Many of these are used in communications, including the magazine, on the website, or in social media. Others may sit quietly, awaiting the right moment to be seen. I hope to bring a few to light each week in this new segment. Happy viewing!

📷 Credits:
(1) Brian Yontz, (2) CABLE program, (3, 5) Jeromy Laux, (4, 6-8) John Coffman, and (9) Darby Hiller-Freund

10/01/2022

A friend snapped this shot as we walked toward the chapel yesterday. I absolutely love how the light shines in subtly from the left, as it reminds me of our motto, “Having light we pass it on to others.” I get to see so much of this special light in small and big ways at Wittenberg University, and especially during Homecoming, when alumni from all classes return to reconnect.

Whether it’s celebrating the new Veler Endowed Chair in English, Dr. Cynthia Richards, and hearing her amazing tribute to the late Dick Veler ‘58, who shared his light with her and countless others, including me; or remembering the life of another late, beloved professor, Dr. Dave Mason, who inspired so many alumni to find their light in medicine and research; or the amazing light of philanthropy that pushed our $100M Having Light Campaign over the top nine months early — $100,125,997 and counting to be exact — the Witt light is as powerful today as it was in 1845.

No wonder they say a picture conveys a thousand words. I agree, so instead of writing more about the Witt light, I’ll just join with the other 26,000 proud Wittenberg University Alumni and keep passing it on. Hope you will, too. Happy !

07/05/2022

We had a fantastic conversation with 1995 alumna Chandra Donnell Carey, Ph.D. in the latest issue. As co-founder of the new Center for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Health and Society at the University of North Texas, Chandra is working to eliminate barriers to mental health access.

“Where it may be clear to others that seeking treatment is a part of the process to recovery, the stigma, stereotypes, and cultural tropes regarding strength, faith, and resilience have prompted a denial of the impact of mental health in black and brown communities, even among those likely experiencing the daily effects of it. Between improper diagnoses, attitudinal barriers, economic barriers, lack of culturally responsive treatment and interventions, and ineffective relationships with service providers, few people of color who could benefit from mental health treatment receive appropriate care. The overall goal of my work is to increase access to mental health services and to increase the cultural responsiveness of practitioners so that appropriate care and interventions are available.”

To see the full issue and read her Q&A on page 20, visit https://bit.ly/3R54x33. Wittenberg University Alumni

06/22/2022

A garden and graciousness connect retired admission and advancement colleague Linda Schreiber Himes ‘66 to generations of alumni.

Linda is “so uniquely woven into the fabric that is Wittenberg,” and has “this innate ability to add a special touch to everything she does,” says Megan McCann ‘93, who still calls Himes her second mom.

Delighted to share Linda’s impact in the current issue making its way into mailboxes now.

06/15/2022

Light being passed? Absolutely. From our first-ever FIRE Week to our long-standing program with the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) to lifelong connectors and alumni leaders in service, inclusion, sustainability, and more, the latest issue of the magazine aims to show our motto in action. Excited to share all the stories with you. New issue is in mail now. 🙌

06/03/2022

These stairs! I can remember thinking that each time I would start my trek up from the first floor in Recitation Hall as a student. After I started working at Witt years later, similar thoughts would go through my mind, especially when I tried to make it to the third floor every day while pregnant with twins. (That was a sight and around the time I decided to pursue the “scenic route” - turning on floor two to take the rest of the stairs on the opposite side so as to catch my breath along the way.)

But then something happened years ago after the sun’s rays fell a certain way on those stairs one day. It was as if the light was shining a spotlight on each well-worn step, a reminder of the footprints left by thousands of students since 1883, the year Reci was built. As I writer, I can only begin to imagine the stories behind those stairs during the last 139 years, or the conversations between professors, students, and staff that have occurred as they passed one another on the way up or down.

The stairs may still seem daunting at times, but in those moments when the little dips and discolorations catch my eye, or when the entire building seems to echo as my shoe hits each step, I am reminded of all those who paved the way so we can be called Wittenberg alumni, and I find myself feeling both grateful and humbled. A new way to “count” steps indeed.

12/22/2021

There’s just something about our motto, “Having Light We Pass It On To Others,” that inspires so many Wittenberg University Alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Maybe it’s the action of passing something on that is bigger than ourselves. Or perhaps it’s the imagery of light itself and what it signifies for each person. Either way, it illuminates our respective paths and is strengthened when we are in community together. This holiday season and throughout the year to come, I hope you keep passing on your light in your own communities and beyond. It matters and makes a difference. Thanks for all you do for Wittenberg University. Season’s Greetings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iSZdHePS9o

11/25/2021

Grateful for all the Wittenberg faculty and staff who made a difference during my years as a student and even today: Robin Inboden, my wonderful Victorian lit and 401 prof who still makes a path to connect with me on campus; Elizabeth Brinkman, who challenged me to take my writing to new levels; Bill Buscemi, Gerry Hudson, and Rob Baker, who inspired me to minor in poli sci; Tim Lewis whose ecology class still crosses my mind today; and three dear people who are no longer with us: Dick Veler and Imogene Bolls, both of whom helped me not only find my passion but develop it, and Dave Maurer, who gave me a confidence I didn't know I lacked when he taught me, through patience and many trials, to hit my first golf ball in a PE class.

The list could go on and on, but I think the point is clear: Witt helped me find my path, and today I'm giving thanks for all these individuals, as well as those who continue to change lives. Happy Thanksgiving!

10/27/2021

09/22/2021

This walk never gets old. Shout-out to Madeleine Grant ‘24 for capturing it so well last week. Talk about finding light! 😊

09/17/2021

Called an “American character actor adept at play[ing] clever villains, domineering dads and corrupt politicos,” James Rebhorn '70 took his Wittenberg education to screens around the globe in a career spanning more than four decades before his passing in 2014.

Starring as the secretary of defense in Independence Day (1996), Rebhorn appeared in more than 100 films and television series, including My Cousin Vinny, Scent of a Woman, The Game, Meet the Parents, The Practice, Third Watch and White Collar. One of only 115 individuals invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences in 2007, Rebhorn, who earned his M.F.A. from Columbia University, was also a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

I'm so thankful James took time to talk with us a year before his passing as his words about Wittenberg still resonate today. His light is certainly missed.

09/13/2021

Did you know that Wittenberg has a Titanic survivor within its alumni ranks? The late Nellie Baumgardner Becker, class of 1896.

Nellie met her husband Allen at Wittenberg, and together they served as Lutheran missionaries in Guntur, India, where they eventually came face-to-face with the Sixth Cholera Pandemic, which took 800,000 lives in India alone.

With these hardships abroad, and the sudden illness of her son, Richard, Nellie thought it best to move her children back to America, so they boarded a ship from India to England, while Allen finished his commitment in India. Nellie and her family then boarded the Titanic on April 10, 1912.

Once the ship hit the iceberg, the situation became very confusing, and Nellie and her family were soon directed to the lifeboats. As she once shared with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “the most horrible thing of all was the shrieks. There was no more room in our boat, and we had to sit and watch [people] perish.”

Nellie recounted the story during a talk at Wittenberg in the years that followed, noting that “she will remember the event throughout her entire life, so indelibly were some of the incidents in her mind.” We also featured her story in the Spring 2019 issue.

09/12/2021

Honored that Nate Walsh’s story about his harrowing escape from the South Tower on 9/11 was reprinted in full by his local paper this weekend. The story, which originally appeared in the Fall 2001 issue, provides a firsthand account by the 2001 Witt alumnus of the heroism and heartbreak witnessed around the world 20 years ago. (Formatting of first paragraph in mobile version may present a challenge, but rest seems fine.) Thanks again to Nate for sharing his story with us two decades ago.

Nate Walsh had only been in New York for two days before Sept. 11, 2001. He was scheduled to be in the city for three weeks to train with Morgan Stanley, t

09/12/2021

It was September 11, 2001, and Nate Walsh '01 was only scheduled to be in New York City for three weeks to train with Morgan Stanley, the largest tenant of the World Trade Center complex with roughly 3,500 employees. On that crystal clear day, he had made his way to the 61st floor of the South Tower, grabbed a cup of coffee, and was waiting for training to begin - until an explosion in the North Tower changed plans. Together, they watched as small fires started to form from the burning debris falling outside their windows.

What was to be a routine day would soon become one filled with unimaginable heartbreak and tremendous heroism.

Nate shared his firsthand account of getting out of the South Tower with us back in the Fall 2001 issue. NYC-based Bill Bridge '87, Charlie Giffin '00, and Heather Connor '99, and D.C.-based Alan Liotta ’82 and Stacy Rastauskas ’98 shared their stories back then, too. I remember their words and reflections, and know that they passed their light wherever they could that day. They also saw the best of humanity and heroes-in-the-making. As Nate recounted in the magazine:

"At the top of the stairs was the most glaring example of heroism I have ever seen. The entire way the only uniforms I had seen were for the police and fire departments, but at the top of the stairs there was a different one.

"The man wearing it was calm and pointing and shouting orders: ‘Everyone take your time; you’re almost there; stay calm.’ The uniform didn’t have a badge, but it had a shoulder patch that said MTA on it. MTA, Manhattan Transit Authority.

"This man worked for the subway. His job wasn’t to guide traffic in the middle of a national disaster; his job was to clean stations, or collect money, or maybe even drive a train, yet here he was doing something that most certainly cost him his life. He was volunteering before the call for volunteers went out. He took up a post, and he probably still occupies that post beneath those buildings."

09/10/2021

: When a beautiful blue sky stretches over Wittenberg University, it’s time to capture the magic. Here are a few shots from the last week of campus and students that make our Witt shine. 📷: John Coffman

09/09/2021

Fourteen years ago, a colleague put me in touch with David Matevia ’60 and wife Carol. David was a pastor, and Carol was a nurse when they met in 1987. A year later, the couple married, and soon thereafter sold everything they had before heading to Indiana to “see what God had in store for them.”

Turns out God had lots of plans, including leading David to serve Lutheran churches in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. He later was asked to be an Assistant to the Bishop of the Ohio Synod of the ELCA, and even in retirement, he continued to provide pastoral leadership.

Two of the kindest souls ever, I learned that they wanted to give back even more. As David shared in the 2007 issue of the magazine, “In God’s economy, the more we gave away in His name, the more He made available to us to shepherd. Today we find ourselves as stewards of more than we ever dreamed possible, and we have sought His guidance in how we are to use it.”

In May 2007, the couple committed $1 million to Wittenberg to endow the University pastor position.

“Through the ministry of Wittenberg University and its pastor(s), the values of community service in the name of God, as we believe in the Lutheran church, will be taught for generations still unborn,” David said.

Sadly, David passed away on August 5, 2021, at age 82, but the couple’s legacy lives on at Wittenberg through their generosity and in their passing of light throughout their lives. Well done, good and faithful servant, well done. Rest In Peace. A Celebration of Life service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church, 111 Lutheran Drive, Eaton, Ohio, 45320 with The Rev. Dwight Hanson officiating.

07/19/2021

Tammy Franks ‘90 has forged a career focused on one singular objective: to keep kids safe. A leading child passenger safety expert working for the National Safety Council and serving as secretariat and past chairperson of the National Child Passenger Safety Board, Tammy shares the journey that led to her passion in the latest issue. Thank you, Tammy. Keep passing your light!