News

2009 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
To find out who was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this year go here.

Alumnus Shares Hard Road, Importance of Completion
Matt Whitis '08 graduated after 22 years and it wasn't easy. Read his story.

Relive the memories of the 150th Choir Celebration
Celebrate 150 years of Otterbein Choirs by purchasing a CD recording of the Homecoming 2008 performance. Send a check for $15, made out to Otterbein College, with MEISA 150th CD in the memo line to:

50 years later, Bill LeMay '48 receives his second Bronze Star
Bill LeMay was a B-17 navigator stationed in England, but flying combat missions over Germany during WWII.Shortly after V-E Day, his unit was transferred to Nebraska. There the unit was preparing their B-29s in preparation to go to the Pacific theater when hostilities ended.

Bill was offered an immediate promotion to stay in the Army Air Corps. He declined as his future wife, Helen Hilt, was patiently (impatiently?) waiting for his return and marriage. Bill got out as quickly as he could! In fact, it was so quick that the Air Corps did not have an opportunity to award him the medals he had earned.(Medals were difficult to earn in WWII.) Bill did not know he had earned any decorations until he looked closely at his discharge papers and learned that he was awarded not one, but two Bronze Stars, which are the fourth highest military decoration. Part of the criteria for the Bronze Star reads, “The Bronze Star is awarded to an Armed Forces individual engaged in combat for bravery, acts of merit and meritorious service not involving participation in aerial flight…“

Because of the extensive fire at the Armed Force Records Center in St Louis several years ago which destroyed most WWII records, it is unlikely the Air Force ever officially award the Bronze Stars to Bill. To partially correct this injustice, the June Bug committee awarded Bill the “Bronze Star”, with an oak leaf cluster, signifying the two that he earned. This is not only a symbol of Bill’s distinguished service to our country, but it also shows our gratitude to Bill and Helen for hosting the June Bug Jamboree for 12 consecutive years, and their very generous support to Otterbein College.

Congratulations Bill LeMay!

In Remembrance

Retired Otterbein Voice Teacher Robert William Hohn Passes Away
Robert William Hohn, 92, of San Angelo, Texas, died on August 15, 2009. Obituary.

Mrs. Eleanor M. Roman passed away on June 17, 2009. Mrs. Roman taught in the Home Economics Department from 1973 to 1993. She will be fondly missed by Otterbein College and her former students. Contributions may be made in Mrs. Roman's name to HomeReach Hospice, Ohio Health Foundation, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Oh. 43215 or to The Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, Medical Center Development, c/o Wendy O'Brien, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Oh. 43218. To offer condolences to her family visit www.schoedinger.com.

Sadly we have heard that Dr. Bill Hamilton passed away on Sunday, July 5 in Casper, Wyoming. Retiring to Denver, Colorado from his presidency at Western State College, he was a former Otterbein English professor, Chair of the English Department, Chair of Integrative Studies Department and Associate Dean of Academics from the early 60's and 1968 to 1983.

Dr. Arnold Leonard passed away on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. He was a professor of Life and Earth Sciences at Otterbein from 1964 to 1989. His interests included being an avid golfer and Penn State fan. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at his home at 102 Triesta Pl. in Wetserville on Monday, Nov. 2 from 4 - 8 p.m.