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Witt Nation FAQ

General Background

  • From July 11-Aug. 2, three recent graduates of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, are traveling 7,000 miles in three weeks in an effort to bring the university to its alumni who live in all 50 states and more than 70 countries.
  • Cities on the tour include Cleveland, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.
  • The first-of-its kind alumni listening tour provides an opportunity for the nationally ranked institution to learn how it’s defined through the voices of its alumni and to discern the common threads that will help the university build an even stronger future.
  • The trek also will affirm why Wittenberg’s mission – to challenge students to become responsible global citizens, to discover their callings, and to lead personal, professional, and civic lives of creativity, service, compassion, and integrity – remains relevant in an ever-changing, complex world.
  • Service to humanity has and always will be part of Wittenberg’s mission. As such, the Witt Nation road crew will conduct service projects with fellow alumni and community members through Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran Social Services at select locations across the country during the tour.
  • The tour will incorporate interactive components, including blogs by all involved and videos of alumni sharing their Wittenberg stories, which will be posted on the tour’s newly established dynamic Web site: www.wittenberg.edu/wittnation to share with the world.
  • The stories gathered will provide a living history of the university, which will inform, inspire and unite generations long after the tour ends.
  • The extensive tour is expected to start a trend as colleges seek out new and innovative ways to connect with their alumni.
  • The crew will travel in a van shrink-wrapped to reflect the first-ever endeavor. The van wrap was donated, and fuel has also been donated for the entire trip.
  • Alumni around the country have offered to host the Witt Nation crew in their homes and/or pay for hotels on the trip. Additional donations from alumni include: equipment, coffee and support for a carbon-neutral trip.
  • The tour is the brainchild of Wittenberg Alumni Relations Director Linda Beals, Wittenberg class of 1987. The three main travelers are 2007 graduates Ashley Petersen, assistant director of alumni relations, Brian DeSantis, assistant director of the university’s annual fund, and Ross Ballinger, new media assistant for interactive communication.    
  • The three-person crew will be joined by other university officials at various stops, including Beals, University President Mark Erickson, Director of New Media Bob Rafferty, Vice President for University Advancement Brenda Duncan, and Assistant Director of Admission Ann Bixel, who has helped to engage prospective students at several of the tour stops as well. Office of Advancement student interns Tyler Siemon, class of 2010 from New Carlisle, Ohio, and Ashley Manson, class of 2009 from Covington, Ohio, will monitor everything from Wittenberg’s campus in Springfield, Ohio.

Fast Facts

  • A nationally ranked liberal arts college located in Springfield, Ohio, Wittenberg is among only a handful of schools that require community service to graduate.
  • Wittenberg ranks 14th among national liberal arts colleges in the percentage of alumni who serve in the Peace Corps.
  • The first group to assist the newly established Habitat for Humanity-Maseru Chapter in the South African Kingdom of Lesotho consisted of Wittenberg students.
  • Wittenberg’s prestigious East Asian Studies Program is internationally recognized.
  • Wittenberg has one of the nation’s winningest Division III athletic programs.
  • Wittenberg boasts more Ohio Professors of the Year than any other four-year public or private college in the state.
  • Famous alumni include: Wordsmiths Isaac Funk, class of 1860, and Adam Wagnalls, class of 1866; founder of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Ronald Li, class of 1950; former head of the U.S. Olympic Committee Bill Martin, class of 1962; current interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Wachovia Corp. Lanty Smith, class of 1964; former acting CIA director John E. McLaughlin, class of 1964; actor James Rebhorn, class of 1970; and award-winning Washington Post photographer Lois Raimondo, class of 1981