Dear Cardinals,
ONE HUNDRED YEARS of Towers magazine!
100 years of highlighting academic and programmatic innovation.
100 years of student, faculty, staff, and alumni success stories.
100 years reporting on donor generosity, enduring friendships, and initiatives that honor the values this institution was built upon.
And here’s the truth. While we’ve grown and evolved in those 100 years, a lot of what continues to fill the pages of this University magazine is strikingly reminiscent through the years. I take comfort in this. It means we know who we are, we have stayed true to our founders’ principles, and a singular focus as a college of opportunity still binds us together.
And through it all, Towers magazine has been there. Every year. Every issue. Every story. Towers has shared stories of the people who have learned here, those who have invested their resources here, and all who will credit Otterbein as one of the best places to change lives, improve industries, grow knowledge, and strengthen communities.
So while we enjoy this issue as a chance to look back at those common themes along with some fun differences in the magazine’s masthead, campus traditions, and our beloved Cardinal mascot — I want to make sure you also see that our history is driving a bold future forward.
Read about Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil ’71 and her incredible philanthropic promise to expand upon the pledge her father, Ernest Fritsche ’38, Hon. LL.D.’65, first championed. Just as surely as the Fritsches helped build a renovated home for the theatre in 2004-2005, Nevalyn’s promise to Otterbein will advance the performing arts with an endowment designed to enhance the quality, innovation, and future of music, theatre, dance, and design technology opportunities, experiences, and facilities.
In addition to Nevalyn’s transformational gift, we recently received a final gift of incredible generosity from one of Otterbein’s most loyal and philanthropic alumni, Vernon L. Pack ’50. Upon his passing, Vernon’s estate bequeathed $5.2 million to Otterbein — a remarkable gift that will only further distinguish Vernon’s commitment to his alma mater.
You can bleed Cardinal red with pride at the success of Otterbein’s athletic program and our student-athletes this year — four Ohio Athletic Conference Championship teams. And if you didn’t know, Otterbein’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, for the first time in school history, both competed in the same year in the NCAA DIII Tournament, each advancing to the second round of tournament play. We are proud of their success and look forward to the things to come!
President John Comerford is pictured here with Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil ’71 and Floyd Akins, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement. President Comerford first shared the news about Nevalyn’s transformational gift at his annual Holiday Open House this past December acknowledging that her gift will make a “huge difference for all of Otterbein.”
And so much more! I say cheers to 100 years of great storytelling in Towers, and I add my thanks to all of you who provide us with so much good news to share. We all look forward to the stories to come.
With Cardinal pride,
John L. Comerford, Ph.D.