Leaving a Legacy

Alumni and friends who include Otterbein in their estate planning are celebrated through the 1847 Society. Planned gifts are vital to Otterbein’s future. We acknowledge and thank the following who have recently provided for the University:

  • Westerville resident and alumnus Steven Leonhardt MBA ’05 documented an estate bequest, estimated at $75,000, for Otterbein’s scholarship endowment fund. Steve and his wife, Julie, have been donors for more than 15 years contributing annually to the Otterbein Fund. Steve said, “The value of the MBA program at Otterbein and the interaction with peers during the program made this decision easy for me.” Steve works as a senior manager consultant for Sogeti USA.
  • Dr. Lynn Corbin ’75 has established through her estate The Edith Peters Corbin ’48 and Lynn Ann Corbin ’75 Fund for the Department of Music. The fund, estimated at $100,000, will support students with domestic or international touring costs. Lynn’s parents, Bob and Ede, were loyal Otterbein benefactors. This gift serves to honor their memories and their spirit of giving and service. Bob passed away in 2014 and Ede passed away in August 2019. This endowment comes from Lynn’s inheritance and commitment to also give back to the institutions that provided inspiration for her life and career. Lynn retired in 2018 after more than 42 years of teaching, including as a faculty member for several universities. At one time, she also was the music consultant for the Ohio Department of Education. She has been active as a choral director and professional singer in several churches and community choirs, most recently at First United Methodist Church of Madison, Florida, where she and her husband, Rollie Seiple, have lived for the past 15 years.
  • Last fall, Otterbein lost beloved Professor Emerita of Art, Joanne Miller Stichweh ’67. Her award-winning artwork was exhibited locally and regionally. Otterbein alumni from every decade credit Stichweh with inspiring their lives as artists and creators. She generously committed her estate, more than $600,000, to benefit The Frank Museum of Art and the Miller and Fisher Galleries at Otterbein. To honor her life and impact on countless students and fellow faculty and staff members, Otterbein University and the Department of Art and Art History dedicated the Joanne Miller Stichweh ’67 Gallery adjacent to the Miller Art Gallery located at 33 Collegeview Road. A formal dedication ceremony will be held in person once the University is permitted to host in-person events.

Joanne Miller Stichweh ’67

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