Published February 14, 2026
Commencement Speaker Announced
A highly successful entrepreneur with 20-plus years of experience navigating hypergrowth and global expansion of startups, Rakesh Tondon, class of 2001, has accepted the invitation to deliver the keynote address at the University’s 176th Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16, in picturesque Commencement Hollow.
100 Days 'Til Graduation
The announcement of this year's Commencement speaker, made by senior class representatives Alyssa Burnside and Moose Harper, took place on Thursday, Feb. 5, when the Class of 2026 celebrated its 100 Days 'Til Graduation milestone together. The senior class had a wonderful time. Congratulations to the lucky raffle winners: Jane, who took home a Raising Cane's gift basket, and Alexis, who won Wittenberg swag.
Super Bowl Experience
A group of 14 Wittenberg students headed to Santa Clara, California, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium. Students helped with event operations and guest services at a variety of Super Bowl functions, including game-day training, supporting fan services on game day, and working at the Bart Starr Award Breakfast on Sunday.
Cyber Power Rankings
Wittenberg is proud of the work that eight students accomplished during the fall semester, which included competing in the National Cyber League (NCL). Wittenberg placed in the Top 100 nationally of all 510 participating colleges and in the Top 50 in the central region. Individually, all of Wittenberg’s participants placed in the top 25.
Investing in Infrastructure
The Ohio Department of Development (ODD) has announced that Wittenberg will receive $1,103,315 to install new lighting, building controls, and chillers in Tower Hall and the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. The project is expected to yield an annual utility savings of 19.5 percent. This is the fourth grant that Wittenberg has received in recent months with more than half a million additional dollars previously coming from granting agencies to enhance safety on campus. Such deep investments signal the University's importance in Ohio's higher education landscape and fuel Wittenberg's ongoing forward momentum.
New Executive Director in Philanthropy
Wittenberg University is pleased to announce that Chad Minnick ’98 has been named the University’s new Executive Director of Engagement and Annual Giving. Minnick currently serves as president of the Wittenberg Alumni Association Board.
Following his graduation, Minnick began his professional career in higher education, including two years at Wittenberg working in alumni relations and with the Wittenberg Fund. He later transitioned into the technology sector, where he built a successful career focused on customer engagement and communication solutions. Minnick will assume his new responsibilities in March, providing leadership for the University’s engagement and annual giving strategies. He looks forward to returning to Ohio to join the team in the Bayley Alumni House.
“We are excited to welcome Chad to the team," said Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Michael McGreevey. "His diverse professional background, combined with his strong connection to Wittenberg, will help strengthen our engagement efforts and advance the University during this important time.”
New Leaders Announced
Kristen Collier '92, interim director of the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic Engagement since September 2025, has been named as the center’s permanent director.
Lieutenant Lee McCartney, director of campus safety, has been promoted to the University’s Chief of Police, effective Jan. 30, 2026.
Gage Harner, assistant director of facilities management and trades, has been promoted to Director of Facilities Management.
2025-2026 Wittenberg Series Continues
Benjamin H. Irvin, author and historian of the American Revolution, will present the William A. Kinnison Endowed Lecture in History titled “I Still Have an Independent Spirit: Disabled Veterans and Pension Assistance after the Revolutionary War.” Free and open to the public, the lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Bayley Auditorium inside the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.
Mark Your Calendars!
Our annual day of giving, Commit to Witt, is Thursday, March 19. Beginning at 12 a.m., you’re invited to join alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty, and staff in 24 hours of giving to make a long-lasting impact. We encourage you to become an advocate for Commit to Witt. To help you spread the word about Commit to Witt, we have created an Advocate Toolkit with graphics and sample emails, texts, and social media posts. It’s fun and easy, and it has a big impact!
Oral History Project: Dr. Jim Thrasher '71
Dr. Jim Thrasher '71 was the second person in his family to attend Wittenberg University. Both he and his brother, Al, played basketball at Wittenberg. His favorite classes were sociology with Dr. Aaron Bindman and educational psychology with Dr. Hulda Sallee. Both professors inspired him to chase his dreams and serve the neediest children as a teacher and education administrator. He also was a founding member of CBS and a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. We're grateful for alumni like Dr. Thrasher, who have supported Wittenberg throughout the years with a gift. To join him in supporting the University, make a gift today.
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.
“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.”
For more information about planned giving, please reach out to the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.