Springfield, Ohio - The five-year Defining Moments Campaign has achieved unprecedented levels of philanthropic support - being more than three times larger than that of Wittenberg's largest previous campaign. The grand total will be announced at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 during a gala campaign celebration called "Our Time to Shine," a reference to the university motto "Having Light We Pass it On to Others."
Wittenberg President Baird Tipson will welcome special guests including The Hon. Janet E. Jackson, Columbus City attorney and a 1975 graduate of Wittenberg, television actor Peter Kluge, Wittenberg class of 1984, and playwright, actor and 2001 Wittenberg graduate Daniel Stroeh. "Our Time to Shine" will celebrate Wittenberg soaring past its $70 million fund-raising goal well ahead of its Dec. 31, 2001 deadline.
The results have been huge, too, according to Charles Dominick, vice president for university advancement. The campaign has already provided Wittenberg with Hollenbeck Hall, a state-of-the-art classroom building and the addition of a laboratory wing to the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. These gifts have also allowed significant growth of the university endowment, generating more student scholarships and endowed faculty positions, he added.
"We're not done yet, by any means, but we are very proud of our hard work and the support we have received," Dominick said. "Wittenberg has many more needs to fill, and we are going to continue this momentum into the future."
Aptly named, the Defining Moments Campaign began in October 1996 to define the future of quality programs that will allow future generations of students to make their mark on the world. Wittenberg is extremely grateful to National Campaign Chairman Robert E. Ness a 1963 graduate of Wittenberg and president of ODW Logistics Inc. and Dist-Trans Company headquartered in Columbus, for his fine leadership of this monumental effort. The success of this campaign enables Wittenberg to position itself for the future and to continue to attract a diverse, high-quality student population.
The Springfield component to the campaign, under the dedicated leadership of Larry Baker '71, president of Baker Financial Planning in Springfield, also surpassed its goal more than a year prior to the end of the fund-raising drive. The total raised in Springfield topped $20 million.
"Our Time to Shine" will feature performances by the Wittenberg Choir, Clarinet Trio, Dance Ensemble, Handbell Choir, Gala Brass Ensemble and WittMen Crew, the student a cappella harmony group. A dessert reception will follow the creative performances.
The event at the Kuss Auditorium in the Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center, is planned as a tribute to those who have made the Defining Moments Campaign the most successful in Wittenberg history. Shuttle service from Wittenberg's campus will begin at 7 p.m. from the south door of the Benham-Pence Student Center. The event is free and open to the community; however, a ticket is required for admittance. For advance seating tickets, contact the Office of University Advancement at (937) 327-7980.
Wittenberg University has more than 24,000 alumni representing all 50 states and 60 foreign countries. The private, liberal arts and sciences college enjoys the enthusiastic support of alumni, their parents and friends. A Phi Beta Kappa school with a broad choice of majors on a picturesque campus, Wittenberg offers a friendly community and a distinguished teaching tradition close to both Columbus and Dayton, Ohio.
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