The 50th Class Reunion marks a tremendous milestone in the lives of Ohio Wesleyan alumni. In addition to celebrating alumni accomplishments, friendships, and shared history, Ohio Wesleyan honors the giving tradition of 50th Reunion classes and the meaningful legacy it has had for many generations.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about the 50th Reunion class gift. For additional information and questions, please contact Makenna Daniels, Associate Director of Advancement, at mdaniels@owu.edu or (740) 368-3319.
To make your class gift, complete and return the class gift commitment form or give online today.
What is the 50th Reunion class gift?
The 50th Reunion class gift is a longstanding tradition of Ohio Wesleyan alumni that honors the legacy of the 50th reunion class by supporting the next generation of Bishops.
The class gift is recognized in two parts: the 50th Annual Gift and the 50th Legacy Gift. The 50th Annual Gift has an immediate impact on current students through supporting one of OWU's Annual Giving Program Funds (owu.edu/agfunds) during the 50th reunion year, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Our class goal is to raise $275,000 of immediate support for the 50th Annual Gift by June 30, 2025.
The 50th Legacy Gift recognizes the cumulative impact of our class' philanthropy at Ohio Wesleyan. All gifts received or pledged since our 45th reunion through June 20, 2025 to any fund are counted in this total; thus, the 50th Annual Gift is part of the larger Legacy Gift total. Future gifts are also included, such as pledged gifts or gifts left in a will. The total Legacy Gift will be announced at Reunion Weekend in a check presentation to President Matt vandenBerg!
There are many ways to give to fit your philanthropic goals as detailed on our class online commitment form. To make a cash gift, you can:
Give by mail by sending a check to:
University Advancement Office
Mowry Alumni Center
61 S. Sandusky St.
Delaware, OH 43015
Give by phone at 1-855-OWU-1842
Give online at owu.edu/give
For tax-advantaged methods, consider one of the following:
Give through your IRA/retirement account to save on income taxes.
Give appreciated stock to avoid capital gains taxes.
Make a grant from a Donor Advised Fund.
For any of the above tax-advantaged methods, please contact Makenna Daniels at mdaniels@owu.edu or (740) 368-3319 for transfer instructions.
To make a pledge for future giving, please complete and return the online commitment form.
More information on ways to give (monthly gifts, matching gifts, DAFs, IRAs, and more) can be found at owu.edu/waystogive.
All gifts to any of the Annual Giving Program funds (owu.edu/agfunds) are automatically counted in our class' 50th Annual Gift and help us reach our goal of $275,000.
Designations include: Area of Greatest Need, OWFund Student Scholarship, OWFund OWU Connection, OWFund Emergency Needs, OWFund Campus Programming, OWFund Faculty Development, all Academic Departments, Team OWU Athletics, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund, and the Women of Ohio Wesleyan Fund.
Yes! While Annual Giving Program gifts help reach the $275,000 goal, all gifts, no matter the fund, are included in the 50th Legacy Gift that is announced during Reunion Weekend. For example, this includes gifts for endowments or other restricted funds, like the Ross Art Museum or Woltemade Center.
Yes! All gifts, including pledges for future years, support the 50th class gift. For example, suppose you would like to give $5,000 a year for 3 years. The first $5,000 received before June 30, 2025 supports the Annual Gift goal of $275,000 for the class, and the full $15,000 is included in the 50th Legacy Gift total shared at Reunion Weekend.
Yes! All estate commitments or gifts left in wills (what are often called "planned gifts") are included in the 50th Legacy Gift total and also welcome you into Ohio Wesleyan's Tower Society. Joining the Tower Society is simple and a great way to establish a lasting legacy at OWU. For more information, please contact Makenna Daniels, Associate Director of Advancement, at mdaniels@owu.edu or (740) 368-3319.
Ohio Wesleyan has two giving societies that recognize leadership and loyalty in annual giving: The 1842 Society and the Loyal Bishops Society.
Alumni who give $1,842 or more are recognized as leadership donors in our 1842 Society and are invited to a reception with President Matt vandenBerg during Reunion Weekend.
Alumni who give for 3 or more consecutive years or who make a recurring gift of the same duration will be recognized as part of a new giving society, the Loyal Bishops Society, for their steadfast support of Ohio Wesleyan.