Witt Nation 2011

And then they Arrived…

Linda — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:50:48 +0000

In true Wittenberg fashion, all of the members of the class of 2015 arrived on campus Thursday morning with all of their belongings in tow; parents, siblings and other family members too! Wittenberg welcomed them to their home away from home with opened arms…a comforting feeling for all involved. I was labled a ‘mover’ and after a few trips up the three flights of stairs in New Hall I soon realized I would do what comes natural; greet and talk to the new students and parents who were attempting to unpack, make beds as sons and daughters were wishing there was no audience.

Many of these students we had a chance to meet on the road during our Witt Nation outings. To those who attended, they were already home. They had the ease of seeing many familiar faces. Parents were at ease as we had already created one of the many Wittenberg memories in their hometowns as we engaged the class of 2015 with alumni, past parents, current students and parents in 16 cities around the counrty. It was a great tour!

From the campus community, Witt Nation 2011 Crew, all of the alumni and your Director of Alumni Relations; welcome! We are excited you have join the many who selected Wittenberg as their home for the past 167 years. You will love your experience. Never forget to look around at your surroundings, your classmates, your professors—you will never see life through the same eyes, you will change daily as you grow academically, spiritually and phyically, and you will love every minute of this experience!

WELCOME CLASS OF 2015, you are now home!

All my best for your success,

Linda

End of the Line

Stefan Diehm — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:14:55 +0000

The final Witt Nation Welcome tour event was spectacular! Columbus really rolled out a memorable welcome with over 120 alumni, friends, students, and staff in attendance. I’ve been particularly struck by the great diversity in age at these events, and tonight was no exception. We’ve seen alumni from the 1940s and 1950s down to the newest Witt students, and even the littlest future Tigers!

Wendell Lutz ’66 and Steve Buchenroth ’70, Witt Nation veterans and members of the Board of Directors, were in attendance to sample some Graeter’s ice cream and share some laughs with the crew and fellow alumni. T-shirts flew off the table! A hot commodity, expect to see many of these on campus and out in circulation this fall.

Thank you to all who attended to make this a great finale. The crew now begins their last return trip back to Springfield bursting with Witenberg pride.

-Stefan Diehm ’08

Frosty Tiger Paws

Sarah Matesich — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:13:50 +0000

We had no problem sharing the venue with all the canines in the Gahanna area for dog night at Graeters. We had a great following of alumni from the past fifteen years. When the Jordan family walked in they brought a lot of energy, especially Jack. He already showed a strong passion for the place as he raced to put on his new Witt Nation shirt and stickers all over his chest and arms. I have no doubt he would be a great fit a Witt- he is already on my recruiting list, even though it will be ten to fifteen years down the road. Class of 2032 and 2029 Ethan and Owen Moran couldn’t wait to record their video welcoming the incoming class. Probably should also add them to my recruiting list as well.

The young Tiger tikes and alumni made a big impression and we are all amazed how fast the summer has gone and that in just two weeks a new generation of Wittenbergers will be joining us.

Tiger Up,
Sarah Matesich ’08

Heavy Windage

Sam — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 01:51:36 +0000

Chicago is definitely known for it’s windage, if you will, but Chicago is also known for how amazing their Witt alums are as well. Tonight’s event was full of great conversation, established alum, and of course incoming students. (And sushi too…) The best part about the night of course is where we were located, and that is mostly because of the plethora of help from Adam Feichter ’03. Adam is the GM of SUSHISAMBA here in Chicago where our event was held, and he definitely showed us an amazing time. The sushi and finger food was great, and all of our alumni certainly enjoyed it. Chicago is a superb place for Witt alum and we are very proud to have all of these alumni, and their great stories from Greek stories to emotional stories, all were spectacular to listen to, especially from Jen Abrahamson ’94 and Rebecca Dunkle Moulfarha ’97. They were hilarious with their stories from the Bird (a Witt staple) to regular class stories about John “Mad Dog” Ritter and many other professors. It was a very eventful night and we are very proud of our Witt alum here in Chi Town!!

One love,
Sam…Tao

The Heat Is On In DC…

Linda — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:37:03 +0000

As temperatures rise in the political arena, as climate change is in full swing, everyone can feel the heat, 105, in DC. Well, we decided to top that temp and heat things up at 230 2nd Street NW for a night of fun! You might think with all of the chaos on The Hill you would not find much excitement and many who would want to celebrate. Well, nothing would halt a group of Wittenbergers on a mission. Our alumni event was planned and nothing would derail those plans for a wonderful evening. We had things to accomplish, people to meet and welcome into our community.

Welcoming a new member of the class of 2015, Maija Mikkelsen, we all had a great chance to connect, tell stories, some about our own Hill in The Hollow, others were giving wonderful advice about classes, roommates, and we did assure Mary (mother) everything is great and her daughter will love it. All of those in attendance had a fabulous experience during their college days at Witt, some were trying to relive those days!!!!! Yikes!

As my mini-tour ends with my stop in DC, and as I head back to Ohio for the start of another school year, I am grateful I had this opportunity to travel and engage our alumni, connecting them back to Wittenberg. It was not all about the Melon in Pitt, the Burgers in Philly, the Crab Dip in Baltimore or the Heat on the Hill in DC; this tour was about people. People you meet along your journey who have a profound impact on you and your life. A professor, coach, roommate or dear friend; someone you will remember for their authenticity, their grace and wonderful character. At times you will wonder why they came into your life? We are happy that Wittenberg is a place that fosters these relationships and creates strong and everlasting bonds. These are the people we reference when we are connecting and reconnecting during alumni gatherings. These are the PEOPLE with the PASSION found at the PLACE…and folks, that place is Wittenberg.

Pitt, Philly, Baltimore and DC; thanks for a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Linda

Feeling Right at Home at The Rathskeller!

Sarah Jusiewicz — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 01:28:28 +0000

Guten Tag from the Witt Nation Crew in Indianapolis!

Tonight’s event at The Rathskeller reminded all of the alumni, current & future Tiger’s of our German roots. We feasted on some fine brats, pretzels, and mustards. Our very own spicy connoisseur, Sam Stough, was even spotted shedding a tear over one of those mustards. We also had to keep Ben McCombs from showing off his finest lederhosen.

While our history has laid an amazing foundation for us, it is the stories that we are able to share that truly ties us all together. Whether hearing about Richard Maurer’s ’64 path to Indy because he happened to meet a former fraternity brother in the Pittsburgh airport or seeing new faces like Campbell Eccles ’15 proudly sporting a t-shirt that I believe is going to gain a lot of ground in the Indianapolis area (Hoosier by birth Tiger by Choice) it was a fun time for all!

We have been fueled by the energy of meeting you-Hope to see you all back on campus soon!

Cheerfully,

Sarah J

Sarah Jusiewicz

Travelin’ Through Toledo

Ben — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:29:57 +0000

Hello there friends,

The crew has had a great time in Toledo! It was great meeting new faces like Evan Baker and Madison Telecky both incoming students from the class of 2015! They sounded very excited to get to Wittenberg! I also got to meet lots of our alums like Tim VanVoorhis ’89. Tim and I shared fun stories about professor Wayne Maurer in the Business Department who we both had for accounting. Wittenberg has certainly changed over the years, but everyone we talked to couldn’t get over the fantastic experience they had at Wittenberg. Witt Nation 2011 is a great way for incoming students to meet alums and staff before they even get to campus. Everyone loved the atmosphere and famous Tony Packo hotdogs at the event. I am extremely jealous of the incoming students because of the memories and experiences I had at Wittenberg as a student. I hope all the new students get involved and love Wittenberg as much as I do.

From the road with love,

Ben

Great Showing in Ann Arbor!

Sarah Barchick — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:27:52 +0000

Leaving the Ann Arbor Witt Nation Event currently. It was great to see so many alums and incoming students (class of 2015) come out. Weber’s was a beautiful venue and the food was delicious (especially the spinach and cheese sandwiches.) I really enjoyed speaking with a couple of alums who live and work in the Ann Arbor area and am looking forward to working with them in the future to continue spreading the word about Witt in the area. As for the Class of 2015, as the admission counselor for students coming from Michigan I am so excited you have made the decision to be a part of the Witt community. (I believe there were car pool groups arranged for holiday breaks already tonight). Thanks to all who came out and made Ann Arbor a very successful stop on the 2011 Witt Nation Tour!

Best,
Sarah Barchick
Admission Counselor

Its Own City – Baltimore!

Linda — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:25:05 +0000

Did you know Baltimore is not part of DC? Hmmmmmm. There are many miles in between the two, however, we continue to ‘lump’ them into the same group when planning events. As we gathered tonight in Baltimore our small group was happy we finally recognized their city as a place of importance. Another place where Wittenbergers live, work and play hard.

I had another great evening of visiting with our alumni friends and another new student and his family. I kinda like this mini-tour I am on…..meeting our future students takes me back to my admission days and, seeing the interaction with the alumni is a beautiful thing! While eating crab dip and crabby fries (French fries smothered in crab dip topped with melted cheese)great stories were told by our 1980′s grads about the Phi Mu guys, tubing with coolers on Mad River, Greek Week, field hockey, trucks and they have even heard about the red Adirondack chairs on campus. Some additional stories I will refrain from writing about, but all were Distinctively Wittenberg.

As my new friends were departing, Witt Nation t-shirts in hand, I guaranteed we would be back. Volunteers have been discovered in Baltimore who are willing to connect Wittenberg alumni together for future events; social, educational and service. Now that is a beautiful thing!

As for me, I will be able to sit back and enjoy my wonderful Maryland Blue Crabs! NOT…too much to do and too many people to see!

Thank you Baltimore!

Linda

PS Witt Nation Crew – Have a great trip to Ann Arbor, Toledo, Indy and Chicago. Be smart and safe!

Witten-Burgers In Philly … An Awesome Welcome!

Linda — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:54:28 +0000

Philly, known for the steak and cheese…..not at Fado Irish Pub. The sliders were the hit along with the great alumni and parents who welcomed prospective students and new member of the class of 2015, Charles Minehart. I continue to be amazed at our alumni and their wonderful compassion and graciousness. Truly a wonderful group to be associated with and connected to through our common ties to Wittenberg. All alumni offer a different perspective as conversations unfold making it obvious each Wittenberg experience is unique. Yet, all have a thread of red and white, woven into the fabric of who they are which binds us together as we are all out in the world making a difference.

In our Philly group we had teachers, investment bankers, non-profit fundraisers, coaches, environmentalist, a legacy who’s grandfather graduated from Witt in 1901…and the list goes on. Each with a passion for their job, family and community. It is great to know how Wittenberg played an important part in transforming the lives of those who shared their evening with me in Philly.

As for the sliders…each unique with it’s own toppings…just like our Witten-Burgers!

More fun ahead…on to BaltiMore!

Linda

PS I assured Mrs. Minehart that Charles made the right decision…she agreed!