Springfield, Ohio – Although they did not graduate from Wittenberg University, Bill and Deanna Brougher of Springfield have been a vital part of the university’s history and success, exemplifying what it means to be Wittenberg’s alumni.
Now the couple can officially call themselves alumni as Honorary Alumni Status was bestowed upon them during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2016 at the Wittenberg Alumni Association’s Awards Breakfast that took place from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning.
The couple, married for 33 years, has been a fixture at numerous Wittenberg events for many years. They have three children in Nicholas, Jessica and Samuel, and the family attends multiple sporting events, concerts and lectures. Deanna Brougher served as the business manager of the Chi Omega house from 2004-10. Bill, retired from the manufacturing business after 30 years with Eagle Tool & Machine Co. in Springfield, has been active with the Springfield Rotary Club and the Springfield Foundation board. He enjoys volunteering at fundraising events at Wittenberg, too.
“What an honor! Bill and I are very excited and humbled by this award,” said Deanna Brougher, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. “Wittenberg has been a permanent fixture in our social life as we have grown up attending football and basketball games and many other events at Witt. Our children attended swim, soccer and academic camps as youth. All three of our children took post-secondary classes at Wittenberg during their high school years and had incredible professors and experiences. We have become good friends with several professors and administrative staff, and have valued their contributions to the Springfield community and culture.”
Deanna, who shared that she enjoyed her days at Wittenberg, has never stopped supporting the institution.
“I met incredible Witt students who are now wonderful alumnae and worked with a fantastic House Corp Board of dedicated Chi Omegas in the Springfield community,” she said. “I met and worked with many administrative personnel to ensure that Wittenberg students found the Chi Omega house safe, clean and secure. My experience at Wittenberg allowed me to more fully develop my managerial skills and strengthen my personal relationships with many committed Springfield community members.”
Bill earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and master’s degree from The Ohio State University, but Wittenberg has been a part of his life since he was a child.
“I was raised within blocks of the campus, and my grandparents actually lived on campus,” he said. “Both graduated from Wittenberg, as did my grandfather’s sister, my parents and one of my sisters. My father was an advisor to the ATOs, and later served on the Wittenberg board. My friends and I also watched many lacrosse, baseball, field hockey and volleyball games. We would ride our bikes to campus and watch any sport team that might have a game that day.”
Bill relayed that Wittenberg families permeated his youth. Wittenberg impacted him primarily through its people, the professors and administrators and their families.
“The intelligence, energy, and enthusiasm these families brought to our community (and still do) were immense," he said. "I primarily benefitted from Wittenberg through my friendships with the children of Witt professors and administrators. These led to close relationships with many great families. Dr. Erno Dahl suggested I look at Emory, which became my college of choice.”
