Founded June 1, 1940 by Wittenberg President R. Edgar Tulloss, the Wittenberg Guild has since raised more than $500,000 for the university in the form of scholarships, art work, the Ann Miller Gallery, pianos for Krieg Hall, campus landscaping and the Wally Witt sculpture, which sits on the ledge of the Benham-Pence Student Center.

Sixteen guild chapters were once active throughout Ohio and the nearby states, but Springfield now has the only Wittenberg Guild chapter.

“As members of the Wittenberg Guild, we take pride in its affiliation with the university,” said Mary Lou Loftis, Wittenberg Guild president.

“Wittenberg plays a vital role in the cultural, educational and economic well-being of our community,” she added. In 1990, the Guild began providing scholarships for students to attend Wittenberg from Clark County and the contiguous counties.

“Presently, we feel that we can best benefit both Wittenberg and the community by providing funds for scholarships for our qualified area students,” Loftis said.

The Guild, which sponsors an annual style show and the Martha Rodgers Benefactors’ Fund, recently presented a check for $35,000 to the university.

Proceeds from both the style show and the Martha Rodgers Benefactors’ Fund contributed to the amount.