Why Witt Talk Show

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Finding a path isn’t always easy

That’s why we created the Why Witt Talk Show, an initiative that seeks to help Wittenberg students navigate their “next” by listening to and engaging in stories as told by alumni 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.

Latest Show

    Committed to aligning education with job market demands and student interests, Aric Thomas ’99, principal of Worthington Kilbourne High School in Worthington, Ohio, has ensured that the school’s courses are competitive, engaging, and rich in real-world experiences such as internships and capstone projects. Why Witt took a deep dive into Thomas’ professional journey in keeping with the first show’s focus on education on Thursday, Aug. 29, in Founders on the lower level of the Benham-Pence Student Center.

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    Aric Thomas '99

    Timmy McCarthy and John Hudson

    The Back Story

    The brainchild of entrepreneurs Timmy McCarthy and friend/former classmate John “HUD” Hudson, business owner, the Why Witt Talk Show is produced on campus with student leadership. Each event takes place once a month on Thursdays 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 being explored. More information will be forthcoming.

    Founders Pub

    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 in person, as well as made available after each show via podcast and YouTube.

    Tentative Topic Schedule:

    • September 2024: Marine Biology: Life with Dolphins and Sharks
    • October 2024: When the Thing You Love Becomes Your Job
    • November 2024: Law - To Degree or Not Degree
    • December 2024: Family Business: How to Keep Talking
    • January 2025: Poli Sci: Navigating Politics in a Fragmented Society
    • February 2025: Making it the Music Industry: Grammy's, Blueprint, & Weightless Records

    Show Archive

    Aric ThomasEducational Leadership

    Educational leader and principal of Worthington Kilbourne High School in Worthington, Ohio, Aric Thomas '99 kicked off the 2024-25 season of the Why Witt Talk Show on Thursday, Aug. 29, with a conversation about his professional journey.

    Charlie GiffinWitt on Wall Street

    Wittenberg Board of Directors member Charlie Giffin '00 oversees debt issuance and lending for state and local municipalities and non-profits, including healthcare and higher education, as the managing director and head of the public finance group at J.P. Morgan in New York. He participated in a discussion titled "Witt on Wall Street" on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    Alumni Chris Conti Tom WifthafterBehind the Curtains

    Learn what’s “Behind the Curtains” with Chris Conti '98, chief innovation officer for the Production Resource Group (PRG), and Tom Wirtshafter '76, who served as president of The Town Hall, New York’s legendary concert hall from 2013 to 2023, and was founder and the executive director of Barrow Street Theatricals, an off-Broadway producer, from 2003 to 2018. They shared their stage and screen career experiences with the Why Witt audience on Wednesday, March 31, 2024.

    Alumni Anup Patel Emily RogalksiBio and the Brain

    Neurology and neuroscience experts Anup Patel ’95, M.D., and Emily Rogalski ’01, Ph.D., headlined Why Witt. Together, they discussed the latest innovations in their fields and how Wittenberg prepared them for success on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

    Alumni Chase Beach Jessica BensonNew Year, New Start-Up

    Entrepreneurs Chase Beach '15 and Jessica Benson '86 joined the Why Witt conversation to offer their perspectives about launching successful businesses. The two alumni shared their journeys before a live audience in Founders and online on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

    Alumni Shakeer Abdullah Chris Thompson Brad JordanThem, 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 Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

    Chemistry and the Art of Brewing

    "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.

    Alumni Ben Burkam and Jim McCoyThe 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.

    Matt Croci and Melissa KolbeHalls 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

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