Published January 17, 2026
Rooted in the Liberal Arts
As Wittenberg begins the spring semester, President Christian M. M. Brady offers a powerful perspective on the importance of the liberal arts in an opinion piece, which was recently published in the Springfield News-Sun and Dayton Daily News. Read full article.
Ushering in a new era of visionary leadership, Dr. Christian M. M. Brady looks to connect with alumni and friends during a Presidential Alumni Tour, which will include stops across the nation from January to June. Dr. Brady will share updates from Wittenberg and engage in open conversation about the University’s future. If you’re interested in making calls to fellow alumni to encourage attendance for an event in your area, please email alumni@wittenberg.edu.
- Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Jan. 31
- Seattle – Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Los Angeles – Saturday, Feb. 21
- West Palm Beach/Miami – Tuesday, March 10
- Tampa Bay/Sarasota – Sunday, March 15
- New York City – Wednesday, March 25
- Atlanta – Saturday, March 28
- Dayton – Wednesday, April 8
- Columbus – Wednesday, April 15
- Cincinnati – Saturday, April 18
- Cleveland – Thursday, April 30
- Chicago – Saturday, May 2
- Indianapolis – Thursday, May 21
- Denver/Boulder – Saturday, June 13
- Springfield/Dayton – Saturday, June 20
Future Teacher-Leaders
Mikalyn Piccola, class of 2027 from Cincinnati, Ohio, Riley Boyles, class of 2027 from Ostrander, Ohio, and Olivia Follick, class of 2026 from Vandalia, Ohio, are the latest ASCENT-STEM (Addressing Springfield Community’s STEM Education Needs Together) scholarship recipients. The program aims to incentivize undergraduate students to pursue STEM education in high-needs schools and develop support structures that ensure the long-term success of new teachers.
Moot Court Team Launched
After reviving a Mock Trial team in 2023, Wittenberg is pleased to announce the program’s expansion to include a competitive moot court team. Members of this new team represent the University by competing against other schools in a simulated Supreme Court argument.
Engage with FIRE Week
Are you interested in being involved with FIRE Week? Now in its fifth year, the slate of programs offers students the chance to engage in-depth with faculty, staff, and other students on a wide range of topics outside the traditional classroom in experiential learning or civic engagement experiences. Alumni have the opportunity to engage with potential FIRE Week programs for March 2-6, 2026, and beyond. The program's leadership team will attempt to connect alumni, faculty, and staff who have intersecting interests in the hopes of enriching our offerings to students. FIRE Week Alumni Engagement Interest Form
Powering Progress
Michael DeWees, senior director of finance and business services and interim chief financial officer at the Central Ohio Transit Authority, has been named Wittenberg’s new vice president for finance and administration. DeWees is expected to begin his new responsibilities on January 29, 2026.
Commit To Witt
Wittenberg University’s annual day of giving will be March 19, 2026. You can make a long-lasting impact by joining alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff, and students in 24 hours of giving. We invite you to become an advocate for Commit to Witt to help us spread the word. By championing Commit to Witt through social media and email, you can encourage your classmates and Wittenberg friends to make a gift on March 19. Register today to become an advocate for Commit to Witt!
Serving Their Alma Mater
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.
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.
Create A Legacy
In 1871, David Hawley made the first planned gift to Wittenberg University, establishing a charitable annuity with the University. The David Hawley Associates Legacy Society recognizes the many alumni and friends who have provided for Wittenberg as part of their estate plans. Their generosity helps further our mission and supports our students. We invite you to create your legacy through planned giving and join The David Hawley Associates Legacy Society.
Refer A Tiger Today
Those who know Wittenberg the best, make the best ambassadors for the University. If you know a student – a child, relative, sibling, family friend, co-worker’s child, youth member of your church, academic all-star, theatre standout, athlete, etc. – who might be a good fit for Wittenberg, refer them here.
Outstanding Faculty and Alumni
The Alumni Association recognizes excellence among faculty and alumni with the annual Distinguished Teaching Award and Alumni Achievement Awards. You are invited to nominate outstanding faculty and alumni to be considered for these awards. The nomination deadline is Jan. 31, 2026; more details can be found here.
Printable Valentines
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with specially designed graphics and printables created by Claudia Rieth '20 and courtesy of the Alumni Association. Click here to download images for printing or sharing on social media.