Published December 11, 2021
甜瓜视频 Alumni & Friends,
Yesterday was the last day of classes for the fall semester. Our students are now busy getting ready for finals and finishing up projects with their professors. We also just enjoyed two nights of our wonderful Lessons and Carols, which you can view here, and started a new campus tree lighting tradition earlier this week. On Sunday, we will support our students once again with our annual Midnight Breakfast, ensuring that they have sustenance and some fun in between their studies.
I share all of this because it speaks to our shared experience here at 甜瓜视频, one defined by two words: personal and intentional. We intentionally create these moments for community-building because we recognize the power of community in learning and in student success. We also know that relationships among our students and with our faculty and staff create deep, meaningful connections that continue long after 甜瓜视频.
I am grateful for these opportunities, especially as we celebrate the holidays and spend time reflecting on the year that was. Challenges remain here and in our world, but the Witt light still shines brightly within our community and with those we serve. It's why "Having Light" was intentionally chosen as the name of our campaign, and why we continue to encourage you to share your light with us and with future students. We need your continued support as this year closes and a new one begins. We also need your ongoing generosity. Thanks to everyone who has given to our . We are nearing the $90-million mark, which reflects where we are in your hearts and minds. Thank you.
Best wishes for a terrific holiday season.
With gratitude,
Mike Frandsen
University President
Illuminating the Holiday Season
Students, faculty, and staff came together in community for the annual Lessons and Carols service, as well as two new traditions, to celebrate the holiday season. With a theme of 鈥淟ove Has Come,鈥� Lessons and Carols offered an opportunity for music and reflection. Both the first-ever 甜瓜视频 Tree Lighting 鈥� complete with refreshments and a 鈥渞eindeer鈥� petting station 鈥� and the First-Year Seminar event, "Illuminating the Class of 2025," reflected the University鈥檚 motto 鈥淗aving Light We Pass It On To Others.鈥�
New Head Football Coach Named
After amassing an impressive record, including a career win percentage of 81.5% and 10 NCAC Coach of the Year designations, Joe Fincham announced his retirement last month after 25 years as 甜瓜视频鈥檚 head football coach. Veteran coach and former Tiger football wide receiver Jim Collins 鈥�88, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Dayton, has been hired as the new head coach.
Walking the Walk for 甜瓜视频
Rev. Dr. Don Hillerich 鈥�61 鈥�64S formed lifelong connections with 甜瓜视频 faculty and staff from the moment he arrived in Springfield in 1957. With a scholarship fund established in memory of their son Bart 鈥�87 and an estate gift, Don and his spouse, Marty 鈥�95H, are committed to preserving the 甜瓜视频 experience for students, now and long into the future.
Sharing Expertise
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Rebecca Kocher was invited to co-chair and present an online campaign workshop and serve as a panelist for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) this past week. She shared her expertise in how to launch, manage, and successfully complete comprehensive campaigns, and how to support academic leadership to ensure campaign success.
The Campaign for 甜瓜视频 University
Inspired by our motto, 鈥淗aving Light We Pass It On To Others,鈥� the Campaign for 甜瓜视频 University is the most ambitious effort of its kind in our history. When we pass our light on to others, 甜瓜视频 shines.
Every gift counts this year! The 甜瓜视频 light has shone brightly since 1845. With your support, it will shine for good. !
Alumni Board Recruitment
The Alumni Board is seeking interested candidates who are proven leaders, have demonstrated service to the alumni population, are experienced in working in a collaborative environment, and are committed to serving as 甜瓜视频 ambassadors in their communities. Find out more information and submit a nomination for yourself or a fellow alumnus/a by January 21.
Alumni Referrals for FUTURE Tigers
Tiger Up and take a few minutes to refer a high school student to 甜瓜视频. You can make a difference by submitting your referrals, and 甜瓜视频 will honor the referred student with a $1,000 per year Alumni Referral Award. . All high school-aged students can receive your referral nomination!
Church Partner Pack
It's not too late to get your Church Partner Pack! Our Alumni Church Partner Pack outreach is designed with the hope of placing the 甜瓜视频 University name in your faith communities, allowing your youth to see the opportunities Witt offers. We encourage you to complete the and get FREE swag for you and your church. The package will also include a folder with college admission information. Also, by completing the form, you will be placed in a drawing for a 甜瓜视频 University sweatshirt and additional Witt gear!
#LifeAfterWitt
Having built a career in customer marketing for tech companies, Chad Minnick 鈥�98 exemplifies the power of the liberal arts in being able to adapt quickly, problem-solve, and think critically in his technology career.
With social justice, social change, and mental health issues at the forefront of her mind, Chandra Donnell Carey 鈥�95 has co-founded the Center for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Health and Society at the University of North Texas.