Otterbein Editorial Staff, Author at Otterbein University Towers

More than a Mission: Otterbein Students Build Community in Cuba

Otterbein students and staff traveled to Cuba from May 7-13 for a transformative service-learning trip

Sponsored by two Westerville United Methodist churches. Led by Rev. Lucy Kelly, Otterbein’s director of faith and spiritual life and associate pastor at Church of the Master, and Rev. Pete Elliott, associate pastor at Church of the Messiah, the group spent the week working alongside Cuban churches and families through service, cultural exchange, and moments of shared generosity.

What can a week in Cuba teach you about generosity, resilience, and joy? Answering this question, a group of 19 people (including Otterbein students and staff, and local church members) traveled to Cuba from May 7-13 for a transformative service-learning trip sponsored by two Westerville United Methodist churches, Church of the Messiah and Church of the Master. Led by Rev. Lucy Kelly, Otterbein’s director of faith and spiritual life and associate pastor at Church of the Master, and Rev. Pete Elliott, associate pastor at Church of the Messiah, the group spent the week working alongside Cuban churches and families through service, cultural exchange, and moments of shared generosity.

Hands-On Help

Each day, students had opportunities to serve, from working on farms foraging mangoes and herbs, to preparing meals, delivering bags of rice and beans, and connecting with children and parents who are part of a local disability ministry in Cuba.

“It wasn’t an opportunity for charity. It was an opportunity to care with each other,” said Kelly. “We appreciated the hospitality offered to us, and we brought what we could: fellowship, prayer, music, and rice and beans that, for some, would be more than they had seen in months.”

Moments of Connection

The most life-changing moments for students involved some of the simplest exchanges. They were welcomed into local homes to distribute rice and beans but found so much more through song, prayer, and shared experiences.

Despite the language barrier, shared humanity revealed more similarities than the borders that divided them.

“We are so much more alike than we are different. Even though there is a language barrier, there is love that puts all of that aside and we were able to understand one another,” said Kyra “Coach Ky” Crook, a student success coach at Otterbein.

Otterbein student Laura Ornelas served as one of the group’s translators.

“When we were going directly to the homes, I got the experience of translating for my group. I was kind of like that bridge between people,” she said. “We sang the same songs; we knew them in English, and they knew them in Spanish.”

Giving What You Have

“There was an older woman who gave another person a mango she received,” one student shared. “Even with so little, people gave what they had to others.”

This was the biggest lesson students learned: that everyone has something valuable to give, even when they think they have nothing. Even while grappling with hardship, Cuban families welcomed everyone with endless generosity. Despite not receiving rice from their local bodegas for months, people were willing to give to others.

“There was a sense of presence, of everybody really feeling seen and heard, even across the language barrier,” Kelly said. “Nobody was showing up as anybody’s savior. It wasn’t one-sided in any way.”

The Ripple Effect

As the trip came to an end, students left with memories and a new sense of purpose and care.

“If each person is more intentional about making a positive impact, that ripple effect can go a long way,” said Coach Ky. “Sometimes all you need to do is show up, be kind, and serve, whether that’s in a food pantry, a school, or a different country.”

The experience was transformative and gave students lifelong connections with locals in Cuba, many of whom they continue to stay in contact with.

The group arrived hoping to serve. They left with something even more meaningful: a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to a global community, where generosity flows both ways and compassion speaks louder than words or differences.

“We were ambassadors of Otterbein, Church of the Master, and Church of the Messiah,” Kelly said. “But by the end, we felt like we were ambassadors for Cuba, too.”

From the Archives: Otterbein Shut Down Buckeyes in Massive Gridiron Upset

While it may be the fantasy of every Cardinal fan, it usually ends when they wake up and realize it was all a dream, and Otterbein didn’t actually happen. But in fact, it did happen, and not only once, but three times. A shock that the Buckeyes don’t even acknowledge in their record book.

Both Otterbein and Ohio State started football in 1890. The Buckeyes’ record that first year was 1-3, while Otterbein was 0-2. In 1891 both teams started the season with a showdown on Saturday, Oct. 17, doing battle on the Otterbein athletic fields behind Towers Hall. By that time OSU, for some reason, was full of bravado and confidence. The week before the game the mighty Buckeyes looked at the game against lowly Otterbein as a pushover.

Ernest Barnard, class of 1895, was known as the “Father of Otterbein Athletics.” He was a founding member of the varsity football team in 1889 and led it to a winning season in 1891 — including a victory over The Ohio State University, 42-6. In that same year, tan and cardinal were chosen as Otterbein’s school colors.

“Unfortunately, the OSU boys were severely guyed and jeered by the spectators, because of the spirit in which they came to play,” The Columbus Dispatch reported two days later. “It had been published in a daily paper that they were going up to ‘practice on’ the Otterbein team, and they further made boasts that they would win the game by a score of 69 to 0. These things, probably thoughtless, spread among the (Otterbein) students and citizens like wildfire and caused a rather unpleasant feeling.”

At 2 p.m., Ohio State kicked off to Otterbein to start the game. Surprisingly, the Cardinals marched down the field to the Ohio State goal line when quarterback Garst scored in exactly two minutes. Otterbein manhandled the Buckeyes the whole first half with the score being 22-0 at the half.

The Ohio State Lantern, the student newspaper, of course, had a different view of the game.

At call of time by Referee E. S. Bernard, Otterbein put the ball in play by a well-organized rush, which O. S. U. could not stop before ten yards had been gained. This feat the crowd cheered lustily, the ladies waving their handkerchiefs with loyal vigor. After rapid, puzzling passing, Garst, G. B., ran around left end and made the first “touch down” for Otterbein in less than three minutes from the beginning of the game. Capt. Thompson, Otterbein, then kicked “goal” amid ringing cheers. The O. S. U. ‘ s thereafter were subjected to insulting remarks and ridicule on part of the crowd, wholly unworthy of college students. Indeed, the unfair and unmannerly conduct was of such a nature as to call for a voluntary explanation and apology from members of the Otterbein Team. One person in particular, made himself especially obnoxious to the visitors and all fair-minded people by his offensive and impertinent conduct. The game throughout was but a repetition of this first touchdown. Rapid passes, splendid guarding, herculean rushes, good runs piled the lead for Otterbein, and at the end of the first half the score stood O. U., 22; O. S. U., 0. One thing was evident, O. S. U. were not playing in even their usual manner. They seemed nonplussed at the brilliant onset made by Otterbein, and were unable to recover themselves.

Otterbein kicked off to begin the second half, and Ohio State’s left halfback Beatty led the Buckeyes to their first score of the day. It began to look like the second half would belong to OSU, just as the first half had to Otterbein. “At beginning of second half O. S. U. started with the ball and were rapidly advancing to O. S. U. ‘ s goal, when Garst, Otterbein, captured the ball through fumbling of O. S. U. and started for Otterbein goal at other end of the field, Scott, H. B., O. S. U., in hot pursuit,” it was written in The Lantern. “The crowd was treated to a delightful sprint, the participants being Garst about 4 ft. 9 in. in height, Scott, 6 ft. Scott was unfortunately ‘tripped up’ by a rut in the grounds and was unable to prevent a touch down for O. U.”

The Cardinals pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and kept pouring it on scoring 20-points, making the final score Otterbein-42, OSU-6. The victory, as reported in the Otterbein Aegis, was credited to Otterbein captain, Thompson, right tackle, who developed a new system of communicating signals to the players.

Although humbled, OSU acted like gentlemen. However, they did try to redeem themselves by challenging the Otterbein eleven to a 100-yard dash after the game. The gauntlet was taken up, and the race pitted OSU’s Fullerton against Otterbein’s R.C. Kumler, neither of which played in the game. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Kumler easily won the race, thus sealing a total victory for the Cardinals.

According to the 1901 Sybyl, the first edition of Otterbein’s yearbook, this was even listed as the university’s first intercollegiate track event.

After O.S.U. had been defeated in football by a very large score, and laboring under the delusion that they had a man who could sprint some, they challenged us for (sic) a foot race, a one-hundred-yard dash. The ‘defi,’ was immediately accepted. O.S.U. presented a man by the name of Fullerton, while R.C. Kumler appeared against him for Otterbein. The result was never in doubt, and ‘Dick’ won in a ‘walk.’

The two teams didn’t meet again until Sept. 30, 1893, with Otterbein hosting OSU once again and winning for the second time 22-16. Two years later, in 1895, they met once again at Otterbein. After the previous two battles, the game was much anticipated according to the Dispatch.

Both teams have in other years attained much glory on the football field and they are believed to be nearly equally matched. It is a remarkable fact that the OSU rushers have never been able to conquer the lads at Otterbein. This may have been due to the peculiar fact that these two teams have never contested two years in succession, and it may have been that OSU was unfortunate enough to go up against Otterbein when the latter was especially strong, and when she herself was especially weak. However, this may be Otterbein now stands undefeated by the state university and the lads from the latter have made up their minds to secure a victory no matter what it may cost. These circumstances prophesy one of the most exciting contests ever witnessed on a football oval and hundreds, and perhaps thousands of people will go out from Columbus to see the spat.

Otterbein once again got the best of the Buckeyes, 14-6. But it would be the 1896 game that would be the most anticipated.

The United States was in the throughs of a depression, “The Panic of 1893.” It was an election year with the republican candidate, former Ohio governor William McKinley, taking on Nebraska congressman William Jennings Bryan. The depression was the main subject of debate during the campaign, with Bryan urging the country to go off the gold standard in favor of silver while McKinley favored the status quo. Bryan campaigned across the country. McKinley conducted a “front porch” campaign from his home in Canton. Less than a month before the Nov. 3 election, a “College Day” was held in Canton to show McKinley he had the support from college students and faculty from over the State of Ohio.

The Otterbein – Ohio State game was scheduled for Oct. 12 at Otterbein. It was decided on short notice to shift the game to Oct. 17 and move it to Canton and the Stark County Fairgrounds to take advantage of “College Day.” According to The Columbus Dispatch, it quickly became one of the most anticipated events of the weekend.

To-morrow the great football game between Otterbein and O.S.U. will be played upon the Canton gridiron. A special train will be run from this city to the scene of the contest, and it is estimated that hundreds of enthusiastic admirers of the sport will be present from all parts of the state. It is known that representatives from over 25 colleges will be on hand and the day will be given over to Mr. McKinley and football. . . Otterbein has defeated O.S.U. every time they have met in ’91, ’93 and ’95, and the rivalry between the two Columbus teams is to the swift

The Ohio State team left for Canton at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, with Otterbein leaving at 8 a.m. on game day, Oct. 17. The Otterbein train carried over 1,000 people with college delegations from OSU, Ohio Wesleyan, Capital, Kenyon, and Denison among other schools. After both teams met with the future president it was off to the gridiron for the afternoon’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

The game turned out to be a typical game played between the two schools. At halftime the score was 0-0. Both teams were playing hard tough football, but Otterbein showed the effects of fatigue from making the trip to Canton earlier that day. The Buckeyes’ play in the second half was a little more energetic, showing the wisdom of making the trip from Columbus the night before. Otterbein’s left end, Dempsey, “. . . entered the game in a dazed condition – the result of the long ride on the train in the morning – and in tackling (OSU’s) Crecelius on the sixth play of the game he received a broken nose. In spite of this he remained in the game, repeatedly making tackles that brought loud applause from the side lines.”

In the fourth quarter, Ohio State began wearing down Otterbein. They scored 12 unanswered points in rapid succession. With five minutes left in the game, both teams and officials decided to call the game due to darkness. Finally, after three defeats, Ohio State defeated Otterbein for the first time, 12-0.

Otterbein would never beat the Buckeyes again, though they would tie them three times. They played 19 times overall, with Otterbein having three victories, 13 defeats to the Buckeyes, with three ties. Not a good statistical record, but what a way to start — those exhilarating three days when Otterbein felt superior to Ohio State on the gridiron.

Cardinals Athletics

Watch national champion Olivia Shore hit the wrestling mats, cheer on the nationally ranked volleyball team, or watch the football program grow under new Head Coach Dave Marquis.

Find all the latest news and schedules for your favorite sports here! >

Faculty Excellence and Innovation

Otterbein’s faculty are researchers, performers, and professionals who are excelling and innovating in their fields — and inspiring their students to do the same.

Sarah Bouchard Develops First Team-Taught Coalition Course

Professor Sarah Bouchard’s research interest in the Galápagos Islands spans many years. When the opportunity presented itself to co-lead a trip there, she jumped at the chance.

Bouchard, a professor in biology and earth science at Otterbein, and Dawn Murray, a professor in environmental studies at Antioch University, led a group of 12 students on a two-week academic adventure in May, which was the first team-taught course between Otterbein and Antioch University, cofounders of the Coalition for the Common Good.

“I had visited the Galápagos Islands as a college student doing research for my senior thesis, and when the opportunity arose, I knew it would be great for our students,” said Bouchard.

“We prepared for 18 months, coordinating learning outcomes, course content, assignments, and the trip itinerary. Dr. Murray had taught Galápagos travel courses previously, and she had a history of working with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI),” added Bouchard. The mission of IOI is to support Galápagos communities and sustainably protect their environment through study-abroad programs highlighting conservation.

After finishing a hectic week of spring semester finals, the group of Otterbein students was excited to hike volcanoes, snorkel with sea lions, and restore native ecosystems 3,000 miles from home. The Galápagos Islands are home to species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. With the effects of invasive species on already threatened ecosystems becoming harder to ignore, these students stepped up to help protect this unique ecosystem.

Before departing, the Otterbein students completed a spring course that covered topics such as island geology, evolution, environmental threats, and tourism. “At the end of the term, before we traveled, students each gave a presentation on a plant and animal of their choosing,” Bouchard said. “Everyone became excited to find their organisms on the islands.”

On Isabela Island, students joined two projects: removing invasive Kikuyu grass and rewilding endangered Scalesia trees. “The plant removal was set along the beach, about a 30-minute walk out from where we were staying,” said Sydnee Goff. “The invasive plant we were removing was Kikuyu grass, which was originally from East Africa. Since the plants make dense mats, they choke out competing vegetation and prevent sea turtles from digging nests.”

At the Juan Chavez Ruiz Forest Nursery, they assisted in moving saplings and preparing them for reintroduction to the wild. “Once the saplings begin to strengthen, they are placed right outside the nursery to assess whether they are ready to be rewilded,” Goff said.

Students were immersed in local culture. “We engaged with the community the entire trip; we slept in their hostels, ate at their restaurants, walked with them on the streets, snorkeled and boated with them, and learned something new about their culture every day,” Goff said. They spent one afternoon with island elders, sharing empanadas, singing songs, and playing bingo.

Daily adventures had moments of challenge and growth. “We biked eight miles to the Wall of Tears, where we learned about the history of a penal colony on the island,” Bouchard said. “We also did a 10-mile hike to the top of a volcano and through a vast lava field. Some students worried they wouldn’t be able to finish those excursions and were especially proud when they did.”

The experience taught that sustainability could be built into everyday life. “By being immersed and living their lifestyle for a week, I’ve learned many new sustainable practices that can be implemented in the United States as well,” Goff said. “Water usage is conserved on the islands. Although it is not a limited resource, they use tap water very sparingly. Since there is a landfill on the island, they try to compact their trash and dispose of as little as possible.”

“Because the economy is so heavily dependent on tourism, there is an extreme emphasis on island conservation,” Bouchard said. “The students were impressed with how conservation seemed to be a way of life on the islands, much more so than in the United States.”

The experience left a lasting impression. “Ultimately, I believe this trip has radicalized me,” Goff said. “The islanders’ perspective and respect for biodiversity and nature have made me realize that a healthy Earth is not an unimaginable concept, but it takes advocacy and practice.”

Carnegie Hall Came Calling for Flute Instructor Lindsey Goodman

Lindsey Goodman, Otterbein adjunct professor of flute, made her Carnegie Hall debut to a sold-out house in New York City’s Weill Recital Hall on Jan. 24, 2025. The recital, presented by PARMA Recordings and performed with pianist Clare Longendyke, was the release concert for her fourth solo album, in the company of music, which was released on Sept. 6, 2024.

Goodman knew she wanted to be a flutist long before most people find their calling. “My father played flute in high school, and he played songs he remembered to help lull me to sleep as a small child. My first memory is of the flute,” she shared. “As they say, ‘the wand chooses the wizard!’”

She went on to earn degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, and Duquesne University and perform across three continents, including notable venues like the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest performing arts festival. She joined the Otterbein Music Department faculty in 2023.

In the classroom, Goodman encourages each musician she teaches to explore what distinguishes them from other musicians. “Helping the student in front of me at any given time is endlessly engaging,” she said. “Every flutist has a unique personality, goals, strengths, and challenges, and assisting them on their individual paths is a privilege.”

For her part, Goodman has performed more than 215 world premieres, due to her unique, steadfast preference for the work of living composers. “I specialize in the work of living American composers, as their music speaks directly to the shared world we live in and experience daily. If there’s no music of today, there will be no music of tomorrow,” she said.

For her Carnegie Hall debut, Goodman performed a selection of new compositions. “My record label, PARMA Recordings, put out a ‘Featured Recording Opportunity’ asking composers to submit works for solo flute and flute and piano,” she explained. “Selected works were recorded for my fourth solo album, in the company of music, and the album release concert was at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.”

Goodman performed two preview concerts in central Ohio, including one at Otterbein, before her Carnegie Hall performance. She also practiced rigorously for six weeks outside her teaching duties. Then the day of the concert arrived.

“The concert was sold out, and the audience was filled with family, friends who are like family, happy composers and their entourages, colleagues from my record label, and more. People flew in from all over the country and from abroad, and when walking on stage the first time, the audience cheered because they were as happy to be there as we were,” Goodman said.

While Carnegie Hall is a dream venue for most musicians, Goodman tells her students that there is something to be learned from every performance. “Undergraduate students get a taste of this preparation level with their senior recitals. Like anything, the more you practice a skill, the easier it becomes, so passing along my recital preparation experience enhances their preparedness,” she said.

When asked what she learned from her Carnegie Hall performance, Goodman looked to the future. “Society sometimes expects women in mid-life to fade into the background. Instead, I’m in my masterwork stage, playing better than at any other time in my career and continuing to improve and achieve. Expect much more from me!”

Indeed, Goodman’s fifth solo album, transporting bright, will be released on Nov. 7, 2025, thanks to support from the Ohio Arts Council and the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

A free, public album release concert will be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 in Riley Auditorium at the Battelle Fine Arts Center with support from the Johnstone Fund for New Music.

Goodman would like to extend a warm invitation to the entire community: “The #OtterFlutes will be there, and I hope that you, reader, will be, too!”

Daniel Cho Reframes Concept of Genius in New Book

What if you had the opportunity to be a genius? Once thought to be natural talent or exceptional intelligence, the concept of genius has long been seen as exclusive and rigid. For Daniel Cho, a professor in Otterbein University’s Department of Education, genius is not inherited or reserved for tech billionaires and artists. It is a process that anyone can pursue.

Cho has published widely on psychoanalysis, education, and political theology. His recent book, Genius After Psychoanalysis: Freud and Lacan (2024), reframes genius as a constant drive toward knowledge and an enjoyment of frustration. His earlier book, Psychopedagogy: Freud, Lacan, and the Psychoanalytic Theory of Education (2009), examines how psychoanalytic concepts can transform our understanding of learning.

Cho rejects the idea that genius is inherited through a special combination of genes. Instead, he turns to the psychoanalytic theory of sublimation, Freud’s idea that internal drives are transformed or acted out through behaviors. In the case of genius, those behaviors point toward intellectual or artistic knowledge.

People can transform these drives in many ways; typically, choices that require less effort, have a lower chance of mistakes, and have the least amount of unknowns. “The difference between the genius and the non-genius is that frustration for the genius is very satisfying. They love that feeling, and that’s what keeps them going in the research,” Cho said.

Rather than instant success, Cho argues, geniuses thrive on revision, failure, and not-yet-answers. This approach, he says, can be cultivated by anyone, especially students learning to value the process as much as the outcome.

Genius After Psychoanalysis also examines how cultural history has shaped ideas of genius. Cho revisits Freud’s psychobiography of Leonardo da Vinci, in which Freud analyzed da Vinci’s childhood memories and creative drive. While Freud defined da Vinci as a universal genius, Cho uses psychoanalysis to show how da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity and willingness to embrace anomalies reveal a broader theory of genius itself. For Cho, the story of da Vinci demonstrates that genius is not a rare inheritance but a way of working through frustration and failure toward new knowledge.

Historical measures of intelligence, such as standardized tests and eugenics, leave much to be desired, Cho said. Once stripped of both biological and environmental claims, he argues, what remains is the process of learning itself.

“When accounting for things like test scores, financial success, or even IQ, it’s found that environmental factors play a much larger role than any biological indicators do,” Cho said.

When grades or achievements become the sole focus, the need for true understanding is stripped away, Cho added. Over time, this can weaken both education and practical knowledge.

Psychoanalysis invites people into a broader community of knowledge and challenges academia to use curiosity and persistence as its true measures of genius. Making genius more egalitarian by reshaping learning environments, he argues, would not eliminate excellence but uplift everyone.

Cho’s scholarship also extends into politics and theology. He is co-editor of the forthcoming book, Political Theology and Its Discontents, with colleague Boštjan Nedoh, a research associate (PhD) at the Institute of Philosophy, which brings together leading voices to explore how psychoanalysis can open new ways of thinking about authority, law, and ideology. He is also editing a special issue of the journal Psychoanalysis, Culture, and Society and working on a self-authored book, Political Theology of the Two: Monotheism After Freud.

Through this work, Cho continues to demonstrate how psychoanalysis can offer more inclusive insights into education, creativity, and the cultural challenges of today.

Megan Chawansky Explores the Power of Sports in Post-Conflict Communities

Associate Professor Megan Chawansky, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, grew up surrounded by sports. Her father was a coach and physical education teacher, and athletics became a central part of her identity.

For years, she thought she would play sports as long as she could or coach at the college level. But she began to feel pulled in another direction. “I got to the point that, while it is great to help elite athletes become better and push themselves, I just kind of started falling out of love with that,” Chawansky said. “I was more interested in the other experiences I was having; I would look back and think about the people I met through my teams or the places I got to travel.”

Her interests led her to research and become involved with programs utilizing sport for peace and conflict resolution. “It felt more like my calling to help with those kinds of programs versus helping an athlete to jump higher,” Chawansky said.

Her family history deepened this interest. Chawansky’s father immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, and his stories of physical activity in displaced persons camps after World War II shaped her perspective.

“I was waiting for these horrible family memories to come through, but he talked about skiing and some of the sports stuff he did. That stuck out to me when I became interested in where I came from and what my family history was all about. What keeps people going in times of war? What gives them hope when everything is uncertain? I think sports and physical activity gave their lives some meaning,” Chawansky said.

Now Chawansky has earned a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship to travel to Kosovo in fall 2025 to study how sport can be used in post-war communities. Her original plan was to conduct research in Ukraine, but the opportunity in Kosovo allows her to explore related questions in a post-war environment.

“When I saw this direct commitment to translate findings to Ukraine and make partnerships with Ukrainian universities, I think it is the closest I can be to helping Ukraine without being there. The people of Kosovo have their own struggles, their own legacy of conflict, so I think there are things that can translate and can be applied in Ukraine,” Chawansky said.

Her research will focus on women and girls.

“They have always been my focal point just because I think sport is still very gendered and we still have a lot of work to do to understand women’s experiences. There is something about the conflict in Kosovo that has been gendered as well. How do you regain strength when you have been through something like this? For a lot of people, physical activity, sport, and exercise can be a way to feel stronger physically and then mentally, as well,” Chawansky said.

Chawansky plans to bring her experiences back to Otterbein through classes, presentations, and student engagement.

“I am excited to represent Otterbein in Kosovo. I hope people feel like their story and what they are doing is really important. And for my students, I hope they become curious about the sporting world. A lot of times we can be U.S.-focused in sports, but there is a lot of other stuff going on out there,” Chawansky said.

Andrew Calinger-Yoak Develops Non-Lethal Rabies Test to Save Bats

Over 25,000 bats are euthanized every year in the U.S. to test for rabies. This testing is incredibly important as once symptoms appear, the disease is invariably fatal. Currently, the only accurate detection is done through decapitation and brain tissue analysis. With bats being one of the main carriers, testing is necessary, but it comes at a severe cost to the ecosystem.

But now, one of Otterbein’s very own faculty members, Andrew Calinger-Yoak, is making strides in changing the game with the help of students, rehab centers, and bat lovers everywhere. Their research goal is to build ARID (Acoustic Rabies Identification), a non-invasive screening method that uses the unique sounds of bats to detect the virus without killing the animal.

“Our project hopes to reduce (the number of bats euthanized for rabies testing) by producing a pre-mortem screening tool using audio recordings of both rabid and non-rabid bats in partnership with the Ohio Wildlife Center and approximately 20 wildlife rehab organizations around the U.S.,” said Calinger-Yoak, director of Otterbein’s Zoo and Conservation Science Program.

Silver Haired Bat

Red Bat

Big Brown Bat

How it Works

Bats communicate in frequencies above human hearing, with special sounds for echolocation and communication. Because the rabies virus changes the physiology of the brain’s control on throat muscles, changes to calls could be a possible signal of infection, according to Calinger-Yoak.

Using a small, affordable microphone called an Audio Moth, researchers and rehab experts can record just a snippet of audio from each bat. These sounds are paired up with rabies test results from local labs or Chloe Goodwin, DMV, Calinger-Yoak’s research partner at the University of Georgia, to confirm infection status. Machine learning models can use this database of bat calls to identify the potential signature sounds of infected bats.

Rehab centers across the U.S. and Canada have participated in this project, helping to create this bat language database and a potential new testing method.

The Impact

Their unfortunate link to rabies gives them a negative reputation, but bats play an important role in the ecosystem. They control insect populations, help pollinate plants, and are a critical species in the Ohio environment, according to Calinger-Yoak.

For wildlife centers, a non-lethal test would potentially save many animals and protect humans and bats at the same time, in the safest and most humane way possible.

“This would give a tool to wildlife rehabbers to make better decisions about quarantine and non-invasively investigate rabies epidemiology in the field,” Calinger-Yoak said.

Get Involved/ Learn More

With a growing number of rehab centers participating, feel free to get involved with this research. Recordings can be submitted using this form.

If you would like to ask questions or get involved with this project, email yoak1@otterbein.edu.

On the Fast Track: Innovation Fund Projects Fast Track Enrollment

In 2023, Otterbein University announced a new approach to growing enrollment and revenue: investing $1 million of strategic funds approved by the Board of Trustees in projects conceptualized, planned, and executed by members of the Otterbein community.

Among the programs chosen for Fast Track funding by the Otterbein Cabinet were recruiters for the University’s equine riding teams and Department of Nursing, as well as new teams competing in women’s wrestling and Esports.

Just two years later, the numbers and milestones set by these projects is “creating a buzz across campus,” according to Mark A. Moffitt, assistant vice president for enrollment strategy and marketing and director of admission.

As of fall 2025, the Office of Admission had 650 enrolled first-year students — a 12% jump from the first-year class of fall 2024.

The Department of Nursing was responsible for 102 enrollment deposits, up 64.5% from fall 2023. Additionally, while riders on the University’s competitive equine teams need not be majors in the Department of Equine Science, that department’s 41 confirmed enrollees for fall 2025 was nearly triple the number it had two years ago.

Meanwhile, Otterbein’s first 10 women wrestlers recorded an impressive inaugural season. Olivia Shore ’26 won the national championship in the 103-pound wrestling class, with three other Cardinals qualifying for the national tournament alongside her.

Esports put together impressive playoff runs in the video games Overwatch 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, with 39 players on its roster.

“The other Innovation Fund recruiter positions have brought in students across all majors,” Moffitt said. “It’s supporting all academic areas while supporting new areas of growth as well.”

Fast Track proposals must include detailed information, from alignment with Otterbein’s mission to estimated revenue and expenses for each of the first five years. Those making proposals must attend orientation sessions and present their work to advisory and governance groups before final approval is granted. Some proposals do not receive approval and, even with this rigorous process, not all selected proposals have enjoyed the same success.

The additional $1 million in Fast Track funding originally approved by the board will be fully invested within the next year. Of the seven Fast Track programs funded, one was discontinued, three moved to the operating budget, and three are currently under evaluation.

The next Fast Track Innovation Fund recipients will be selected in spring 2026, with approximately $150,000 available for the chosen proposals.

“It takes a village,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Wendy Sherman Heckler. “The Fast Track Innovation Fund projects are allowing us to reach new student audiences … They round us out and make us better able to reach into different student populations than we had before and serve them better.”

Rolling Green Fund Recycles Sustainability Donations

Alan Goff ’75 and Coral Harris H’23 know that sustainability isn’t the most glamorous cause people target with their donations, but that’s exactly why they decided green initiatives on campus deserved their support.

In 2016, they established the Otterbein University Rolling Green Fund to support environmental sustainability efforts that not only reduce the University’s climate footprint but also save money. These savings then get “recycled” back into the fund for use on other projects. Goff and Harris provided the lead gift of $100,000, with other donors stepping in to bolster the fund.

“There are a lot of problems with the whole climate issue,” Harris said. “But you can do things on a small scale, and the more you do it, the more benefit you get.”

A recent project funded by the Rolling Green Fund was an upgrade of lighting in Cowan Hall. In May, 95-watt light bulbs throughout the building were replaced with smart 5-watt LED lights. Additionally, a submeter was installed, allowing the University to monitor electricity usage.

According to Executive Director of Facilities and Planning Tim Priest, the total energy cost of the new lights over their first three months of usage was just $90; the previous lights would have run up a bill of more than $1,500 over the same time span.

“The Theatre program is really important at Otterbein, so when Tim Priest said (Cowan Hall lighting) would be a great thing to fund, we agreed,” Harris said. “When we were at the theatre recently, I was talking with one of the people who work there, and they were just so pleased to have the upgrades. It was nice to hear that.”

To fund either of these initiatives, contact Executive Director of Development Kathleen Bonte at 614-823-2707 or kbonte@otterbein.edu.

Committed to Career and Community

Alumni often say they found their career path thanks to the mentorship of a favorite professor at Otterbein. Others share stories of finding their friends for life in their residence hall, at orientation, or in class. That’s because Otterbein has always been committed to preparing students for their future careers and creating a community where every student belongs. Here are some of the latest ways Otterbein is providing both mentorship and a sense of belonging to today’s students.

The University recently launched its new Otterbein READY career preparation curriculum through which every student will learn how to network, complete at least one immersive experience, participate in mock interviews, receive mentoring, have a career plan they develop, and more before they graduate. This fall, Otterbein hosted its first READY Day, a new, innovative, annual professional development conference with intentionally planned programming and opportunities personalized for each year of study. These are just a few of the ways Otterbein is preparing students for successful careers after graduation.

What did it take to host READY Day?

• More than 150 alumni were presenters, panelists, networkers, and volunteers

• More than 100 businesses, community partners and graduate schools participated

• 2,300 students attended 163 sessions

• 20 faculty and staff served on the Planning Committee

• 200 staff volunteered to work the event

• The generous support of donors and sponsors*

*To see the full list, go to www.otterbein.edu/READY

Through Otterbein’s READY Program, every student will:

• Graduate with at least one immersive experience.

• Have advisors and mentors help them design professional goals.

• Map their future success with a career plan they build.

• Benefit from meaningful opportunities that include self-discovery, preparation for action and transition, and READY Day.

What it means to be Otterbein READY:

• Average salary of the Class of 2024: $57,870
• 93% of the Class of 2024 were employed, in graduate school, or serving in the military or volunteer service within six months of graduation.

Educating the “whole student” at Otterbein includes encouraging every student to be their most authentic self. Student life has changed a lot over the decades, and today’s students have the broadest range of opportunities to express themselves than ever before. Check out some of the student-led special interest groups that are currently active below:

Creative Spirit | For actors, artists, or singers seeking creative outlets.

• 11th Hour Theatre Company
• Mainstage Improv Troupe
• Ottertuned
• Thriving Artists

Fun and Games | For students who bond over games of strategy and sportsmanship.

• Fables on Tables (Dungeons and Dragons)
• Gamers Guild
• Otterbein Pickleball Club
• Ping Pong Club

Faith and Spiritual Life | For ALL students who want to develop a meaningful understanding of faith and spirituality.

• Gospel Choir
• Interfaith Group
• Muslim Student Association
• Otterbein Catholic Student Ministry
• Otterbein Christian Fellowship

Celebrating Cultures | For ALL students who want to celebrate, appreciate, respect, and learn more about various cultures and identities.
• Black Student Union
• FreeZone
• HOLA: Heritage of Latin Americans
• Otterbein Asian Community
• Otterbein Multicultural Club

Creative Collaboration

Last academic year, 18 organizations joined with Otterbein’s Pluralism Collaborative, under the direction of Rev. Lucy Kelly, director of faith and spiritual life, on a series of events that brought together students from different affinity groups to cultivate a civil campus climate.

* Otterbein’s CardinalCorps Leaders run 15 student-led service programs including those marked above. The other programs are: America Reads, Bilingual Storytime, BROtime, Connecting Threads, Girls Club, Grandma’s House, Otterbein Animal Coalition, OtterThrift, Promise House, Sports Pals, and TREES.

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025

Black Student Union Fun at Homecoming Parade.

The Otterbein community came together on the lawn of Towers Hall for another memory-filled Homecoming & Family Weekend. Highlights included celebrating the Class of 1975’s Golden 50th Reunion, Alumni Awards, OtterFest, and the annual Homecoming parade and football game. Alumnus Phil Kelly (Wolfe) ’93, of ABC6 WSYX in Columbus, served as the emcee for this year’s OtterFest. All in all, the weekend lived up to the “Come Back to the Nest” spirit — bridging generations, celebrating traditions, and filling campus with Cardinal pride.

Jim Reed ’75 (left) and Glen Horner ’75 (right) proudly display the 1973 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)
basketball co-championship banner in the parade.

L-R: President Emeritus Brent DeVore, Becky Smith ’81, Bob Gatti H’03, and President Emerita Kathy Krendl H’18.

The Marching Band Steps Off.

2025 Homecoming Court Royalty.

2025 Alumni Award Winners.

Class of 1975 Golden 50th Reunion Gathering at the Fisher Barn.

Class of 1976:
Your 50th Reunion will be in 2026!

Click here for more information!

Thank you to the members of the Class of 1975 Golden 50th Reunion Planning Committee, shown as part of this group: Deb Bowsher, Alan Goff, David Fisher, Karl Niederer, Pamela Hill, Sue Tice Cherrington, Jim Reed, and Kim Pryfogle Reed.

To view more photos from the weekend visit our Flickr gallery!

View HCFW 2025 Photos

Powerful Partnership Expands Nursing Excellence to the Nation

A COL WS 105 CoalitionfortheCommonGood OtterbeinUniversity 250818 027667

Be sure to check out the building spectacular in Downtown Columbus at 3rd and Long Streets!

Starting in January 2026, graduate nursing programs originally developed and offered by Otterbein University, recognized for its excellence in nursing education for 45+ years, will be delivered by Antioch University nationwide — in most instances fully online with some select low-residency requirements. The transition of Otterbein’s graduate nursing and health professions programs means Antioch can foster programmatic growth in reaching new communities while Otterbein focuses on its prestigious undergraduate BSN program. This shared vision for excellence and equitable healthcare will prepare nursing professionals to serve patients across the state and country.

Learn more about the CCG’s commitment to nursing excellence and preparing professionals to champion equitable healthcare here. >

Apply for Graduate Nursing programs by Nov. 15, 2025.

Common Book Program Turns 30 Years Old

Mary B. Thomas ’28 (1907-1999) was active as both a student and an alumna of Otterbein, and when she passed, she ensured that her legacy would continue to impact every new student who enters the University.

Thomas founded Otterbein’s Common Book program in 1995 as a shared academic experience for all first-year students — one of the first of its kind in the country. Thanks to her generosity, each summer a Common Book has been distributed to all first-year students free of charge. Faculty and staff also receive a free copy of the book so they may prepare for the upcoming year’s events and have a common reading experience to connect with the new students.

Program organizers encourage all faculty members to use the book in their classes, take part in the year-long programming related to the book, or discuss the book with first-year students in informal ways. The highlight of the experience is a campus visit by the author for the Common Book Convocation and book signing. Additionally, students in Theatre 1000 interpret the Common Book’s issues through a series of playlets each year.

A committee of faculty, staff, and students select from over 50 books each year in an effort to find a significant contemporary work to read the next year. This year’s Common Book author, John Hendrickson, visited campus Oct. 7-8 to discuss his book, Life on Delay.

Learn more here. >

The Power of the Pen

Over the past 30 years, Common Book authors have shared personal moments with students, faculty, and staff at public book signings. Here are a few of those moments from over the years.

Ruth Ozeki (right), author of My Year of Meats, at her 2002 book signing event with students.

Bryan Stevenson (right), author of Just Mercy, greeting a student at the 2017 book signing.

Conor Grennan (left) signing Little Princes for faculty member Denise Shively (right) in 2013.

Simran Jeet Singh (right), author of The Light We Give, at the book signing event held at Courtright Library in 2024.

Otterbein ArtScene: The Best in Arts, Academics, and Entertainment

Otterbein’s national reputation in the arts is well-deserved. From exhibitions in the campus art galleries and Frank Museum of Art to theatre productions and music concerts, Otterbein’s public presentations and performances highlight student and faculty talent, as well as prominent experts, artists, and speakers.

Check out all the upcoming events here! >

Residence Life Staff Recognized as Model Citizens

Director of Residence Life Tracy Benner and the Residence Life staff were honored with Otterbein’s 2025 Model Citizen Award for their work relocating the residents of Mayne Hall, which suffered flood damage due to a water leak on the third floor during winter break in January.

With less than a week before students returned for spring semester, Benner and her staff worked to find alternate housing solutions, including short-term hotel accommodations while on-campus rooms were prepared and off-campus apartments were contracted for some junior and senior students who were given the opportunity to move. With clear communications, and assistance from professional movers and Otterbein staff, the process and accommodations earned the appreciation of the Mayne Hall students and families.