In an effort to keep faculty and staff members at Wittenberg University informed and engaged, President Michael L. Frandsen distributes a campus e-update called Around the Hollow.
Feedback is welcomed. Questions about this communication can be sent to ucomm@wittenberg.edu.
November 23, 2020
With winter break and Thanksgiving nearing, I want to extend my thanks to each of you for your diligence in following our health and safety guidelines this semester. I recognize that this was challenging few months for everyone, but our ability to remain in-person for the majority of the fall semester was the direct result of our collaborative efforts. I encourage you to continue to wear your face coverings, stay six feet apart, and wash your hands regularly during the upcoming holidays and winter break, not only for your health and safety, but for those closest to you. I would also ask that you be ready to follow the same protocols when classes resume January 19. Read More...
October 14, 2020
More than a week has passed since we celebrated our Virtual Homecoming Weekend, October 2-4, and I continue to hear accolades surrounding the effort. Sharon and I certainly missed seeing our alumni on campus, but we appreciated their understanding with regard to our decision to deliver this year’s event virtually. We also appreciated the willingness of alumni, faculty, and staff to participate throughout the weekend, including joining us for a special live Zoom toast. Read More...
August 19, 2020
While this year’s opening is quite different from previous years, I want to thank everyone who made the 2020-21 move-in experience and first day of classes huge successes. We will need to continue our collaborative efforts for the health and well-being of all, but right now, we are off to a solid start, which I hope continues. Without such collaboration and mutual understanding, our efforts at in-person learning will be compromised, so please continue to #MaskUp, Take Your Temperature, Stay One Tiger Apart, Wash Your Hands regularly, and refrain from gatherings of more than 10. Read More...
April 30, 2020
The COVID-19 situation has forced us to take unprecedented steps, but I remain grateful for the patience, understanding, and flexibility of the people of Wittenberg. This is a difficult time on our campus, in our community, across higher education, and everywhere. As we continue to navigate the uncertainty and adapt to the challenges presented by this ever-evolving global health crisis, it is critical that we take time to highlight the positive and offer thanks. Read More...
February 28, 2020
We all are feeling the weight of the challenges we face. That is undeniable and inescapable. As we take difficult steps forward, I hope we will take a moment to celebrate a few of the positive highlights of this week for our campus community.
The first happened yesterday when we recognized the service milestones of our faculty and staff during a special luncheon. At this time, we also presented our first-ever Torch Bearer Award, the highest honor given to a Wittenberg staff member. Torch Bearer Award recipients personify our motto, mission, and values, and are passionate about the University, our students, and their personal role in making Wittenberg a better place. I am pleased to announce that the inaugural Torch Bearer Award winner is Jules Tignor, coordinator of enrollment operations. Congratulations to Jules and the other nominees, and thanks to the Staff Advisory Council for its role in creating the award. Read More...
January 12, 2020
Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and renewing break full of celebrations of the holiday season with family and friends. I am excited to have our students return and bring with them the energy and enthusiasm that always accompany a new semester. This semester and all of 2020 will be a momentous time at Wittenberg as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of our founding back on March 11, 1845. A number of activities and programs are being planned throughout the year. There will be many chances to participate as we honor our past and look ahead with confidence to inspiring more students to find their light at Wittenberg. More information on all the activities will be forthcoming. Read More...
December 20, 2019
Sharon and I want to wish each of you a wonderful holiday filled with hope and faith in the future. The upcoming year will mark the 175th anniversary of our founding on March 11, 1845, and while we will still have challenges to face, this milestone offers us an excellent opportunity to celebrate our distinctive qualities, our history, and our shared future as we continue to position Wittenberg for long-term success. Read More...
November 25, 2019
With Thanksgiving this Thursday, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the role you play in supporting student success and our University overall. Helping students discover their passion is a goal we all share, and making that happen requires everyone's gifts and talents. Read More...
October 9, 2019
In a few weeks, we will welcome hundreds of alumni back to campus for our annual Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, October 24-27. I know many of you have been involved with the planning for this special time, and I thank you for stepping up to make this time a memorable one for our alumni and friends. Highlights of this year's weekend include commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the CBS Walkout, celebrating the Grand Opening of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex, and recognizing several distinguished alumni during our annual recognition ceremony. This is in addition to the many reunions, athletics contests, and gatherings being planned. I would encourage each of you to participate in any and all activities as you are able to do so. Read More...
August 22, 2019
The 2019-20 academic year has begun, bringing with it an exciting energy that will always make this time of the year a favorite time for Sharon and me. I want to thank everyone who played a part in making last week's Move-In Day and Welcome Week a huge success. I know much of the work leading up to this time of the year is often behind the scenes, but I hope the positive sentiments shared by our incoming students and their families remind each of you that those efforts matter -- and make a difference. Read More...
July 11, 2019
This week we are excited to be welcoming hundreds of incoming students and their families to the first of our four summer orientation sessions. (I hope you’ve watched the videos; thanks, Mike.) As you know from our student success team, these sessions provide an opportunity for our newest students and their families to engage with our campus community, receive their class schedules, tour their assigned residence halls, learn about our academic environment, make social connections with peers, and better understand our resources and culture of care – “All in for You.” Read More...
June 11, 2019
Now that we are past June 1, I write to share an update on our enrollment projections for next fall. Our yield on accepted students is up by 75% from last year, and our academic quality has improved somewhat, but the incoming class size, currently, is much smaller than anticipated at 378. Read More...
May 10, 2019
With Commencement upon us tomorrow, I want to say thank you to everyone who is working diligently to make this event a memorable and meaningful one for our graduates. Commencement is the culmination of all that we do as a community, all that we do to help our students learn, grow and change, and I look forward to celebrating with our graduates and their families on Saturday. Read More...
April 11, 2019
From academic excellence being on full display during our annual Celebration of Learning and Honors Convocation on Friday, to welcoming alumni back for the 20th reunion concert of the WittMen Crew, to men's volleyball sharing the AMCC regular season title, to baseball alumni coming together to remember a teammate lost way too soon, to Just Eve's concert, to the mainstage production of The Tempest, and multiple other activities, last week highlighted student success and the power of community at Wittenberg. My thanks to everyone who played a role in ensuring that these events reflected the best of Wittenberg. Read More...
March 13, 2019
On April 5, we will again gather as a community to honor student achievement and academic excellence during our annual Liberal Arts in Action: A Celebration of Learning. Now in its seventh year, this event has quickly become a favorite tradition for me and Sharon as it reminds our campus and shows our extended community the exceptional education we provide. I want to thank this year's program coordinators, Cherie Rebar and Molly Wood. This is not an easy task to pull such a comprehensive program together, and they should be commended for their time and dedication. Read More...
February 11, 2019
This past week was a busy one as we welcomed our Board of Directors to campus for its winter meeting, Feb. 7-8. I will be hosting a post-Board forum this Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Bayley Auditorium to review key actions and discussions from the two-day meeting and to share some general campus updates. I encourage you to attend. Read More...
January 9, 2019
Happy New Year. I hope the holiday break was restful, rejuvenating, and filled with times with family and friends that will be fond memories for years to come. Each semester's start of classes is always invigorating to me as the campus comes alive again, but this semester will spark even more energy as Wittenberg moves forward on several fronts. Read More...
December 5, 2018
Last week, Sharon and I were happily surprised by some special guests at our door. Members of our wonderful a capella group, Just Eve, were out and about sharing the holiday spirit through song. The group's advisor and our political science professor, Ed Hasecke, had joined them. After Just Eve finished its caroling, the group headed to the Hasecke's home for a post-caroling get-together, where they sang around the family's dining room table. Read More...
November 7, 2018
As another calendar year begins to wind down, I think it is critical to look back and find moments to celebrate. I don't know how many of you are aware, but we begin every senior staff meeting with the sharing of celebratory news from across our respective areas, among our University colleagues, and even at times on personal levels. Read More...
October 12, 2018
What a weekend! As I shared in my campus update on Wednesday, we are continuing to receive positive comments regarding our Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, October 4-7. Read More...
September 5, 2018
With the fall semester now in full speed, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who helped to make our 2018 New Student Days a stellar experience. I heard from multiple families about how smooth move-in day was and how pleased they are that their student chose Wittenberg. Read More...