As an undergraduate, Jonathan Faber ’94, recipient of the 2003 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, used to trek up Myers hill with more than just books and notes. Everyday, rain or shine, he would walk to Synod Hall with his guitar in one hand so that it would not be stolen or damaged by the hot sun or cold winter air in his car. Following class, he would then drive to Cincinnati for rehearsals, radio sessions and meetings with record executives.

Such commitment to his musical craft continued long after his graduation from Wittenberg, and now Faber, recently named one of the “40 Under 40” to watch by the Indianapolis Business Journal, is set to release his seventh full-length CD. He has also been invited to join the Ellington Orchestra on stage in New York City.

At the same time, Faber still manages to juggle his full-time career as an attorney and now as president of CMG Worldwide, an industry leader in licensing and celebrity representation.

Faber explained that the balance between music and law is natural; they both require a sense of preparation, timing and performance. “Stage experience helps polish a person’s presentation skills,” he said. Faber also credits Wittenberg’s writing-intensive classes for his ability to communicate across mediums.

“My education and experience at Wittenberg were invaluable to me and became the basis for whatever success I have achieved to date,” said Faber, who majored in English and earned his J.D. from Indiana University in 1999.

Although his business career has become a large part of his professional life, Faber still finds time for his music.

“I challenge myself to write all types of music, and I have a catalog of songs I’ve written that range from top 10, rock, country, R&B and even children’s songs,” he said.

Married to Margaret McNeely Faber ’94, Faber insists that the key to success is persistence, planning and determination.

“I firmly believe in carefully and specifically crafting goals,” Faber said. “If you don’t have a roadmap when you set out on a drive, you may end up somewhere you don’t want to be, and the same can be said for life.”

— Cole Christensen ’03