Author: Otterbein Editorial Staff

New Alumni Otterbein Connect Dashboard

Otterbein’s new alumni secure online platform is now live, and the Office of Alumni Engagement is excited to share this new resource with you. This fall, the office is sending personalized login credentials via email and postcard based on the contact information we currently have on file. If you do not receive your login information by the end of November, please email connectdashboard@otterbein.edu for assistance.

Through the Otterbein Connect Dashboard, you can:

  • Update your alumni profile, contact information, and communication preferences.
  • Update options include adding a profile photo, LinkedIn and other social media handles, additional members of your household who are also alumni, and your education and employment history.
  • Explore the alumni directory to locate fellow alumni, expand your network, and reconnect with friends through the integrated email system.
  • Submit Class Notes updates for Towers magazine, social media, and other alumni publications.
  • Explore opportunities to give back by volunteering, and nominate fellow alumni for our annual Alumni Awards.
  • Browse and register for upcoming events and manage your registrations.
  • Request official transcripts.

You can also find additional resources, including:

  • Order an Otterbein license plate.
  • Request to host an event on campus.
  • Purchase alumni swag from the bookstore.
  • View obituaries for classmates who have passed away.
  • Get information on alumni discounts and educational opportunities, and much more.

The Otterbein Connect Dashboard puts you in control of your Otterbein information and connections. With easy access to your personal profile, you can access the dashboard whenever it is convenient for you. Keeping your information current helps ensure you receive the latest university news, event invitations, and opportunities to stay engaged with fellow Cardinals. We invite you to discover the new dashboard and take advantage of all it has to offer!

Building the Bridge: ACE Connects Students and Alumni

Julie Russell Summer Reunion Group Picture

L to R: Coordinator of Alumni Engagement Molly Hagan, ACE members Avery Smithberger and Kabir Assi, and Annual Giving Program Coordinator Adam Walker hosted a student interest table on campus this fall.


Student-led and Cardinal-powered, a new organization called Alumni and Campus Engagement (ACE) is building a bridge between current students and Otterbein alumni to create connections, opportunities, and a stronger future for the University.

As ACE continues to grow, the organization is looking to spread its wings through new events, initiatives, and partnerships — including a growing relationship with the Alumni Leadership Council. Together, students and alumni are working to keep the Cardinal community connected, engaged, and full of Cardinal pride.

If you would like to collaborate with ACE, contact: alumniinfo@otterbein.edu.

ACE members Kabir Assi (left) and Avery Smithberger (right) with President John Comerford at the 2026 Celebration of Otterbein event at Homecoming.

Honoring the Impact of Vernon Pack ’50

Honoring the Impact of Vernon Pack ’50

To honor the extraordinary philanthropic legacy and memory of alumnus Vernon Pack ’50, Otterbein University has established the Vernon Pack ’50 Endowed Chair for History and Political Science.

This distinguished faculty position will advance the study of disciplines that help students understand the past, engage thoughtfully with the present, and shape the future.

A former social studies teacher, Pack was deeply committed to preserving history and sharing its lessons with future generations. His enduring legacy will continue through the Pack Lecture, Pack Visiting Scholar Program, Vernon L. Pack Fellowship Program, and now the endowed chair, creating lasting opportunities for academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, and civic engagement. Together, these initiatives will help ensure that Otterbein graduates leave the university as informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens, carrying forward the values that mattered so deeply to Vernon Pack.

vernon pack '50

Philanthropy in Action – Fall 2026

Our sincere gratitude to these alumni and friends who have recently made generous gifts to Otterbein:

Kathy Butler ’72 recently documented a planned gift to support the Otterbein general endowment fund. Butler serves as the president of the Westerville Otterbein Women’s Club. During her time as a student, she was on the volleyball, softball, and basketball teams and was a member of Tau Delta sorority and the Women’s Athletic Association.

Larry P. Buttermore ’65 has documented a $70,000 planned gift to Otterbein’s general endowment. By directing his future gift to the endowment, Buttermore hopes to give University leaders the ability to invest where support will be most meaningful — helping students, advancing opportunities, and preserving the vibrant Otterbein community that has remained important to him throughout his life.

Maria S Calderone, DVM, professor emerita and founding chair of the Department of Equine Science, has established the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science: Paddock and Outdoor Care Endowment. This endowment will provide care, maintenance, and long-term sustainability of the paddocks and outdoor equine wellness spaces. Funds may be used for spaces and infrastructure that promote and ensure the safety, comfort, care, and wellbeing of horses, including turnout fields, pastures, cross country field, and outdoor arena. Calderone’s visionary leadership built the foundation of the department, and her support ensures that future generations of Otterbein equines will continue to thrive.

Board of Trustees member Jonathan Hargis ’79 and his wife, Gretchen Freeman Hargis ’77, have made an additional $120,000 gift to the Campus Center Gift Fund. Their investment will support the continued transformation of the first floor of the Campus Center, creating welcoming, student-centered spaces where Cardinals can gather, build community, dine, study, and connect beyond the classroom.

Kathleen Fernandez Hillibish ’71 donated $50,020 to support the Friends of the Courtright Memorial Library Fund and the Otterbein Archives. A history major whose professional life has been devoted to historic preservation and museum work, Hillibish understands the vital role libraries and archives play in connecting people to the history and stories that shape communities. Her gift will advance the University Archives’ compact shelving project, expanding the capacity to preserve, organize, and make accessible the records, artifacts, and voices that document Otterbein’s enduring history.

Donna Kerr H’71 recently donated to multiple funds, including the Thomas J. Kerr IV Scholarship (named for her late husband Thomas J. Kerr IV H’71, who served as the 18th president of Otterbein from 1971 to 1984), and the Donna L. Kerr Scholarship, expanding vital scholarship support for students. She also supported the Friends of the Library Fund, helping sustain library resources and programming that enrich the Otterbein learning experience, as well as the Otterbein “O” Club.

Dr. Randy R. Miller ’76 and Cinda L. Miller ’77 have made a transformative gift of $200,000 to establish the Dr. Randy R. Miller ’76 and Cinda L. Miller ’77 Endowed Scholarship. This fund supports undergraduate students dedicated to improving healthcare access and advocacy for underserved populations. Preference is given to students pursuing advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, or optometry, with secondary preference for nursing students. Recipients must support Otterbein’s diversity goals through their experience with or commitment to underprivileged communities.

Rohini Mulchandani’s most recent gift of $50,000 renews her support of the Mulchandani Assistance Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Students. Her generosity will help immigrant and refugee students overcome financial barriers by providing vital assistance with oncampus living expenses, helping them fully participate in student life.

The life and legacy of Vernon Pack ’50 will be celebrated through the creation of the Vernon Pack ’50 Endowed Chair for History and Political Science, in honor of Pack’s recent $5.2 million bequest to Otterbein. By providing permanent support for this distinguished faculty role, the Vernon Pack ’50 Endowed Chair will strengthen these academic programs, ensuring that future students are inspired to ask important questions, examine diverse perspectives, and contribute responsibly to their communities. Pack earned a history degree at Otterbein and went on to become a social studies teacher in the Columbus Public Schools. In addition to the endowed chair, Pack ’50 is well-known for creating the Vernon L. Pack ’50 Distinguished Lecture and Scholar-in-Residence program in 2002.

Trustee emerita Peggy Miller Ruhlin ’79 has made a $225,000 commitment to establish the Ruhlin Student Fund for Financial Literacy, advancing her belief that every student should graduate with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. The fund will help expand practical financial literacy learning for students, equipping them to navigate budgeting, saving, investing, debt, and other real-world financial choices with greater independence and purpose. Ruhlin’s commitment reflects both her distinguished career in wealth management and her deep dedication to creating opportunities for the next generation of Otterbein graduates.

Susan and Edward Solar from New Hampshire have made a generous commitment to establish the Jennifer Solar Whalen Memorial Music Scholarship, honoring the memory of their daughter, Jennifer, who was a music major and 1994 Otterbein graduate. Their gift will create a lasting source of support for students majoring or minoring in music, with a preference for brass instrumentation, helping future generations pursue an Otterbein education and realize their ambitions. Through this meaningful investment, the Solars have turned remembrance into opportunity — ensuring that Jennifer’s legacy will live on in the achievements, passions, and potential of the scholarship recipients whose lives will be changed by her name.

The Westerville Otterbein Women’s Club reaffirmed its longstanding dedication to Otterbein through seven gifts totaling $110,000. These investments will strengthen student access, opportunity, and the University’s ability to respond to emerging needs by supporting the Westerville Otterbein Women’s Club Service Scholarship, the Otterbein READY Program and READY Day, the Donna L. Kerr Scholarship, and the WOWC Diamond Jubilee Grant fund.

Grants, Corporate, and Foundation Support

Grants help to provide essential funding for new programs, research, and other areas that directly impact our students. Since the last issue of Towers, Otterbein has received eleven grants totaling $375,641. Highlights include:

Ohio Department Of Higher Education

Ohio Department of Higher Education

Campus Security Support

AMOUNT: $199,000

This grant will support a structured, equitable, and student-driven internal grant program available to Otterbein’s 75 official student organizations. Awarded funds will enhance security measures and increase student safety by funding student-identified needs.

Ohio Art Council

Ohio Arts Council

Frank Museum General Operating, Sustainability Grant for Music Department Public Performances

AMOUNT: $35,070

This grant will support operations of the Frank Museum of Art and public performances of Otterbein’s Department of Music.

Ohio Department Of Higher Education

Council of Independent Colleges

NetVUE Vocation Across Campus Grant

AMOUNT: $71,845

This grant will support Otterbein’s efforts to help students develop more effective links between developing a philosophy of life and preparing for a career; to include more faculty and students in the work of vocational exploration and discernment; and to build connections with community partners, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations.

Ohio Department Of Higher Education

Sunrise Rotary and National Veterans Leadership Foundation (NVLF)

New Military-Connected Student Lounge

AMOUNT: $10,162

Otterbein received a youth impact grant of $5,162 from the Sunrise Rotary and a $5,000 Ohio Advancement Award through the National Veterans Leadership Foundation (NVLF) to support the creation of a dedicated lounge on campus for military-connected students. Military-connected students frequently navigate academic demands alongside family responsibilities, employment, and complex benefits systems. These demands can create barriers to persistence, connection, and timely degree completion. When completed, this lounge will address these challenges by providing a stable, purpose-built environment that supports learning, belonging, and leadership development for undergraduate students living and studying in the Westerville community. This investment will strengthen academic success, leadership, and service, delivering immediate student support and lasting benefits for Otterbein’s military-connected students.

WITH OUR GRATITUDE Fiscal Year 2026: Reaching Historic Milestones in Generosity

Giving and fund information reflect activity from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

FISCAL YEAR 2026 GIVING TOTALS

million

Total Commitments Pledged

million

Total Cash
Donated

$572,063
Total Amount to the Otterbein Fund
2,601 Total Gifts in FY26

Commitments measure: Fundraising success, donor intent, and future revenue pipeline.

Cash measures: Immediate resources available to support operations and programs and actual funds received, which may include payments on pledges made in prior fiscal years.

DONOR LOYALTY

LOYAL DONORS COUNT
300+ Donor Households
HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING OTTERBEIN FOR
25+ YEARS

$1,000+ annually

235
Donor Households

$5,000+ annually

152
Donor Households

2,713 Total Number of Donors

5,390 Total Number of Gifts

Total Number of Planned Gifts Committed: 13

SENIOR CLASS GIFT, UNDERCLASS, AND PARENT GIVING

83 members of the CLASS OF 2026 donated to the senior class gift.
an additional 80 first-year through junior class members also donated in FY26!

184 Current Parents Donated $69,100

121 Former Parents Donated $362,000.

24 NEW ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Todd Family Endowed Scholarship

Sean T. and Kellyn E. Donnelly Veteran Endowment

Sean T. and Kellyn E. Donnelly Otterbein Ready Endowment

Dr. Shelley Payne Be a Shelley HSS Endowment

Adam Rothermel MD ’06 Family Endowed Fund

Rev. John Edgar and Sue Wolfe Scholarship Endowment

Anna Lou Turner Lorton ’68 Endowment

Larry ’69 and Bernadette Green Endowed Scholarship

Karin Yaffe Stump ’80 Endowed Scholarship

Class of 1975 Promise House Endowment

Malick Family Internship Endowment

Vernon Pack Endowed Chair for History and Political Science

Joyce A. Miller Memorial Music Scholarship Fund

Mac and Sarah McDaniel Endowed Scholarship

Jennifer Solar Whalen Endowed Scholarship

Glowski Endowed Fund for Special Projects

Randy and Cinda Miller Endowed Scholarship

Robert W. Royer ’60 Endowed Scholarship

OhioHealth Wellness Endowment

Frank R Milligan ’62 and Sharon G Milligan ’65 Teacher Education Endowed Scholarship

Class of 1976 Ready Endowment

Austin E. Knowlton Center Paddock and Outdoor Care Endowment

Jason Modrey ’94 Endowed Scholarship

Shaquille Alexander ’18 Endowed Scholarship

TOTAL OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT VALUE
$148.8 million

THANK YOU, DONORS, FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Honoring His Roots, Investing in Students

Julie Russell Summer Reunion Group Picture

“Life is often challenging, but with the right resources, a bit of curiosity, and steadfast determination, young people in Whitehall can achieve more than they ever imagined possible.”

– Shaquille Alexander ’18

Shaquille Alexander ’18 has created a scholarship for Whitehall-Yearling High School graduates who plan to attend Otterbein and study in the Business, Accounting, and Economics Department (BAE). Alexander wanted to establish the Shaquille Alexander ’18 Endowed Scholarship because he understands how life can be difficult without the proper resources, and this was his way of giving back to the community.

Alexander graduated from WhitehallYearling High School in 2014 and graduated cum laude from Otterbein in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration. He was appointed the Whitehall city treasurer in 2022 and now serves as the city auditor. Alexander was named as one of Otterbein’s Rising Star Alumni Award honorees this year.

Greetings from Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement – Fall 2026

Floyd Akins, Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Thank you to our alumni, faculty, staff, parents, corporate and foundation partners, and all donors who help make a difference by providing philanthropic support to Otterbein University. Through your partnership and support, we experienced a record year of philanthropy in fiscal year 2026, with more than $16.7 million in donor generosity. This is the highest amount raised in any given fiscal year in the history of Otterbein University!

The phrase “It takes a village” certainly resonated this past year. However, in true Otterbein fashion, I might go a step further and say it took a “quiet, peaceful village” to achieve this success. Yet, we are far from done in our efforts to change the lives of our Otterbein students. Philanthropy is the hallmark of all private institutions, and the stewardship of Otterbein is a shared responsibility of our collective community.

The strength of a university is built over generations by those who choose to care, champion, and invest in its future. Stewarding Otterbein is about preserving what matters most while creating new possibilities for those who follow. The importance of your philanthropic support becomes part of a legacy that will impact students for years to come. Many can point to a professor, mentor, scholarship, team, or experience that changed your life. Simply put, stewardship is gratitude put into action.

In the coming months, we hope more alumni will choose to engage with Otterbein through philanthropy, helping us increase alumni giving participation beyond the current rate of 5% among our more than 29,000 alumni. During your time here, someone supported Otterbein which made your experience possible, now it’s your turn to pay it forward and help our current and future students.

You will begin to hear about our preparation for an upcoming comprehensive campaign to raise the aspirational endeavors of Otterbein’s mission. We will look to all the members of our beloved Otterbein community to join us in stewarding our “quiet, peaceful village” to the highest level obtainable. In the meantime, we have much to celebrate as we honor all the donors who are making a huge difference for Otterbein!

Thank you again for your ongoing support, and we hope to see you on campus soon.

Floyd Akins
Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
akins1@otterbein.edu
614-823-1400

Meet Our Newest Team Member

Lindsey Gale has joined the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement as senior director, philanthropy. For nearly three decades, she has helped donors fulfill their philanthropic wishes through her work with the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, The Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Gale is excited to connect with Otterbein alumni and friends in Ohio, the Midwest, and the Southwest in the near future.

Investing in Students, Elevating Futures

The Otterbein students and recent graduates featured in this issue of Towers are benefiting from donors’ generosity through these scholarships and awards:

Vincent Bostick ’26

  • Thelma Zellner Memorial Choral Music Endowed Award
  • Robert Keelor ’55 Endowed Scholarship

Joshua Goshay ’27

  • Helen and Emerson Bragg Scholarship
  • Elizabeth D. Sergeant ’53 Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Julianna Grubich ’26

  • Maxine French Loomis Scholarship
  • Jean A. Rocks Mizia Endowed Scholarship

Hanan Jama ’26

  • Fred J. and Ann P. Kull Scholarship
  • Daniel C. Thompson Scholarship

Mae Meldrum ’26

  • LaVelle Rosselot Scholarship
  • Carl and Helen DeVore Memorial Humanitarian Award

Kyle Miller ’26

  • Pete Sanderson Computer Science Endowed Scholarship
  • Roger Tremaine Memorial Award
  • Maurice and Rose Rapkin Computer Science Endowed Award
  • Dr. Michael S. Bridgman Mathematical Enhancement Award

A Special Thank You to the Class of 1976

Julie Russell Summer Reunion Group Picture

Thank you to the members of the Class of 1976 Golden 50th Reunion Planning Committee, shown as part of this group: Randy Adams, Elaine Clarke Comery, Chuck Erickson, Louann Austen Grossett, Lizette Paul Peter, Carol Ventresca

As the Class of 1976 continues to commemorate its 50th Golden Reunion this year, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members of the class who have donated to the Class of 1976 Legacy Gift, which is supporting Otterbein’s new READY Program and immersive experiences for our students.

It’s not too late to contribute to the legacy gift, if you haven’t already. Gifts will be accepted until Dec. 31 by visiting www.otterbein.edu/1976 and clicking on the link for “Class of 1976 Legacy Gift,” which shares more information about the READY Program and how to be a part of this meaningful class legacy.

For more information, contact Kathleen Bonte, 614-823-2707 or kbotne@otterbein.edu.

 

Rike Center Renovations for a New Generation

Julie Russell Summer Reunion Group Picture

After receiving a world-class new floor in 2025, the Rike Center updates have continued in recent months with new, automatic Cardinalred bleachers installed this past spring, as well as a renovation of the weight room in summer 2026.

Bleachers

The generosity of several donors over the past few years have made the renovations possible, with leadership-level gifts coming from the Vida S. Clements Foundation, “O” Club Foundation, Roush Family Foundation, Bud Yoest ’53, Dave ’68 and Cynda Schuler ’70 Widder, and Deb Scott Thresher ’77 and her late husband, Mark Thresher ’78, who served on the Board of Trustees for 21 years and was chairman for eight of those years.

Friends of the Library Celebrates 30 Years

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Otterbein’s Friends of the Courtright Memorial Library!

Established in 1996, the organization is comprised of more than 1,400 alumni, faculty, staff, and parents. Special thanks to the Friends of the Library for three decades of support. To join this group of dedicated supporters, check out the information below.

More information about the Friends, including a link to the online membership portal, can be found at otterbein.libguides.com/friends.

library

Academic Excellence – Fall 2026

Otterbein’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter received the 2026 Maintaining the Flame Award, the annual award for the organization’s most outstanding chapters. Otterbein was one of six universities to receive the honor. Alpha Lambda Delta has more than 400 chapters nationally.

Otterbein has once again been approved as a United Methodist affiliated higher education institution by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church following its 10-year comprehensive review. The Senate shared its “deep appreciation for the strong and historic role Otterbein University has played and continues to play in the life of The United Methodist Church and the larger community….”

Washington Monthly has recognized Otterbein University for its contributions to the public good in its 2026 College Guide and Rankings. Among 1,504 peers nationwide, Otterbein is ranked in the top 7% in the service category and in the top one-third overall. Among 397 peers in the Midwest, Otterbein is ranked in the top 5% in the service category and top quarter overall.

The rankings can be viewed at www.washingtonmonthly.com/2026-college-guide/.

In the 2026-2027 U.S News Best Colleges rankings, Otterbein is ranked second for Undergraduate Teaching Programs and in the top 12% overall among 171 peers in the Regional Universities – Midwest category. It is ranked one of the top four regional universities in Ohio. Additionally, Otterbein was recognized as a Best Value School, Top Private School, and Top Performer on Social Mobility.

The entire survey can be viewed at www.usnews.com/best-colleges.

Mortar Board Vertical FL Color

Two years after reactivating, Otterbein’s Mortar Board chapter earned four national honors, including the 2026 Freeman and Fox Most Improved Chapter Award. Otterbein also received the Gold Torch Award, celebrating chapters that exemplified the core values of excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service; the Outstanding Achievement Award for Campus Visibility; and advisor Bill Fox, vice president for student affairs, received the Excellence in Advising Award. Mortar Board has 236 chapters nationwide.

Mortar Board student members at the 2026 Mortar Board National Conference.

Mortar Board student members at the 2026 Mortar Board National Conference.

Pictured left to right: Bill Fox, vice president for student affairs and Mortar Board Advisor, Raegan Dudzinski, vice president, Stephanie Deibel, president.

Pictured left to right: Bill Fox, vice president for student affairs and Mortar Board Advisor, Raegan Dudzinski, vice president, Stephanie Deibel, president.