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Otterbein’s Office of Social Justice and Activism collaborated with WeRISE for Greater Westerville and the Westerville Queer Collective to bring Westerville’s Juneteenth celebration to campus this year.
Otterbein students Zach Brinson, Racheal Idowu, and Joshua Goshay attended the event on June 24 at The Point at Otterbein.
Otterbein has earned the Highly Established Action Plan Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its nonpartisan democratic engagement action. Otterbein is one of 192 campuses that has earned this recognition so far for the 2024 election cycle. The seal recognizes higher education institutions with strong action plans to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement by promoting civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation.
At Otterbein, the plan is an institution-wide effort supported from the top down.
“It is the role of higher education institutions like Otterbein to encourage thoughtful civic and political engagement to model how to engage on these matters respectfully, and, hopefully, to listen, learn, and grow as a person from these experiences,” said President John Comerford. “The student leaders and administrators at Otterbein have always led by example, and this plan not only formalizes that behavior, but turns it into action.”
For his role as a champion of democracy, President Comerford was invited to join the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a unique consortium convened by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. He joins 91 participating presidents who are dedicated to preparing the next generation of well-informed, productively engaged, and committed citizens; defending free expression, civil discourse, and critical inquiry as essential civic norms; and increasing thoughtful engagement and better understanding by students for the effective functioning of our democracy. The consortium was established in August 2023 with 15 members.
The participating presidents represent diverse institutions from across the country, but they all share the perspective that it is the responsibility of higher education to equip students with the critical civic skills to participate effectively in a democracy, engage in civil discourse, and express themselves responsibly.
Dee Hoty ’74
Marsha Rice Scanlin ’74
Melissa Briggs-Phillips ’95
James E. Prysock III ’09 MBA’19
Rebecca A. Carter ’15
Amanda Dakermanji ’14
Ashleigh Thornton Kraus ’17
Aaron Rhinehart ’14
Christina Reynolds
Nominate a peer for the 2025 Alumni Awards at: www.otterbein.edu/alumni/awards.
Every fall, we recognize a special group of alumni and friends with the University’s top honors and awards. The 2024 Alumni Awards were conferred at Homecoming and Family Weekend in September and the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were honored in October. Hats off to these amazing alumni and friends:
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dee Hoty ’74
Marsha Rice Scanlin ’74
Otterbein Alumni Award
Melissa Briggs-Phillips ’95
James E. Prysock III ’09 MBA’19
Rising Star Award
Rebecca A. Carter ’15
Amanda Dakermanji ’14
Ashleigh Thornton Kraus ’17
Aaron Rhinehart ’14
Honorary Alumni Recognition
Christina Reynolds (posthumously)
Mary B. Thomas ’28 Commitment to Otterbein Award
Knowlton Foundation President John Lindberg (left) receiving the Mary B. Thomas ’28 Commitment to Otterbein Award with President John Comerford.
You don’t have to live near Otterbein to participate in our Lifelong Learning Community. Our virtual membership allows you to watch classes live from the comfort of your home. You can also access class recordings to watch when it’s convenient for you.
Learn more and join today at www.otterbein.edu/lifelonglearning.
The 16th Otterbein University Athletics Hall of Fame class was inducted on Oct. 25.
Honorees were introduced to the fans at the annual rivalry football game between Otterbein and Capital on Oct. 26.
For more information, visit www.otterbeincardinals.com.
We want to sincerely thank the nearly 1,900 Cardinal community members who completed our 2024 Cardinal Survey this past spring. With your help, we have gained valuable insight into how we can better tailor our work in engagement and fundraising to suit the needs and preferences of our diverse Cardinal family.
Some key findings included:
There were also some clear messages about how we should continue or improve our efforts:
Legends:
Towers Magazine
E-News Emailed newsletters
Otterbein Website
Classmates and Friend
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Printed Mail
All Others
We look forward to incorporating these lessons and more as we plan for the months and years ahead, so be on the lookout for changes – large and small – to our events, communications, and volunteering opportunities.
We also want to congratulate our three drawing winners, selected randomly from those who entered after completing the Cardinal Survey:
Each received a $50 gift card to the Otterbein Bookstore.
Otterbein University’s equine teams continue to dominate on the national stage, wrapping up their respective seasons with strong finishes. The Otterbein Dressage Team won its region to qualify for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) national championships, where it was the defending three-time champion. This year, Otterbein’s IDA team secured a second place finish out of 11 teams at the national finals held in Tryon, NC, in April. Otterbein won the national championship in 2019, 2022, and 2023. (Competition was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.)
Otterbein University Dressage Team
Otterbein’s Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Equestrian Team finished seventh in the nation after an exciting week of hunt seat competition in Tryon, NC, in May. Otterbein’s team placed higher than more than 400 teams and 10,000 riders throughout the nation to achieve this impressive result. The team won its zone and regional championships in order to qualify for nationals.
Otterbein’s alumni advisory groups are comprised of a diverse selection of graduates who advise the Office of Engagement on topics related to the University, events, programming, and more. Their mission is to build and maintain meaningful, lifelong relationships that engage alumni and the University by creating new opportunities, fostering lifelong learning, building mutual support, and expanding the Otterbein experience.
We’re pleased to welcome the following Cardinals to the Alumni Council and Young Alumni Board:
Danelle Entenman-Bardos ’94, MBA’00
Michelle Quinn Dippold ’13
Rob Gagnon ’87
Melica Niccole Hampton ’04
Sadie Bartholomew Ingle ’07
Adele Knipp Klenk ’71
Deborah Banwart Lewis ’77
Chris McCall ’04
Mitchell W. Snyder ’17
Monty Soungpradith ’96
Helene Mundrick Wirth ’99, MBA’03
Cheers! Otterbein alumni and friends were “tapped” to select the brews to be served at the 2024 Homecoming & Family Weekend. The group learned about brewing and packaging at Seventh Son Brewing. All enjoyed the tour and tasting. Join in the fun at upcoming Otterbein Cardinal outings!
Left to right: Danelle Entenman-Bardos ’94, MBA’00, Kenzie Prickett ’24, Tonia Dunson-Dillard ’20, and Phanawn Bailey ’21, MBA’23
Phanawn Bailey ’21, MBA’23
Elijah McCutcheon ’22
Madelyn Nelson ’23
Kenzie Prickett ’24
Perry Reynolds ’15
Haylie Schmoll ’19
Maria Slovikovski ’17
Duncan Squillante ’21
For more information on our alumni advisory groups and these members, please visit www.otterbein.edu/alumni/volunteer-give.
In the latest U.S News Best Colleges rankings, Otterbein jumped seven spots to rank 13th among 163 peers in the Regional Universities–Midwest category. It is in the top three regional universities in Ohio. Otterbein was recognized as a Best Value School, Top Performer on Social Mobility, and for its Undergraduate Engineering Program.
In its 2024 College Guide and Rankings, Washington Monthly ranked Otterbein seventh among 589 Master’s Universities in the service category, which encompasses community and national service.
Otterbein’s Mechanical Engineering Program has earned accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), an internationally recognized agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology offered by American universities.
Otterbein’s Department of Education earned the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The 21 recipients of the award provided evidence and data trends to achieve accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement.
Professor of Health and Sport Sciences Shelley Payne received the prestigious Malcolm Knowles Memorial Self-Directed Learning Award from the International Society for Self-Directed Learning.
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.
Total Commitments Pledged
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!
$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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some lucky Cardinal athletes found adventure and competition abroad over the summer.
Members of the men’s basketball team, along with coaches and families, traveled to Costa Rica for team bonding and exhibition games. In addition to victories over a pair of Costa Rica’s top professional teams — Roswell (W 63-60) and San Ramon (W 78-74) — the team enjoyed whitewater rafting, zip lining, and saw a volcano and hot springs.
Members of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams, coaches, and relatives traveled to Italy for sightseeing and exhibition games unlike anything they have played before — on red clay courts, a surface that most Otterbein players had never been able to hit on before. (Clay courts accentuate spin and put a higher premium on both slice and topspin.) The group had free time in Rome, Vatican City, and Florence.
