Tigers came together once again to lead Wittenberg to a second-straight record-breaking Commit to Witt Day of Giving, Thursday, March 19. Alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends, and families demonstrated their firm belief in Wittenberg’s mission and life-changing liberal arts education through their 1,537 gifts totaling $1,137,661, surpassing last year’s total of $1,104,818. Participants were able to double their impact by taking advantage of special challenges and matches, unlocking more than $400,000 for the University they love. Gifts and the total are expected to grow slightly over the coming days as all the mail is processed.
"Thank you for making #Commit2Witt a huge success! We're grateful to everyone who stepped forward to support our students and our University,” said Michael McGreevey, vice president for philanthropy & alumni engagement. “You made an impact on the student experience by giving to the departments, programs, student organizations, athletic teams, and to everything that makes a Wittenberg education special. On behalf the entire Wittenberg community, thank you for passing your light.”
As part of the day-long fundraising effort, participants competed for advocates’ bragging rights and raced each other to the top of several leaderboards. Back by popular demand, a special basketball free-throw competition in the 1929 Gymnasium produced $26,000 from 45 donors, and the Where’s Ezry the Tiger challenge unlocked $10,000 in support of student success. Alumni also attended a pre-Commit to Witt kick-off in Columbus, March 18.
“As President Brady has shared, ‘On the Wittenberg Way, our students discern their calling, develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers, and prepare for purposeful and fulfilling lives,’ McGreevey added. “Support for Commit to Witt helps ensure that the University continues to provide a purpose-driven, meaningful college experience for our current and future students.”
Leveraging an engaging, fun, new online giving platform, Commit to Witt offered several options to match the various philanthropic interests of those participating. Areas of support included The Wittenberg Fund; Scholarship Support; Strategic Presidential Initiatives; Department and Program Support; Student Organizations and Service; Campus Stewardship and Facilities; Wittenberg Athletics; and Career Exploration and Experiential Learning.
Among the many challenges issued were the following:
Members of the Wittenberg University Board of Directors led this year’s Commit to Witt with a $100,000 leadership challenge in support of The Wittenberg Fund. For each of the first 200 donors who made a gift to The Wittenberg Fund, $500 was unlocked.
An anonymous donor helped to power the momentum of Commit to Witt with a $100,000 challenge gift. When $500,000 was raised during Commit to Witt, this additional $100,000 gift was unlocked to take the fundraising effort even further.
Thomas ’75 and Elizabeth Maddocks Beattie ’76 committed $50,000 in support of Commit to Witt. When the campaign reached 250 donors, their challenge gift was unlocked to help advance the success of the day.
Michael Minnich ’84 committed $30,000 in support of the Witt Opportunity Scholarship. During Commit to Witt, $500 was unlocked for each gift made by alumni from the classes of 1980 through 1989, until the full $30,000 challenge gift was released.
Additionally, Wendell ‘66 and Nancy Lutz wanted to recognize the importance of supporting Wittenberg’s facilities with their challenge. They committed $25,000 in support of Campus Stewardship and Facilities. When 100 donors made a gift during Commit to Witt, their challenge gift was unlocked.
To see all the challenges and stats so far from this exciting day, visit wittenberg.edu/commit2witt. Although Commit to Witt 2026 has concluded, those interested in participating can still make an impact on current and future Tigers by making a gift here.
