Ohio Wesleyan Announces $2.2 Million in Gift Commitments to Support ‘Connect Today, Create Tomorrow’ Capital Campaign
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University has received $2.2 million in new gift commitments to support its “Connect Today, Create Tomorrow” capital campaign. To date, the campaign has generated $65 million in contributions from graduates, parents, and friends of the university.
Priorities of the seven-year campaign include enhancing access and affordability for students through scholarship endowment; recognizing and rewarding faculty excellence and innovation; and improving the physical campus. The latest gifts support all of these priorities, said President Rock Jones, Ph.D.
“Ohio Wesleyan’s ‘Connect Today, Create Tomorrow’ campaign is inspiring and energizing our donors and friends as they work with us to advance the mission of the university,” Jones said. “Our donors and friends know the value of a liberal arts education, and they want to support a stellar experience for current and future OWU students. I am grateful to all of these donors for their generosity, vision, and engagement with Ohio Wesleyan.”
One example of “Connect Today, Create Tomorrow” innovation came in November, when Ohio Wesleyan received an anonymous $3 million gift to create a major-gift match program to augment eligible contributions with an additional $250,000. Three of the five new contributions will receive match funds to enhance their impact. Those gifts are:
- From Kevin J. McGinty, OWU Class of 1970, and Nancy C. McGinty of Pepper Pike, Ohio: $500,000 to create both “The McGinty Family Endowment for Economic Management Fellows,” in recognition of Kevin McGinty’s longstanding service on the Alumni Advisory Board of the Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship, and “The McGinty Family Endowment for Academic Support for Student Athletes,” to fund initiatives that enhance the well-being, development, and OWU experience for Battling Bishop student-athletes.
- The couple’s contribution and match gift also benefit the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, an unrestricted account that supports campus operations; the President’s Circle, a group of alumni, parents, and friends who aid the president in implementing strategic initiatives; and the Woltemade Center, which oversees the Economic Management Fellows (EMF) program.
- Kevin McGinty is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, and both husband and wife are serving as co-chairs of the “Connect Today, Create Tomorrow” campaign, along with Class of 1983 alumni John F. and Kathryn Bradford Milligan of Hillsborough, California. The leadership phase of the campaign was launched in July.
- “We are excited to be part of the ‘Connect Today, Create Tomorrow’ campaign as both co-chairs and donors,” the McGintys said. “So many wonderful things are happening at Ohio Wesleyan – from the development of The OWU Connection initiative to the many building renovation, restoration, and replacement projects. We urge others to support the university and its vital mission to prepare the next generation of global citizens and leaders.”
- From J. Laurance “Larry” Hill, M.D., Class of 1957, and Charlotte Patterson Hill, Class of 1957, of Baltimore: $250,000, plus match, to create “The J. Laurance Hill ’57 and Charlotte Patterson Hill ’57 Endowed Faculty Support Fund” to benefit Ohio Wesleyan’s outstanding faculty. The Hills are strong class leaders, charter members of the President’s Circle, and tireless advocates for both Ohio Wesleyan and the liberal arts.
- From Thomas P. Simons, Class of 1988, and Lorraine McCann Simons, Class of 1990, of Atlanta: $350,000, plus match, to create “The Thomas P. Simons ’88 and Lorraine McCann Simons ’90 Endowed Scholarship” to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students in perpetuity. Tom Simons has served as a class leader for the OWFund, and both are members of the President’s Circle. The couple also has helped with the recruitment of new students.
Also benefiting the ongoing capital campaign are the following alumni gifts:
- From Richard B. Alexander, Class of 1982, and Kim Alexander of Norwalk, Connecticut: $175,000 to support construction of a new small living unit (SLU), a themed living and learning residence that enables OWU sophomores, juniors, and seniors to create communities of people interested in common issues, such as social justice or the environment. Their gift also benefits the Ohio Wesleyan Fund. Richard Alexander has served as a member of the OWU Board of Trustees since 2004 and is a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.
- From Kenneth B. Sternad, Class of 1977, and Judy White Sternad, Class of 1977, of Norcross, Georgia: $177,500 to increase the previously established “Sternad Family Scholarship Fund.” Kenneth Sternad’s father, George, was a 1948 Ohio Wesleyan graduate and worked tirelessly to support admission efforts in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Sternad scholarships will support students from that region when possible. The couple’s gift also will support the Ohio Wesleyan Fund and the President’s Circle.
To learn more about giving to Ohio Wesleyan, call (740) 368-3057, email advancementoperations@owu.edu, or visit owu.edu/waystogive.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers 86 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world experience. OWU’s 1,750 students represent 46 U.S. states and territories and 43 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.