The donors listed below are leaders in giving back to Wittenberg. Thanks to their generosity, our students find their paths at Wittenberg and pass their light on to others as they go out into the world to lead personal, professional, and civic lives of creativity, service, compassion, and integrity.
We invite you to join them in supporting Wittenberg. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. You can help by making a gift to The Wittenberg Fund, which supports the area of greatest need on campus and directly impacts each of our students on a daily basis. To make a gift, visit our website.
Eddie '75 and Wendy Williams Ford '76
July 11, 2026
Eddie '75 and Wendy Williams Ford '76 are grateful for the liberal arts education they received as students at Wittenberg University. To express their gratitude, they volunteer and support the University annually with gifts.
"Wittenberg invested in us. We give to Wittenberg because it gave to us," said Wendy who serves on the Wittenberg University Board of Directors. "Alumni and others made it possible for us to receive an outstanding education. Through our gifts, we hope to help others."
- Read more about the Ford's story
As students at Wittenberg, Eddie met Wendy at a party where Eddie asked her to dance. They have been dancing, laughing, and chatting with each other ever since. During their time at Wittenberg, Eddie was a four-year starter for the Wittenberg men's basketball team and a member of Concerned Black Students (CBS). Wendy served on the Union Board and was also a member of CBS. They later married and made Springfield their home. Both are retired teachers and administrators from the Springfield City School District. They have two adult children, Lindsay and Tyler, and five grandchildren.
"Wittenberg is a special place for us. It gave us a foundation for our careers in education," Eddie said. "We formed lasting relationships, and Wittenberg gave us opportunities to have different experiences. Wittenberg provided a safe place to grow."
Celebrating her 50th Class Reunion this year, Wendy is a member of the 1976 50th Reunion Committee, which is challenging classmates to give to Restore the Red, the campaign to paint the exterior of Myers Hall. When the class collectively reaches $25,000 in gifts, it will unlock $25,000 in donations from the reunion committee.
Wendy and Eddie encourage all Wittenberg alumni and friends to give to the Restore the Red campaign. "We are so fortunate to have our majestic Myers Hall on the hill. It is the most prominent building on campus, and many people admire it," Wendy said. "This historic building is in need. By giving to the Restore the Red campaign, you will allow others to have the same experience."
Dr. Stephen F. Hofer '62
June 13, 2026
Dr. Stephen F. Hofer '62 credits Wittenberg University with providing him the foundation for a 47-year teaching career at the junior high, high school, and university levels.
A retired communications professor who specialized in speech and broadcasting, he also is a television historian known for his work as curator of the Philo T. Farnsworth Television History Center in Auburn, Indiana. In 2006, he was named the managing editor of TV Guide the Official Collectors Guide: Celebrating an Icon. The publication featured every cover issue of the small size TV Guide.
- Read more about Dr. Hofer's story
At Wittenberg, he took classes in speech and drama, history, and government and geography, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He earned his master’s degree in speech from Indiana State University in 1967. He also earned his Ph.D. degree in Radio/Television/Film from Bowling Green State University in 1977.
Wittenberg remains dear to his heart. “From the classes I took to the professors who inspired me, Wittenberg provided me with a liberal arts education that prepared me for a 47-year career in teaching,” Dr. Hofer said. “I’m thankful for my Wittenberg experience, which led to my love of teaching.”
We’re grateful to Dr. Hofer for his support of Wittenberg throughout the years. He recently made a gift in memory of his wife, Mary Stevens Hofer. In addition, Dr. Hofer also made a $1,000 challenge gift to Restore the Red: The Campaign to Paint Myers Hall.
Dave ’79 and Laurie Heckler Griffin ’79
May 17, 2026
Wittenberg University is grateful for alumni who serve by leading. They help other alumni stay connected and get involved. They also give back by supporting Wittenberg financially with a gift year after year.
One such #WittWed couple is Laurie Heckler Griffin ’79 and Dave Griffin '79 of Centerville, Ohio. Laurie served on the Wittenberg University Alumni Association Board for nine years (2007-2016). When her term ended, she worked alongside several other Dayton area alumni to create the Greater Dayton Alumni Chapter. She has been instrumental in helping to lead the Dayton chapter for the past 10 years.
- Read more about the Griffin's story
“I enjoy being connected with Wittenberg,” said Laurie, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who worked at Coopers & Lybrand and Physics International in addition to volunteering at local schools and community youth programs. “Our Dayton Alumni Chapter committee plans events to help provide other alumni with opportunities to maintain their connection to Wittenberg.”
Laurie and Dave also are instrumental in planning reunions for the Class of 1979. “We feel our Wittenberg education prepared us well for our careers and for life after graduation,” said Dave who recently retired from Marsh McLennan Agency as senior vice president after 43 years in the insurance industry. “We want to help support the University in providing that same opportunity for current and future Wittenberg students.”
Joshua Butler '20
April 11, 2026
During Commit to Witt 2026, more than 50 alumni and friends stepped up to support Wittenberg with a challenge to encourage their peers to give. Joshua Butler '20 was the youngest alumnus to issue a challenge during the University’s annual day of giving on March 19. Inspired by Witt Wed couple Steve '85 and Beth Brownlee Rizzi '85, Joshua issued a challenge and matched gifts made in support of the Department of Political Science, up to $1,000.
“I wanted to give back because of the immense value I place on my liberal arts education. I also deeply appreciate the University's leadership and the ongoing efforts being made to ensure Wittenberg's long-term survival in these challenging times,” Joshua said. “Steve and Beth Rizzi have issued a challenge over the past few years. I hoped a matching challenge from me would encourage other alumni to step up and support the political science department.”
- Read more about Joshua's story
At Wittenberg, Joshua majored in political science and minored in computer science. His classes challenged him to develop strong critical thinking and communication skills, and he is grateful for several of his professors, including Dr. Ed Hasecke '97, Dr. Bin Yu, Dr. James Allan, and Dr. Adam Parker.
He first met Steve Rizzi during a mathematics/computer science colloquium at Wittenberg during his senior year. “I had dinner with him after his presentation,” said Joshua, who also participated in the Witt in Washington (Lutheran College Washington Semester) program. “A few months later, I started working for him at PAR Government Systems.”
Today, he works as a senior lead software engineer for Booz Allen Hamilton, which acquired PAR Government Systems. He leads the development of a product line for military/defense, law enforcement, and first responders.
“My time at Wittenberg was essential in preparing me for my career. The critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills I gained from my political science degree have been my absolute greatest assets in advancing into technology leadership,” Joshua said. “In our changing world with the rise and development of Large Language Models (LLMs) and general AI tooling, the liberal arts and soft skills are almost more valuable than the technical skills in many ways.”
Steve Wake ’74
March 12, 2026
Steve Wake ’74 is grateful for the scholarship support he received when he was a student at Wittenberg University. Without those scholarships, he would not have been able to afford to attend Wittenberg. Even after 50 years, he finds himself reminiscing about his college days at Wittenberg.
“I am 75, and I have had a wonderful life,” said Steve, who is president of GLT Companies. “The foundation for that began at Wittenberg.”
- Read more about Steve's story
Professor of Economics Robert Schultz took him under his wing. He encouraged Steve to work hard to understand a difficult subject and to develop the critical thinking skills that have helped him throughout his career. The well-rounded education that Steve received at Wittenberg in business and economics helped him to manage and grow the businesses that he founded and built.
Because of his experience, Steve is supporting Commit to Witt with the 50 States challenge. He will donate $50,000 when Wittenberg receives gifts from alumni and friends in all 50 U.S. states.
“In today’s economic environment, it has become increasingly hard for small liberal arts universities to survive,” Steve said. “Wittenberg provides a unique opportunity to get a life-enhancing education on a beautiful campus. I want to entice other alumni to open their pocketbooks and help those who follow in our footsteps.”
Bob “Pinky” Fisher ’74
February 14, 2026
For Bob “Pinky” Fisher ’74, a Springfield native who grew up watching the Tigers in awe, attending Wittenberg to play football was literally “living the dream.” As a student, he enjoyed his economic classes and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. This led to a career in public accounting as a CPA.
As a retired financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, he understands the importance of planning for the future, as well as creating a legacy. Bob and his wife, Liz, joined the David Hawley Associates Legacy Society by documenting a planned gift to Wittenberg in 2020. In addition, they established a charitable gift annuity in support of Wittenberg in 2025 by using a one-time Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from their IRA.
- Read more about Bob's story
“We are grateful for the positive impact of Wittenberg on our family. The mix of athletics, academics, and friendships is priceless,” Bob said. “Our hope is that supporting Wittenberg financially will replicate the experience for future students and leave a positive impact on society.”
Their son, Drew, graduated in 2012 from Wittenberg and is a practicing Doctor of Optometry. During Drew's four years on campus, Bob and Liz made new Tiger friendships and rekindled old ones.
“Putting Wittenberg in your will is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to support the University. We understand our family circumstances may change, and the level of commitment may be updated as appropriate,” he said. “In business terminology, failure to plan is planning to fail — so get your wills and estate plan done.”
Drs. Charles and Claudia Cornett
January 17, 2026
Drs. Charles and Claudia Cornett have been lifelong learners who continue to dedicate their lives to advancing the transformative power of education. After decades of working with students, other educators, and various schools and educational institutions, they started supporting scholarships that target their values.
For 24 years, Claudia served on Wittenberg’s faculty. In 1987, she received the Distinguished Teaching Award and eventually retired as a professor emerita. Claudia has published widely and continues to be a consultant and speaker. Charles was a biology and chemistry teacher and high school principal prior to moving into administration where he served as a superintendent in Clark County.
- Read more about the Cornett's story
Together, Charles and Claudia have been steadfast champions of the vital role creative process plays in teaching and learning across all disciplines. Guided by the belief that education empowers students to positively impact their professions and communities they serve, Charles and Claudia established The Creative Teaching Scholarship at Wittenberg — and at other institutions. The scholarship provides recognition and financial aid to students with special emphasis on putting creative process research into practice.
To ensure their impact endures, Claudia and Charles have also joined the University’s Hawley Society by including Wittenberg in their estate plans, thus providing meaningful and lasting support for the University and its students. We are deeply grateful to Charles and Claudia Cornett for their vision, leadership, and thoughtful generosity.
Robert “Bob” ’63 and Lynn Noble Ness ’64
December 13, 2025
Wittenberg has long benefited from alumni who step forward to support the University’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities. Among those dedicated Tigers are Robert “Bob” ’63 and Lynn Noble Ness ’64, who have been woven into the fabric of the Wittenberg community for more than six decades. As alumni, leaders, volunteers, and parents, Bob and Lynn have consistently demonstrated their deep affection for – and belief in – their alma mater. Most recently, they reaffirmed that commitment by providing essential funding to launch a critical strategic planning initiative. This inclusive planning process is now underway and is expected to conclude in May 2026, shaping the roadmap that will guide Wittenberg’s future. We extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Ness family for their thoughtful leadership and generous philanthropy.