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Ken Robinson '95 and his wife, Dr. Tara Stipe Robinson '93 reminisce about their time at Ohio Wesleyan and share a core memory, "We used to drink our coffee from this big, old, plastic, 1990's coffee mug with a tagline 'Education for Leadership and Service.'" The message on the mug, philanthropy through Delta Zeta, and the transformational influence of Chaplain Jon Powers set the Robinsons on personal and professional paths based on compassionate service and advocacy for others. Upon graduation from OWU 29 years ago, Ken began working for the American Red Cross. He is currently the Regional Disaster Officer for the Central and Southern Ohio Region, deploying to areas where a natural disaster occurred, and assistance from the Red Cross is needed. After graduating from OWU, Tara attended medical school and has devoted herself to helping others as a practicing family physician for over 20 years.
It is their foundational value of the life-giving responsibility to serve others, their lasting connections to Ohio Wesleyan, and the relationships they cultivated during their time on campus that led the Robinsons to prioritize philanthropy to the Ohio Wesleyan Fund and become members of the Loyal Bishops Society.
What motivates your generosity toward OWU?
Tara: Ken and I desire to give back a portion of what we received. I was a first-generation college student, and I received a scholarship that enabled me to attend Ohio Wesleyan. We choose to give to OWU as a way to give thanks for the friendships we built, the professors we had, and the experiences that shaped us.
Ken: There was a time when I did not know if I would be able to return to OWU due to financial uncertainties. When I needed financial help, OWU was able to help me because somebody was generous with OWU and gave long after graduation. It mattered to me then, and it matters to students now. Also, we would not be who we are today without OWU.
What makes you most excited about what is happening on campus?
Tara: The university years are vital in developing skills for critical thinking. The desire to think critically is currently missing in so much of our population. However, a university like Ohio Wesleyan can provide exceptional diversity, which lends itself to critical thinking as we engage the world around us. Nothing compares to being exposed to different points of view. People with different backgrounds can learn so much from one another.
Ken: What I witness is Ohio Wesleyan students are inquisitive. They seem interested in their learning. I find our students inspiring. So much of what the world sees on social media channels is doom, gloom, and fighting. In contrast, what we see at OWU is responsible citizens in the wings waiting to take their place in the world.
And the experiences that they're trying to curate through the OWU Connection plays a crucial role in helping our students connect theory to practice. The university and the generosity of donors support the OWU Connection. It's more than just students with the financial means that are able to have opportunities. All students at OWU have these opportunities. OWU is investing in students who would otherwise never have that opportunity to grow, learn, discover, explore, and find their purpose.
The university cultivates a space where compassionate advocates for change are shaped. Compassion only sometimes comes with advocacy, and advocacy only sometimes comes with understanding. However, I think Ohio Wesleyan takes excellent care and intentionality to be a place where you can have conversations across differences and become an advocate without slashing and burning on the other side. Ohio Wesleyan has the tradition of being a community of care.
How do you hope your philanthropy will impact current and future Bishops?
Tara: We want our financial gifts to broaden life experiences for other students, just like Ken and I had. I'm just a kid from central Ohio. There was almost no diversity where I grew up. When I came to Ohio Wesleyan, I met students from different countries and backgrounds, which was something entirely new to me. Exposure to others was pivotal in helping me understand that I wanted to make the world a better place. Without Ohio Wesleyan, I wouldn't have known of the world outside of my world in Ohio. I hope that any financial support we give to the university helps students develop into more well-rounded citizens of the world.
Ken: I always get a big kick out of the opportunities we support because the university's work is transformational. Students should have the chance to experience OWU's transformational education. We're living in tough times, and OWU provides opportunities and exposure to differences that allow for healthy, constructive, respectful debate, and to see the world through lenses that they didn't have before.
There are moments that happen on a college campus that are so essential. There was a class I took about race in the media, it blew my mind, and I've never been the same. It is transformational moments like I experienced that you trust an institution to provide, and steward. Ohio Wesleyan continues to do this well.
What advice or encouragement would you share with other alumni who consider giving to OWU?
Tara: It has to become a habit. Start small. Start with whatever you can. You can do it. But it's a habit that will help you grow as a donor and the students as recipients grow in their personal development.
Ken: Giving is good for you. And it's hard not to see the product OWU is curating and not want to buy into that because it is just so exceptional. Helping OWU students engage with the world is a pretty impressive thing to put your money behind.
So, giving is not entirely selfless. We help build better citizens committed to service, stewardship, sustainability, and the inclusion of others, and then we all win.