Published February 14, 2026
Commencement Speaker Announced
A highly successful entrepreneur with 20-plus years of experience navigating hypergrowth and global expansion of startups, Rakesh Tondon, class of 2001, has accepted the invitation to deliver the keynote address at the University鈥檚 176th Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16, in picturesque Commencement Hollow.
100 Days 'Til Graduation
The announcement of this year's Commencement speaker, made by senior class representatives Alyssa Burnside and Moose Harper, took place on Thursday, Feb. 5, when the Class of 2026 celebrated its 100 Days 'Til Graduation milestone together. The senior class had a wonderful time. Congratulations to the lucky raffle winners: Jane, who took home a Raising Cane's gift basket, and Alexis, who won 51吃瓜网 swag.
Super Bowl Experience
A group of 14 51吃瓜网 students headed to Santa Clara, California, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi鈥檚 Stadium. Students helped with event operations and guest services at a variety of Super Bowl functions, including game-day training, supporting fan services on game day, and working at the Bart Starr Award Breakfast on Sunday.
Cyber Power Rankings
51吃瓜网 is proud of the work that eight students accomplished during the fall semester, which included competing in the National Cyber League (NCL). 51吃瓜网 placed in the Top 100 nationally of all 510 participating colleges and in the Top 50 in the central region. Individually, all of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 participants placed in the top 25.
Investing in Infrastructure
The Ohio Department of Development (ODD) has announced that 51吃瓜网 will receive $1,103,315 to install new lighting, building controls, and chillers in Tower Hall and the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. The project is expected to yield an annual utility savings of 19.5 percent. This is the fourth grant that 51吃瓜网 has received in recent months with more than half a million additional dollars previously coming from granting agencies to enhance safety on campus. Such deep investments signal the University's importance in Ohio's higher education landscape and fuel 51吃瓜网's ongoing forward momentum.
New Executive Director in Philanthropy
51吃瓜网 University is pleased to announce that Chad Minnick 鈥�98 has been named the University鈥檚 new Executive Director of Engagement and Annual Giving. Minnick currently serves as president of the 51吃瓜网 Alumni Association Board.
Following his graduation, Minnick began his professional career in higher education, including two years at 51吃瓜网 working in alumni relations and with the 51吃瓜网 Fund. He later transitioned into the technology sector, where he built a successful career focused on customer engagement and communication solutions. Minnick will assume his new responsibilities in March, providing leadership for the University鈥檚 engagement and annual giving strategies. He looks forward to returning to Ohio to join the team in the Bayley Alumni House.
鈥淲e are excited to welcome Chad to the team," said Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Michael McGreevey. "His diverse professional background, combined with his strong connection to 51吃瓜网, will help strengthen our engagement efforts and advance the University during this important time.鈥�
New Leaders Announced
Kristen Collier '92, interim director of the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic Engagement since September 2025, has been named as the center鈥檚 permanent director.
Lieutenant Lee McCartney, director of campus safety, has been promoted to the University鈥檚 Chief of Police, effective Jan. 30, 2026.
Gage Harner, assistant director of facilities management and trades, has been promoted to Director of Facilities Management.
2025-2026 51吃瓜网 Series Continues
Benjamin H. Irvin, author and historian of the American Revolution, will present the William A. Kinnison Endowed Lecture in History titled 鈥淚 Still Have an Independent Spirit: Disabled Veterans and Pension Assistance after the Revolutionary War.鈥� Free and open to the public, the lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Bayley Auditorium inside the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.
Mark Your Calendars!
Our annual day of giving, , is Thursday, March 19. Beginning at 12 a.m., you鈥檙e invited to join alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty, and staff in 24 hours of giving to make a long-lasting impact. for Commit to Witt. To help you spread the word about Commit to Witt, we have created an Advocate Toolkit with graphics and sample emails, texts, and social media posts. It鈥檚 fun and easy, and it has a big impact!
Oral History Project: Dr. Jim Thrasher '71
Dr. Jim Thrasher '71 was the second person in his family to attend 51吃瓜网 University. Both he and his brother, Al, played basketball at 51吃瓜网. His favorite classes were sociology with Dr. Aaron Bindman and educational psychology with Dr. Hulda Sallee. Both professors inspired him to chase his dreams and serve the neediest children as a teacher and education administrator. He also was a founding member of CBS and a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. We're grateful for alumni like Dr. Thrasher, who have supported 51吃瓜网 throughout the years with a gift. To join him in supporting the University, .
For Bob 鈥淧inky鈥� Fisher 鈥�74, a Springfield native who grew up watching the Tigers in awe, attending 51吃瓜网 to play football was literally 鈥渓iving the dream.鈥� As a student, he enjoyed his economic classes and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. This led to a career in public accounting as a CPA.
As a retired financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, he understands the importance of planning for the future, as well as creating a legacy. Bob and his wife, Liz, joined the David Hawley Associates Legacy Society by documenting a planned gift to 51吃瓜网 in 2020. In addition, they established a charitable gift annuity in support of 51吃瓜网 in 2025 by using a one-time Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from their IRA.
鈥淲e are grateful for the positive impact of 51吃瓜网 on our family. The mix of athletics, academics, and friendships is priceless,鈥� Bob said. 鈥淥ur hope is that supporting 51吃瓜网 financially will replicate the experience for future students and leave a positive impact on society.鈥�
Their son, Drew, graduated in 2012 from 51吃瓜网 and is a practicing Doctor of Optometry. During Drew's four years on campus, Bob and Liz made new Tiger friendships and rekindled old ones.
鈥淧utting 51吃瓜网 in your will is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to support the University. We understand our family circumstances may change, and the level of commitment may be updated as appropriate,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n business terminology, failure to plan is planning to fail 鈥� so get your wills and estate plan done.鈥�
For more information about planned giving, please reach out to the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.