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.