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Faculty & Staff Excellence

By supporting endowed faculty and staff positions, and outstanding innovation in teaching and research, we honor those who pass on their knowledge and wisdom at Wittenberg.


Why It Matters

Relationships between students and faculty, and students and staff, are a defining feature of the liberal arts experience at Wittenberg. Professors, coaches, program directors, and other staff members deserve the same level of passionate commitment from Wittenberg as they deliver to our students every day.


How We Can Make a Difference 

  • Fully fund endowed faculty and staff positions, powerful recruitment tools that ensure faculty and staff excellence and keep great people at Wittenberg.
  • Support innovation in teaching and research, promoting intellectual curiosity and creativity and keeping the academic experience fresh and relevant.


Why Right Now

Across higher education, institutions are facing unprecedented financial challenges due to changes in student demographics and unpredictable economic upheaval. The need to insulate our faculty and staff from the fluctuations of the market while we boost enrollment and retention is real, and it is urgent. Above all, to support faculty and staff is to sustain the relationships that are at the heart of the Wittenberg experience. 

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The challenges facing Wittenberg and all of higher education are significant. Specifically, we face an operational shortfall and cash crunch for the current fiscal year and next. Unrestricted gifts support the area of greatest need on campus. Click here to make a gift to the Wittenberg Fund.

$2,500
Early Giving Challenge
Janet E. Jackson '75 knows that Wittenberg needs dedicated champions to give back as part of #Commit2Witt. That's why she will donate $2,500 to the Witt Fund when early gifts from fellow Tigers total the same amount!
$2,500 Goal
$1,000
100 Donor Challenge
Steven '79 and Catherine Jefferis are issuing a 100 Donor Challenge! When we receive gifts from 100 unique donors, they will unlock $1,000 for The Wittenberg Fund. Let’s come together and make an impact! Pass your light and give like a Tiger during #Commit2Witt!
100 Donor Goal
$5,000
90s Grads Challenge
Dave Huml '91 is challenging all 1990s grads to step up during #Commit2Witt! After we receive the next 25 gifts from 1990s graduates, he will unlock $5,000 for The Wittenberg Fund. Pass Your Light! Give Like a Tiger!
25 Gift Goal
$10,000
1970s Grad Challenge
The class of 1971 is stepping up with a bold challenge! Anonymous #WittWed alumni from the 1970s are calling on their fellow Tigers from the decade to pass their light and give like a Tiger. When 100 gifts are made to any fund by 1970s grads during #Commit2Witt, they will unlock $10,000 for The Wittenberg Fund. Let’s unite as a decade and make an impact!
100 Gift Goal
$1,845
Provost Challenge - Faculty Development
Wittenberg faculty work tirelessly to support student learning. To help give them the opportunity to learn and grow as teacher-scholars, Provost Brian Yontz will donate $1,845 when 20 gifts are made to the Faculty Development Fund!
20 Gift Goal
$1,000
Local Alumni Challenge
Calling all local alumni from Springfield and the surrounding areas! An anonymous alumnus from the class of 1983 is challenging you to make an impact. They will unlock $1,000 for The Wittenberg Fund once we receive 50 gifts from local Tigers during #Commit2Witt. Pass your light and give like a Tiger!
50 Gift Goal
Event
Where's Ezry Challenge
Where's Ezry the Tiger? Cheryl '78 and Howard Petty are challenging Wittenberg students to find Ezry the Tiger during Commit to Witt! When students find a stress Ezry or a plush Ezry on campus they will unlock a portion of this new and exciting competitive $4,000 challenge! This challenge benefits The Wittenberg Fund. The winner will snap a picture and tag Wittenberg University on Instagram or X and share where they found Ezry. The victor keeps Ezry and is entered to win a prize from a local business.
Leaderboard
Alumni Chapter Leaderboard
Pass your light and give like a Tiger! Show your alumni pride and see where your chapter stacks up in the leaderboard.
Event
Make Your Commitment on Commit to Witt Day
When 50 alumni commit to any recurring gift, monthly or quarterly, the Alumni Association Board will unlock $1,845. Pass your light and give like a Tiger!
$2,500
Shaping Generations Through Education!
Steve '75 and Mary Alice '75 Neely are generously offering a $2,500 challenge to honor Wittenberg’s incredible Education Department professors—those who have shaped generations of students, just as Dr. Virginia Lucas did for Mary Alice. Once we receive 750 gifts during #Commit2Witt, their challenge will be unlocked, amplifying the impact of every gift. Pass your light, give like a Tiger, and support the legacy of excellence in education.
750 Gift Goal
$1,750
2000-2009 Grad Year Challenge
Julian ’01 and Brianne Barclay ’04 Gilbert are calling on Wittenberg graduates from the classes of 2000 to 2009 to Give Like a Tiger! Once we receive 50 gifts from graduates of this decade, they will unlock their generous $1,750 gift to the Witt Fund.
50 Gift Goal
$10,000
1980s Grad Challenge
George '84 and Judy '82 Huntley are leading the 1980s challenge! They will unlock $10,000 for The Wittenberg Fund when we receive 100 gifts from 1980s grads during #Commit2Witt. Let’s make an impact. Pass Your Light! Give Like a Tiger!
100 Gift Goal
$1,000
1960s Grad Challenge
A special challenge just for 1960s grads! Witt Wed alumni from the era are stepping up to unlock $1,000 for The Wittenberg Fund once 60 gifts are made to any fund. Let’s join together to make an impact. Pass your light and give like a Tiger during #Commit2Witt!
60 Gift Goal
$1,845
Alumni Board First-time Donor Challenge
The Alumni Association Board is challenging the Witt community to help 250 alumni and friends who have never made a gift to Wittenberg make their first gift today in celebration of Commit to Witt. When 250 first time donors make their gift, the Alumni Association will unlock $1,845!
250 Donor Goal
$1,000
Springfield Alumni Challenge
Karen Duncan '67 is calling on Springfield alumni to support Wittenberg and its strong connection to the community! When 20 gifts are made by Springfield alumni, she will unlock $1,000 in support. Pass your light and give like a Tiger during #Commit2Witt!
20 Gift Goal
Leaderboard
Decades Challenge
Give like a Tiger and see which decade has the most Tiger Pride on #Commit2Witt.
Event
Ohio Tigers Challenge
Attention Ohio Tigers! A generous anonymous donor is ready to unlock $2,000 for The Wittenberg Fund after we receive the next 50 gifts from donors in Ohio. Show your support during #Commit2Witt as we unlock this amazing challenge together. Pass Your Light! Give Like a Tiger!
Areas of Support
Immediate University Priorities Student Access & Scholarships Department & Program Support Experiential Learning & Study Away Campus Stewardship & Facilities William A. McClain Center Faculty & Staff Excellence Athletics Campus Life
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Or you can contact us at wittfund@wittenberg.edu.

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