That’s why we created Why Witt?, a new initiative that seeks to help Wittenberg students navigate their “next” by listening to and engaging in others’ stories as told by those who have been right where they are.
”Listening to other people’s stories about how they navigated to their successful place is often helpful so when an opportunity shows itself, we confidently can take that next step,” said Why Witt? co-creator Timmy McCarthy '02 and the University's first-ever Professional-in-Residence.
Wittenberg Board of Directors member Charlie Giffin '00, managing director and head of the public finance group at J.P. Morgan in New York, will join the Why Witt? conversation May 2 to discuss "Witt on Wall Street" on the live podcast stage starting at 7 p.m. in Founders Pub, on the lower level of Benham-Pence Student Center.
The brainchild of entrepreneurs Timmy McCarthy and friend/former classmate John “HUD” Hudson, business owner, Why Witt? is produced on campus with student leadership. Each event takes place once a month on Wednesdays inside Founders Pub on the lower level of the Benham-Pence Student Center. The program is set to air at 7 p.m. in front of a live studio audience each time. Drawing from the Career Clusters approach and leveraging areas of student interest, the following topics are also set to be explored as 2024 gets underway. More information will be forthcoming.
What Can Viewers Expect?
During the one-hour segments with time for audience engagement, McCarthy and Hudson will ask the following primary questions of all guests: What led them to Wittenberg, what happened while they were here, and how did they navigate the path after leaving Wittenberg? The program will also greet students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and prospective students when the moment is right for them by being available live and in person, as well as live-streamed and later made available via podcast and YouTube.
Behind the CurtainsLearn what’s “Behind the Curtains” during the next Why Witt? Podcast, March 27, when Chris Conti '98, and Tom Wirtshafter '76 share their stage and screen career experiences. The event begins in-person at 7 p.m. in Founders Pub, on the lower level of Benham-Pence Student Center.
Bio and the BrainNeurology and neuroscience experts Anup Patel ’95, M.D., and Emily Rogalski ’01, Ph.D., headlined the Feb. 28 Why Witt? Podcast, Feb. 28. Together, they discussed the latest innovations in their fields and how Wittenberg prepared them for success.
New Year, New Start-UpEntrepreneurs Chase Beach '15 and Jessica Benson '86 joined the Why Witt? conversation, Jan. 31. With successful businesses launched and sold, the two alumni will share their journeys before a live audience in Founders and online.
Them, Us & The Dream"Them, Us & The Dream" featured alumni Shakeer Abdullah '99, a progressive diversity, equity, and inclusion belonging leader and founder of Practical Diversity Consultants, Brad Jordan '99, general manager and U.S. recruiting manager at Crown Equipment Corporation, and Chris Thompson ’94, executive director and head of talent engagement for Consumer and Community Banking at JPMorgan Chase & Company, on Dec. 13, 2023.
"Chemistry and the Art of Brewing" featured guests John '95 and Molly '99 Loftis, owners of Mother Stewart's Brewing in Springfield, Ohio, and chemist BJ Burke '02, project manager at UES Inc., on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
The Business of Sport"The Business of Sport" welcomed Dr. Ben Burkam '05, sports medicine physician with OhioHealth and team physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Hilliard Davidson High School, and Jim McCoy '98, Fortune 100 sports marketing executive with Nationwide, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.
Halls and Hardwood"Halls and Hardwood" featured Matt Croci '94, Wittenberg men’s basketball head coach, and Melissa Kolbe '99, Wittenberg women’s basketball head coach, on Wednesday, June 30. Watch the Podcast
