Donna Kerr H’71 contributed $18,000 to support students receiving the Thomas J. Kerr IV Scholarship. Alumni, friends, and family established this scholarship in 1984 in honor of Kerr’s service as the 18th president of Otterbein. Donna has worked tirelessly in support of the University and its students in her husband’s memory. The residents of Kerr Hall look forward to every visit and care package from the benefactor of their hall’s namesake
Susan Palmer Cordle ’70 and Christopher T. Cordle ’69, respectively an educator and a scientist, have completed a pledge to support Cardinals Care and Otterbein Fund Scholars. Removing barriers for students is a priority for the Cordles, and their leadership in this area is inspiring.
The Roush Family Foundation donated $50,000 to support the Campus Center renovation project. The Roush Family Foundation is an early supporter of the effort, with gifts totaling $250,000 toward the complete renovation of the Campus Center that will impact current and future staff, students, faculty, and alumni.
The Westerville Otterbein Women’s Club (WOWC) once again donated the annual revenue from the Otterbein Thrift Shop to support WOWC Scholarships. This year, $65,000 was raised by the volunteer-run, volunteer-led campus landmark. The shop at 177 W. Park St. is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Otterbein Psychology Professor Noam Shpancer and Mia Lewis supported the Kraft Lewis Sphancer Fun(d) for Creative Enjoyment and a new psychology endowment named the Mia Lewis and Noam Shpancer Endowed Scholarship for Psychology. The new scholarship is for first-generation American students who demonstrate financial need. The Kraft Lewis Sphancer Fun(d) for Creative Enjoyment is an innovative approach to reward associate professors and enhance faculty teaching and was created in collaboration with Psychology Professor Emeritus Robert Kraft.
Otterbein Trustee Mindy S. Phinney ’85 gifted $180,000 to support the Campus Center and the Otterbein Fund. This donation will positively impact students for generations.
Otterbein Psychology Professor Emeritus Robert Kraft made a contribution to help found the Kraft Lewis Sphancer Fun(d) for Creative Enjoyment. The retired Otterbein professor wishes to fund associate professors to pursue enriching and personally meaningful experiences that will inform their teaching.
Otterbein Trustee Emeritus Mark R. Thresher ’78, P’05 and Deborah Scott Thresher ’77, P’05 gifted $190,000 to benefit the Campus Center, the Deborah and Mark Thresher Family Scholarship, and replacement of the floor and bleachers in the Rike Center. This generosity is fueling the implementation of Otterbein’s priorities to benefit our entire campus.
The Marcia A. Baer Trust gave $100,000 to equally support the Department of Health and Sports Sciences (HSS) and HSS scholarships.
William W. Davis and Ellen Gagne supported the Dr. William and Mary Davis H’01 Memorial Scholarship with a gift of $10,000. The Davises raised their family in Westerville and were devoted Otterbein supporters who traveled with the Otterbein basketball team to cheer them on at the NCAA Division III Championship game in 2002.
Dr. Adam Rothermel, M.D. ’06 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and played on the men’s soccer team at Otterbein. This year he and his wife, Kyleen, donated $12,000 to support the team that Adam once played for, fitting the 2024 men’s soccer team with new athletic apparel. They also made gifts to the women’s soccer team and Department of Biology and Earth Science.
Katelyn Tilley Willyerd ’05 and Scott D. Willyerd ’05 gave $10,000 to support the Otterbein Fund.
Otterbein Trustee Emeritus William L. Evans ’56 and Sonya Stauffer Evans ’56, loyal donors, supported the Class of 1956 Scholarship Fund and the Department of Theatre and Dance with gifts totaling more than $30,000.
Elmer W. “Bud” Yoest ’53, P’77, P’80 gifted $30,500 to support the Otterbein Fund, new bleachers at the Rike Center, the University Archives, and the Yoest Endowed Award.
Carolyn Swartz Royer ’60, P’85, P’88 established the Carolyn Swartz Royer ’60 Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics.
Former Otterbein Trustee and Chair Emeritus Cheryl Herbert honored Otterbein initiatives with a gift of $12,000 to support the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program and the Academic Affairs program as a whole.
Rohini Desai Mulchandani, a graduate of The Ohio State University and resident of Dublin, OH, has established a new Assistance Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Students with a gift of $50,000. Her generosity will support immigrants and refugees who choose to attend Otterbein.
Evelyn Widner ’49 bequeathed $1,297,598 to Otterbein after a lifetime of supporting the Otterbein Fund annually. She enjoyed visiting and walking on campus throughout her life, but she most enjoyed her time as a student and the lifelong friendships she made at Otterbein
Otterbein received a donation of over $15,000 from Robert E. Woodruff ’67 to support the Campus Center renovation project, the Otterbein Fund, and the Library Belonging Endowment.
YOUR GIVING MAKES AN IMPACT
FISCAL YEAR 2024 GIVING TOTALS DONOR LOYALTY
million
Total Commitments Pledged
million
Total Cash
Donated
$834,024
Otterbein Fund
(Unrestricted Fund)
There were 6,622 gifts last year and more than half of the year’s gifts were designated for the Otterbein Fund!
FISCAL YEAR 2024 GIVING TOTALS DONOR LOYALTY
$1,000+ annually
448
Donor Households
$5,000+ annually
153
Donor Households
TOTAL YEARS SUPPORTING OTTERBEIN
OFFICE OF ANNUAL GIVING Led by the Office of Annual Giving, a new effort was created to promote philanthropy education and deepen the culture of philanthropy among the members of the 2024 senior class. The program culminated in an event on campus hosted by an exemplary donor, Marsha Rice Scanlin ’74.
73 members of the Class of 2024 donated to the senior class gift,
a 62% increase over the donor participation count for the Class of 2023.
Current Otterbein parents donated an impressive
$25,490 to the University in fiscal year 2024.
ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS
4,000
alumni, donors, families, and friends attended
48 events hosted by (or in collaboration with) the Office of Engagement in fiscal year 2024.
247 Alumni and Friends volunteered their time in service to support Otterbein via alumni councils, boards, and networks, and through the Otterbein READY program, Admission office events, and in-classroom experiences.
200+ members
Otterbein’s Lifelong Learning Community exceeded 200 members in Spring 2024, its highest membership since the start of the program.
OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY ASSETS
$141,450,975
12 NEW ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Jerry Green Memorial Scholarship Fund
William D. Squires Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Michael S. Bridgman Mathematical Science Enhancement Fund
Robert F. ’49 and Evelyn Bender ’51 Vance Endowed Scholarship in Science and Education
Anonymous Endowed Scholarship for Students in Psychology
Cardinal Tribute Scholarship
Theresa A. Petch ’51 Endowed Scholarship
Round Robin Endowed Scholarship
(Gerald ’49 and Miriam Wetzel ’51 Ridinger)
Carolyn Swartz Royer ’60 Endowed Scholarship
Weiler Family Fund for Student Success
Dr. Kim Fischer Memorial Endowed Fund
Belonging Endowment Fund
According to data in Money magazine,
Otterbein is the 2nd Most Affordable private university,
and 7th when you include public universities, in Ohio.
Money “The Best Colleges in America” 2024 | List by The Columbus Dispatch, June 2024
THANK YOU DONORS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE!
Grants, Corporate, and Foundation Support
Grants help to provide essential funding for new programs, research, and other areas that directly impact our students. Our faculty and staff have recently been awarded grants from several organizations, including those listed here.
Interfaith America
Advancing Pluralism Grant
AMOUNT: $15,000
The Interfaith America Advancing Campus Pluralism comprehensive strategic grant provides funding for pluralism activities on campus and provides an opportunity for training and to join a national movement and conversation on the importance of promoting collaboration on campus and ways to bridge divides of political, ideological, and religious beliefs. This project will further Otterbein’s current commitment to inclusivity by connecting the different efforts and groups on campus that focus on understanding and celebrating community members’ different political, cultural, social, and religious beliefs. This project will also work to include students who are not already involved in or aware of campus activities that teach the importance of understanding and appreciating the differences that can connect, instead of dividing, the community.
Ohio Arts Council
FY25 Music Sustainability Operating Support for Public Programming
AMOUNT: : $35,025
This grant supports the operating costs of music events for the public and the campus community, giving Otterbein’s Music Department the opportunity to bring in artists of various genres from around the country to perform in campus venues. The funds support artists fees and other associated costs, which also include the Westerville Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks and holiday concerts performed on Otterbein’s campus.
FY25 Frank Museum and Galleries Operating Support.
Franklin Park Conservatory
Otterbein Community Garden Support
AMOUNT: : $2,049
This grant provides funding and supplies for Otterbein’s Community Garden as it provides local, nutritious produce for the Westerville and Otterbein communities. Otterbein students run the campus Farmers Market social enterprise to provide a sustainable framework for the garden and other activities. The crop share program supports food insecure residents and students and strives to ensure zero hunger on campus while encouraging healthy eating habits.
State Library of Ohio
Program: Celebrating Ohio Book Award
AMOUNT: : $ 600
The Courtright Memorial Library has been awarded a grant to purchase children’s books to serve as a resource for education majors to use while working with students in local schools.
Columbus Foundation - Johnstone Fund
Composure and Performance of a Left-handed Piano Piece
AMOUNT: : $7,500
This grant from the Johnstone Fund of the Columbus Foundation provides the opportunity for Nick Ross, professor and chair of Otterbein’s Music Department, to compose a piece of music to be played specifically with the left hand. Ross will perform the piece for the public at a concert on campus.
Franklin County Department of Health
Westerville CHAT
AMOUNT: : $35,000
Two grants from the Franklin County Department of Health were awarded in support of Otterbein’s work with The Westerville Community Health Action Team (CHAT), a partnership between Franklin County Public Health and residents, seeking to build a healthier Westerville. The funds support health educational outreach materials and activities conducted by Otterbein’s Health Promotion Team and Westerville CHAT at various events in Westerville.
