On Wednesday, Aug. 19, a delivery truck pulled into Otterbein Facilities Services with a major “hands-on” alumni donation befitting a pandemic. 

Darrell Miller ’79 is co-founder of Aqua Science, Inc., and an actively engaged alumnus. He has been a fixture with the Otterbein Men’s Basketball team since his four years as a player and now serves as a volunteer assistant with the program. Miller’s continued connection to Otterbein led him to make a donation of 600 gallons of hand sanitizer to campus as a way to give-back to his alma mater during the pandemic. 

“Alumni step up when the campus needs their support, and Darrell provided a crucial item that will positively impact all students, faculty, and staff,” said Director of Alumni Relations Steve Crawford.” We’re so grateful to Darrell for his generous gift, especially as the campus works to keep the community safe and healthy for fall semester.” 

Aqua Science, Inc., is a regional water treatment company based in Columbus, Ohio. They provide advice to treatment facilities on safe, cost-effective water treatment programs. Executive Director of Facilities Management Troy Bonte said Miller and his company have been working with Otterbein’s water plant for several years. 

“The University uses Aqua Science as a consultant and vendor. Recently they have taken over the water deionizing process for the Science Building,” Bonte said. “Darrell’s strong alumni connection to Otterbein with his business and also through athletics helped make all this possible.” 

The eight pallets of hand sanitizer arrived at a perfect moment for Otterbein as the campus prepares to ensure the health of everyone in the community and as the CDC still says the best protection against COVID-19 is to wash your hands and use sanitizer when water and soap aren’t readily available. 

Otterbein alumni give back to the campus community in impactful ways every day in so many ways. Only Otterbein facilitates lifelong connections between multiple generations of Cardinals! 

See more photos of Miller’s donation in our photo gallery.