Wittenberg University is a private four-year liberal arts college

Liberal arts colleges in the United States

Liberal arts colleges in the United States are certain undergraduate institutions of higher education in the United States. The Encyclopædia Britannica Concise offers a definition of the liberal arts as a "college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general...

 in Springfield, Ohio

Springfield, Ohio

Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...

 serving 2,000 full-time students representing 37 states and approximately 30 foreign countries. Wittenberg is nationally distinguished by its strong interdisciplinary programs in East Asian and Russian Area Studies

History

Wittenberg was founded in 1845 by a group of pastors in the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio. Reverend Ezra Keller was the principal founder and first president of the college. Its initial focus was to train clergy. One of its main missions was to "Americanize" Lutherans by teaching courses in English instead of German, unlike Capital University

Capital University

Capital University is a private liberal arts university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Bexley, Ohio, founded in 1830. In addition to its rigorous liberal arts program, the university also offers a reputable adult degree program in Columbus, Ohio. It is one of the oldest...

 in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...

. The first class originally consisted of eight students at the beginning of the academic year, but grew to seventy-one by the end. With a faculty of one professor and two tutors, classes were held in Springfield, Ohio in a church on land that was donated. This area was selected due to being located on the National Road

National Road

The National Road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Construction began heading west in 1811 at Cumberland, Maryland, on the Potomac River. It crossed the Allegheny Mountains and southwestern Pennsylvania, reaching...

, which made Springfield an agricultural and industrial center. In 1874, women were admitted, and, the following year, blacks were also admitted. The name came from Wittenberg University, located in Wittenberg

Wittenberg

Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....

, Germany, the town where Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...

 posted his 95 theses

95 Theses

The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences , commonly known as , was written by Martin Luther, 1517 and is widely regarded as the primary catalyst for the Protestant Reformation...

.

Hamma Divinity School

In 1978, Wittenberg's Theological Seminary, successively known as Hamma Divinity School and Hamma
School of Theology, merged with the Joint Synod controlled Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (now the Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Trinity Lutheran Seminary is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminary located in Columbus, Ohio.-Background:In 1830, the German Theological Seminary of the Ohio Synod, later known as the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, was founded to meet the need for educating pastors in the...

) of Capital University

Capital University

Capital University is a private liberal arts university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Bexley, Ohio, founded in 1830. In addition to its rigorous liberal arts program, the university also offers a reputable adult degree program in Columbus, Ohio. It is one of the oldest...

 in Bexley, Ohio

Bexley, Ohio

Bexley is an affluent suburban city in Franklin County, Ohio. Founded as a village over a hundred years ago, the City of Bexley is an old, tree-lined suburb of Columbus, the state capital of Ohio, situated on the banks of Alum Creek next to Driving Park and Wolfe Park, just east of the Franklin...

. This represented a one hundred and eighty degree reversal from the original founders’ desire to separate from the German synod and to emphasize use of the English language in teaching. The reunited schools became Trinity Lutheran Seminary as it is known today. It is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It became independent, administratively but not geographically, from Capital University in 1959. The seminary cooperates with the Methodist Seminary in Delaware, Ohio, and the Pontifical Josephinum in Columbus by sharing faculty and student courses.

Rev. Luther Alexander Gotwald

Luther Alexander Gotwald

Rev. Luther Alexander Gotwald, D.D. was a Professor of Theology in the Wittenberg Theological Seminary. He was famously tried for heresy by the Board of Directors at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio on April 4 and April 5, 1893, which put on trial many key issues that Lutherans still debate...

, D.D. (1833–1900), Professor of Theology in the Hamma Divinity School was famously tried for and unanimously acquitted of heresy by the Board of Directors at Wittenberg on April 4 and April 5, 1893, which put on trial many key issues that Lutherans still debate today. Wittenberg attained a national perspective and found a place in the mainstream of American higher education.

Presidents of Wittenberg

• Ezra Keller (1844–1848)
• Samuel Sprecher (1849–1874)
• John B. Helwig (1874–1882)
• Samuel Alfred Ort (1882–1900)
• John M. Ruthrauff (1900–1902)
• Charles G. Heckert (1903–1920)
• Rees Edgar Tulloss
  Rees Edgar Tulloss
  -External links:*...
  
   (1920–1949)
• Clarence Charles Stoughton (1949–1963)
• John Nissley Stauffer (1963–1968)
• G. Kenneth Andeen (1969–1974)
• William A. Kinnison (1974–1995)
• Baird Tipson
  Baird Tipson
  L. Baird Tipson is an American academic and college administrator. He holds an A.B. degree from Princeton and a Ph.D in religious studies from Yale University . After an initial career as a professor of religion at Virginia and Central Michigan University, Tipson entered academic administration...
  
   (1995–2004)
• William H. Steinbrink (Interim President)
• Mark H. Erickson
  Mark H. Erickson
  Mark H. Erickson is the current and thirteenth president of Wittenberg University beginning in 2005. -References:...
  
   (2005–Present)

On May 27, 2011, in an official University press-release, it was announced that President Mark H. Erickson

Mark H. Erickson

Mark H. Erickson is the current and thirteenth president of Wittenberg University beginning in 2005. -References:...

 would be stepping down at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year, allowing "the university’s Board of Directors the appropriate amount of time to conduct a national search for Wittenberg’s next president"

About Wittenberg

Wittenberg offers more than 70 majors and special programs. Eight pre-professional programs are offered to students, 70 percent of whom eventually pursue graduate studies. The University's science facilities are housed in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. Krieg Hall is the home of the music department. Wittenberg's art department is housed in Koch Hall. Thomas Library contains 367,000 volumes and provides access to OhioLINK

OhioLINK

The Ohio Library and Information Network, OhioLINK, is a consortium of Ohio’s college and university libraries and the State Library of Ohio. Serving more than 600,000 students, faculty, and staff at 88 institutions, OhioLINK’s membership includes 16 public universities, 23 community/technical...

, a consortium

Consortium

A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....

 of Ohio college and university libraries as well as the State Library of Ohio. The library houses the Kemper Special Collection Area which contains the Luther-Reformation Collection with more than 400 items written by Martin Luther and his contemporaries between 1517 and 1580. The library was built 1956 to the designs of Thomas Norman Mansell of Mansell, Lewis & Fugate

Mansell, Lewis & Fugate

Mansell, Lewis & Fugate was an architectural firm established in 1955 by architects Thomas Norman Mansell, Richard Arnold Lewis, and Edwin Lindsay Fugate, as the direct successor to the firm, T. Norman Mansell, established in 1938. The firm was based at 300 E...

 of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania is a suburban community located outside of Philadelphia in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania and Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, United States. Wynnewood was named in 1691 for Dr. Thomas Wynne, William Penn's physician and the first Speaker of the Pennsylvania General...

.

Departments and programs

• Africana Studies
• American Studies
• Accounting
• Art
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Computational Science
• Computer Science
• Chinese
• Creative Writing
• Dance
• Early Childhood Development
• East Asian Studies
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• English
• Environmental Studies
• Financial Economics
• Film studies
• French
• Geography
• Geology

• German
• Global Studies
• Health/Fitness/Sport
• Health Science
• History
• Honors Program
• International Studies
• International Relations
• Interdepartmental Majors
• Journalism
• Japanese
• Languages
• Liberal Studies (Community School of Education)
• Neuroscience
• Management
• Marine Science
• Marine/Aquatic Biology
• Mathematics
• Music
• Music Composition
• Music Education
• Occupational Therapy
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Piano Performance
• Political Science

• Pre-Chiropractic
• Pre-Dentistry
• Pre-health
• Pre-Law
• Pre-Optometry,
• Pre-Medicine
• Pre-Veterinary
• Pre-Modern and Ancient World
• Pre-Theology
• Psychology
• Religion
• Russian and Central Eurasian Studies
• School of Community Education
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Theatre & Dance
• Violin Performance
• Urban Studies
• Woman Studies
• WittSems
• Women's Studies
• Writing
• Zoology

Blair Hall

Blair hall is where the education department is housed for the university. Undergraduates and Graduate students take classes in this building if they are planning to pursue to become a teacher. The Springfield-Wittenberg Teacher Institute and Upward Bound are both housed in Blair.

The education department has another building which used to be the former Springfield City School administration office at 49 E. College Ave, which is now owned by Wittenberg University.

Recitation Hall

Recitation Hall is where many of the administrative offices for the university are housed. These offices include, admissions, financial aid, the president's office, provost's, student employment, university communications (Wittenberg's Media office for Wittenberg Magazine, Press office, New Media, Sports Media, and Publications office), and human resources. Recitation hall also has its own chapel. This was the second building constructed on campus. In 1883 classes were held in Recitation Hall. There is a second building behind Recitation hall which serves as the university's police and security headquarters, the campus switchboard and the transportation office.

Synod Hall

This building is home to the Economics department, Upward Bound, and The Solution Center. The Upward Bound school offices have been re-located to Synod. The Upward Bound is a high school program for students in low-income areas of the city to receive a high level education from college professors while in high school.

Ranking

In 2010, Princeton Review ranked Wittenberg 11th in the nation for "Best Classroom Experience," and 15th in the nation for "Professors Get High Marks." In addition, Princeton Review ranked the college's campus the 18th most beautiful in the nation in 2009. The University continues to rank in the top 120 liberal art colleges in the US.

In 2011, US News & World Report ranked Wittenberg the 114th best Liberal Arts college in the US.

Wittenberg University was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 176th best university in the country out of a survey of 6,000 colleges and universities.

The university also has top programs in Communication. The communication program was named by the National Communication Association as Nation's Best program. Along with that Wittenberg University has been named one of only 23 institutions in the nation by the Fiske Guide to Colleges for "Small Colleges and Universities Strong in Drama." The elite ranking places Wittenberg alongside such schools as Juilliard, Vassar

Vassar College

Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...

|, Oberlin, Otterbein

Otterbein University

Otterbein University is a private, four-year liberal arts college in Westerville, Ohio, United States. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. As a result of a division and two mergers involving the Church, the University has since 1968 been associated...

 and Princeton

Princeton University

Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....

.

In the last 10 years, Wittenberg faculty members have won 16 Fulbright awards, more than any other liberal arts college in the state of Ohio. Chronicle of Higher Education says the university is one of 11 bachelor’s programs with more than two professors doing research under Fulbright auspices.

Athletics

Wittenberg ended the 2009 fall sports season ranked 16th among more than 430 NCAA Division III schools in the Learfield Sports Directors Cup standings, administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)

Student Organizations

Anime Club, Chemistry Club, Chinese Dragon Dance Team, Colleges Against Cancer/Relay for Life

Relay For Life

Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...

, College Democrats, College Republicans, Comic Book Club, East Asian Studies Club, Gay-Straight Alliance

Gay-straight alliance

Gay–straight alliances are student organizations, found primarily in North American high schools and universities, that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their straight allies .-Goal:The goal of most, if not all,...

, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Mock Trial

Mock trial

A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...

, New York Times Discussion Group, Outdoors Club, Pep Band, Pocket Lint Improvisational Comedy, POWER (Parliament of the Wittenberg Environmental Revolution), Pre-Health Club, Sailing Club, Society of Physics Students, Student Global AIDS Campaign

Student Global AIDS Campaign

The Student Global AIDS Campaign is an advocacy group with more than 85 chapters at high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States. The group is committed to bringing an end to HIV and AIDS in the U.S...

, Student Senate, Swing Dance Club, Union Board, University Communications, Wittenberg Art League, Wittenberg Role-Playing Guild, Wittenberg Rugby, Wittenberg Student Dance Company (WSDC), WUSO radio station, WittMen Crew A Capella, Student newspaper The Torch, Wittenberg Film Club, Diversity Club, Planned Parenthood, and Younglife.

Center for Civic and Urban Engagement

On September 24, 2008, Wittenberg opened the Center for Civic and Urban Engagement. Its purpose is to help coordinate community service projects. Their mission is to also be the partnership between the university and the city, state and federal governments. Warren Copeland, Springfield mayor and the university's professor of religion and director of the urban studies, is the faculty director.

The East Asian Institute for International Studies

The East Asian Institute for International Studies at Wittenberg University manages an internship program, provides export development services, and organizes programs and events focusing on international business and East Asia. The Institute supports and cooperates with Ohio's export development network.

GLBT & Ally Center For Diversity

This is the center on the north side of the campus which helps promote diversity and acceptance to the community of gay, lesbian, transgenders, or other groups.

Springfield Peace Center

This center is located on Wittenberg University's campus and is a non-profit organization. Its goal is educating for peace and teaching alternatives to violence. They hold classes for adults and youth students and hold camps throughout the year. They do ask for donations to help fund the programs.

Wittenberg radio station

The University has its own student run 24 hour radio station on 89.1FM. 89.1 WUSO, has started simulcasting the Dayton classical station WDPR

WDPR

WDPR is a radio station licensed to Dayton, Ohio, serving the greater Dayton area. The station, which plays classical music, is currently owned by Dayton Public Radio....

 Monday through Friday mornings from 6 am until 10 am. The station broadcasts news, politics, sports, food, music shows. The Tiger Sports Network broadcasts the sports programming. Its studios are located in the basement of Firestine Hall on Woodlawn Ave. The radio station broadcasts throughout the Springfield area. The radio station went through an upgrade on their website to allow audio streaming.

The launch of a new media program called the Integrated Media Corps has recently developed. Wittenberg University has ten students that create and produce news videos, sports highlight videos for WDTN-TV (Dayton NBC), WHIO-TV (Dayton CBS), WKEF-TV (Dayton ABC) and the university web, record news stories for WUSO, the student run radio station, and write press releases for the university website. The program also has began broadcasting sports programs on WIZE-AM in Springfield.

Wittenberg Online Radio

Wittenberg University has recently launched a new radio station for athletics broadcasting. The radio station currently is only internet only. To listen to Wittenberg's athletic radio programming visit the Tiger Sports Network website.

The Wittenberg Torch

The Torch is Wittenberg University's student run newspaper which comes out on campus every Tuesday. The newspaper has a staff of news reporters, editors, viewpoint writers and sports writers.

Wittenberg Medial Facilities

The Wittenberg Health and Counseling services office is located in the basement of Shovlin Hall. For athletic students, services are also available at the Excel Medicine Sports' office located in the Health, Physical, Education and Recreation building located on Bill Edwards Drive.

Residence life

Wittenberg has 7 residence halls on campus, including: Tower Hall, Myers Hall, Firestine Hall, Ferncliff Hall, Woodlawn Hall, New Residence Hall and Polis House. The oldest residence hall is Myers Hall. This was the first campus building when the university opened. Myers Hall is now a National Historic Site for its history. The newest residence hall is called New Residence Hall, which opened in 2006. The Polis House is the international residence hall on campus. International students, International Studies students, or language majors may choose to live in this residence. Students who are at junior or senior standing have the option to live in the university-provided on-campus apartments or off campus in apartments or rental houses.

The Benham-Pence Student Center houses most of the university's dining services. The main floor of the student center houses Post 95 which offers four different options, including Grill 95, Sandilla's sandwich and cafe, Jazzman's cafe, and Ariba Mexican. "Founders", the university pub, is located in the basement of the student center and was opened in during the 2009/2010 school year. The Center Dining Room (also known as the "CDR" by students) is located on the second floor of the Student Center along with the faculty dining room. Breakfast and lunch are also served in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center's "Simply To Go" a la carte cafe.

Greek life

Wittenberg also has an active Greek Life on campus.

Fraternities include:

• Beta Theta Pi
  Beta Theta Pi
  Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
  
   (Alpha Gamma chapter),
• Lambda Chi Alpha
  Lambda Chi Alpha
  Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
  
   (Nu Zeta Zeta chapter),
• Phi Gamma Delta
  Phi Gamma Delta
  The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
  
  , or FIJI (Sigma chapter),
• Phi Kappa Psi
  Phi Kappa Psi
  Phi Kappa Psi is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1852. There are over a hundred chapters and colonies at accredited four year colleges and universities throughout the United States. More than 112,000 men have been...
  
   (Ohio Beta chapter),
• Delta Tau Delta
  Delta Tau Delta
  Delta Tau Delta is a U.S.-based international secret letter college fraternity. Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia, . It currently has around 125 student chapters nationwide, as well as more than 25 regional alumni groups. Its national community service...
  
   (Iota Beta chapter),

Sororities include:

• Alpha Delta Pi
  Alpha Delta Pi
  Alpha Delta Pi is a fraternity founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The Executive office for this sorority is located on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Alpha Delta Pi is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Phi Mu...
  
   (Chi chapter),
• Delta Gamma
  Delta Gamma
  Delta Gamma is one of the oldest and largest women's fraternities in the United States and Canada, with its Executive Offices based in Columbus, Ohio.-History:...
  
   (Gamma Rho chapter),
• Gamma Phi Beta
  Gamma Phi Beta
  Gamma Phi Beta is an international sorority that was founded on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for Gamma Phi Beta by Dr. Frank Smalley, a professor at Syracuse University.The four founders are Helen M. Dodge,...
  
   (Alpha Nu chapter),
• Kappa Delta
  Kappa Delta
  Kappa Delta was the first sorority founded at the State Female Normal School , in Farmville, Virginia. It is one of the "Farmville Four" sororities founded at the university...
  
   (Alpha Nu chapter),
• Sigma Kappa
  Sigma Kappa
  Sigma Kappa is a sorority founded in 1874 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Sigma Kappa was founded by five women: Mary Caffrey Low Carver, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliott Mann Hall and Louise Helen Coburn...
  
   (Gamma Omega Chapter).

Secret Societies

Wittenberg is also known for its secret societies. One of the most famous secret societies is The Shifters. They are easily identified by the paper clips worn on their clothing, usually around the collar of their shirts.

Recent Commencement speakers

• Helen Thomas
  Helen Thomas
  Helen Thomas is an American author and former news service reporter, member of the White House Press Corps and opinion columnist. She worked for the United Press and post-1958 successor United Press International for 57 years, first as a correspondent, and later as White House bureau manager...
  
   - 154th Commencement speaker (1999)
• Fred Mitchell '69 - 155th Commencement speaker (2000)
• John E. McLaughlin
  John E. McLaughlin
  John Edward McLaughlin is the former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and former Acting Director of Central Intelligence. McLaughlin is an accomplished magician and lectured on magic at the 2006 International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Convention in Miami, Florida...
  
   '64 - 156th Commencement speaker (2001)
• Bill Press
  Bill Press
  William "Bill" Press is a US talk radio host, political commentator and author.-Career:Press has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Niagara University and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the University of Fribourg. He started his broadcasting career in Los Angeles for TV stations KABC-TV and...
  
   - 157th Commencement speaker (2002)
• Judith Viorst
  Judith Viorst
  Judith Viorst is an American author, newspaper journalist, and psychoanalysis researcher. She is perhaps best known for her children's literature, such as The Tenth Good Thing About Barney and the Alexander series of short picture books.In 1968, Viorst signed the “Writers and Editors War Tax...
  
   - 158th Commencement speaker (2003)
• Caroll Spinney
  Caroll Spinney
  Caroll Edwin Spinney, sometimes credited as Carroll Spinney or Ed Spinney , is an American puppeteer most famous for playing Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the children's television show Sesame Street.-Life and career:...
  
   - 159th Commencement speaker (2004)
• Lois Raimondo '81 - 160th Commencement speaker (2005)
• Mark Mathabane
  Mark Mathabane
  Mark Mathabane is an author, lecturer, and a former collegiate tennis player and college professor.- Early life in South Africa :...
  
   - 161st Year Commencement speaker (2006)
• Juan Williams
  Juan Williams
  Juan Williams is an American journalist and political analyst for Fox News Channel, he was born in Panama on April 10, 1954. He also writes for several newspapers including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal and has been published in magazines such as The Atlantic...
  
   - 162nd Year Commencement speaker (2007)
• Dave Hobson
  Dave Hobson
  David Lee Hobson is an American politician of the Republican Party who served as a U.S. representative from the seventh congressional district of Ohio.Hobson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Withrow High School in 1954...
  
   - 163rd Year Commencement speaker (2008)
• Richard Stengel
  Richard Stengel
  Richard "Rick" Stengel is an American editor, journalist and author and is Time magazine's 16th managing editor. While best known for his work for Time, he has written a number of books including a collaboration with Nelson Mandela on Mandela's autobiography...
  
   - 164th Year Commencement speaker (2009)
• Zackie Achmat
  Zackie Achmat
  Zackie Achmat is a South African activist, most widely known as founder and chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign and for his work on the behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.-Early life:...
  
   - 165th Year Commencement speaker (2010)
• Doug Ulman - 166th Year Commencement speaker (2011)

Notable alumni

• Steve Abbott
  Steve Abbott
  Stephen Abbott is an Australian comedian and author.He was a member of the band The Castanet Club with others such as Mikey Robins Angela Moore and Maynard Crabbes- Bibliography:...
  
  , actor
• Brian Agler
  Brian Agler
  Brian Agler is a basketball coach, currently the head coach of WNBA's Seattle Storm. He has been the head coach of two other professional women's teams, and won two professional titles as coach....
  
  , basketball coach, currently the head coach of WNBA's Seattle Storm
• Sherwood Anderson
  Sherwood Anderson
  Sherwood Anderson was an American novelist and short story writer. His most enduring work is the short story sequence Winesburg, Ohio. Writers he has influenced include Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, J. D. Salinger, and Amos Oz.-Early life:Anderson was born in Clyde, Ohio,...
  
  , writer
• Jennette Bradley
  Jennette Bradley
  -Personal life:Jennette Bradley , her family would settle in a neighborhood on Columbus' east side, after her father retired from the United States Army. Bradley graduated from East High School in 1970...
  
  , former Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
  Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
  The position of lieutenant governor of Ohio was established in 1852. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor resigns, dies in office or is removed by impeachment. Before 1852, the president of the Ohio State Senate would serve as acting governor if a vacancy in the governorship...
  
   and Ohio State Treasurer
  Ohio State Treasurer
  -List of Ohio State Treasurers:...
  
  
• John Chowning
  John Chowning
  John M. Chowning is an American composer, musician, inventor, and professor best known for his work at Stanford University and his invention of FM synthesis while there.-Contribution:...
  
  , American musician, inventor and professor
• Al Davis
  Al Davis
  Allen "Al" Davis was an American football executive. He was the principal owner of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League from 1970 to 2011...
  
  , owner of the Oakland Raiders
  Oakland Raiders
  The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
  
   NFL franchise ***attended Wittenberg University but graduated from Syracuse University 1950
• Lloyd C. Douglas
  Lloyd C. Douglas
  Lloyd Cassel Douglas born Doya C. Douglas, was an American minister and author.He was born in Columbia City, Indiana, spent part of his boyhood in Monroeville, Indiana, Wilmot, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky, where his father, Alexander Jackson Douglas, was pastor of the Hopeful Lutheran Church...
  
  , minister and author.
• Sandy Dukat
  Sandy Dukat
  Sandy Dukat is an American athlete. Born in Canton, Ohio, she had her right leg amputated above the knee at the age of four. She won two bronze medals for alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City and one bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin...
  
  , an American athlete
• Isaac Kaufmann Funk
  Isaac Kaufmann Funk
  Isaac Kaufmann Funk was an American Lutheran minister, editor, lexicographer, publisher, and spelling reformer. He was the co-founder of Funk & Wagnalls Company, the father of author Wilfred J. Funk, and the grandfather of author Peter Funk...
  
  , editor, lexicographer, publisher; founder of Funk & Wagnalls Company publishing firm
• Benjamin Thurman Hacker
  Benjamin Thurman Hacker
  Rear Admiral Benjamin Thurman Hacker was a U.S. Navy officer, who became the first Naval Flight Officer to achieve Flag rank.-Early life:...
  
   (1935–2003), U.S. Navy Officer, first Naval Flight Officer to achieve flag rank
  Flag Officer
  A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
  
  
• Elwood V. Jensen
  Elwood V. Jensen
  Elwood V. Jensen is the Distinguished University Professor, George and Elizabeth Wile Chair in Cancer Research at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine's Vontz Center for Molecular Studies. In 2004 he received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his research on...
  
  , scientist
• David Ward King
  David Ward King
  David Ward King , a farmer who lived near Maitland, Missouri, was the inventor of the King road drag. His invention, which was the horse-drawn forerunner of the modern road grader, had great influence on American life because his invention improved the widespread dirt roads of his day to the extent...
  
  , inventor of the King Road Drag
• Ron Lancaster
  Ron Lancaster
  Ronald "Ron" Lancaster was one of the pre-eminent quarterbacks of the Canadian Football League during his playing career; after his retirement as a player, he was also coach and general manager in the same league, and a sports announcer for CBC Television...
  
  , Famed CFL
  Canadian Football League
  The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
  
   quarterback
• Pierre Lhomme
  Pierre Lhomme
  Pierre Lhomme is a French Director of Photography.-Filmography:*2002 : Le Divorce by James Ivory*1999 : Cotton Mary by Ismail Merchant*1998 : Voleur de vie by Yves Angelo...
  
  , Renowned French cinematographer
• Douglas E. Lumpkin
  Douglas E. Lumpkin
  Douglas E. Lumpkin, an Ohio civil servant, was appointed as the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services , Ohio's largest agency, and a member of the Ohio Governor's Cabinet, by Governor Ted Strickland on December 19, 2008...
  
  , director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
  Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
  The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, , a department that employs 4,000 full time employees, has an annual budget of more than $17 billion. ODJFS supervises the provision of Medicaid, food stamps, child welfare and child support in Ohio. Also, ODJFS provides services such as unemployment...
  
  
• Robert J. Marshall
  Robert J. Marshall
  Robert James Marshall was an American clergyman and religious leader who was president of the Lutheran Church in America in the 1970s, at the time the largest Lutheran church in the United States...
  
  , President of the Lutheran Church of America.
• William C. Martin
  William C. Martin
  William C. "Bill" Martin was University of Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Director from 2000 to 2010.Martin is president of the United States Sailing Foundation and also served as president of the U.S. Sailing Association, the national governing body of the sport of sailing from...
  
  , University of Michigan
  University of Michigan
  The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
  
   Athletic Director, 2000–2009; founder of First Martin Corp.; former director with the United States Olympic Committee
  United States Olympic Committee
  The United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
  
  
• John E. McLaughlin
  John E. McLaughlin
  John Edward McLaughlin is the former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and former Acting Director of Central Intelligence. McLaughlin is an accomplished magician and lectured on magic at the 2006 International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Convention in Miami, Florida...
  
  , former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
  Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
  The Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is a senior United States government official in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency...
  
  , senior fellow at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
  Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
  The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies , a division of Johns Hopkins University based in Washington, D.C., is one of the world's leading and most prestigious graduate schools devoted to the study of international affairs, economics, diplomacy, and policy research and...
  
   and Brookings Institution
  Brookings Institution
  The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and...
  
  ,
• Jere Ratcliffe
  Jere Ratcliffe
  Jere Brian Ratcliffe is a retired professional Scouter in the Boy Scouts of America who was the ninth Chief Scout Executive.-Background:Ratcliffe grew up in Springfield, Ohio, where he met his wife, the former Judy Jones. He was awarded Eagle Scout in 1955 and as an adult was presented with the...
  
  , Chief Scout Executive
  Chief Scout Executive
  The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director....
  
   of Boy Scouts of America
  Boy Scouts of America
  The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
  
  , from 1993 to 2000.
• Hugh M. Raup
  Hugh M. Raup
  Hugh Miller Raup was an American botanist, ecologist and geographer working on natural history and natural resource management in diverse regions - from tropical and temperate to arctic.He attended Wittenberg College, receiving an A.B. in 1923...
  
  , American botanist and ecologist
• Robert Bruce Raup
  Robert Bruce Raup
  Robert Bruce Raup , was a Professor in the Philosophy of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University. He was a well-known writer in the 1930s, whose writings were influenced by his own teacher and mentor, the American philosopher John Dewey...
  
  , philosopher and writer
• James Rebhorn
  James Rebhorn
  James Robert Rebhorn is an American character actor who has appeared in over 100 television shows, feature films and plays.-Personal life:...
  
  , actor
• Thomas D. Shepard
  Thomas D. Shepard
  Thomas D. Shepard, or Tom Shepard, was a Los Angeles City Council member between 1961 and 1967. He left office when he was convicted of receiving a bribe, and he served time in state prison.-Biography:...
  
  , Los Angeles City Council member, 1961–67
• Sheila Simon
  Sheila Simon
  Sheila J. Simon is an American politician and educator who is the 46th and current Lieutenant Governor of the state of Illinois. She was a Professor of Law at the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Simon is the daughter of former U.S...
  
  , Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
• B. V. Subbamma, Theologian from India
• Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr.
  Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr.
  Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr. was the American lawyer located in Springfield, Ohio, who wrote the "flying machine" patent application that resulted in the patent granted to Dayton inventors Wilbur and Orville Wright on May 22, 1906....
  
  , American lawyer who wrote the "flying machine
  Flying Machine
  "Flying Machine" is a two-track, US-only, promotional CD single release by British rock band The Stairs. Both tracks on the single also appear on the album Mexican R'n'B....
  
  " patent application that resulted in the patent granted to the Wright Brothers
  Wright brothers
  The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
  
   in 1906
• Adam Willis Wagnalls
  Adam Willis Wagnalls
  Adam Willis Wagnalls was an American publisher. He was the co-founder and co-eponym of the Funk & Wagnalls Company in 1877....
  
  , Funk & Wagnalls Company co-founder
• Walter L. Weaver
  Walter L. Weaver
  Walter Lowrie Weaver was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.Born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Weaver attended the public schools and Monroe Academy, and was graduated from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, in 1870. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1872 and commenced practice in...
  
  , U.S. Representative
  United States House of Representatives
  The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
  
   from Ohio
• Karl Weick
  Karl Weick
  Karl E. Weick is an American organizational theorist who is noted for introducing the notions of "loose coupling", "mindfulness", and "sensemaking" into organizational studies. He is the Rensis Likert Distinguished University Professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan...
  
  , organizational theorist at the University of Michigan
  University of Michigan
  The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
  
  

External links

• Official website
• Official Athletics website