Connect2 OWU
October 2021
Creating Tomorrow
The most successful campaign in Ohio Wesleyan history concludes with $237,995,578 in gifts and pledges – surpassing its stretch goal by nearly $13 million and helping to transform the OWU campus.Athens Democracy Forum
Ellie Bearss ’22 is one of 24 U.S. college students selected to participate in this year’s Athens Democracy Forum in Greece. Her “Art and Activism” video is played before a panel discussion on the topic.
The Veteran Narrative
Madison Miller ’22 earns nonprofit status for her organization, The Veteran Narrative. With offices in the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at OWU, Miller’s group advocates for veteran mental health awareness.
Career Taking Flight
Makenna Juergens ’23 works with Bowie, an eastern screech owl, during her internship with Dayton, Ohio’s Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Juergens hopes to become a zookeeper.
Smith Hall
Mariam Samkharadze ’25 says she likes living in OWU’s newly renovated residence hall for first-year students. “It is like we are together in this,” she says of the Class of 2025’s college transition.
Return to the Stage
Ali Dix ’24 (center) is one of 13 dancers scheduled to perform Nov. 12-13 in Ohio Wesleyan’s “Orchesis 21/22” contemporary dance concert.
An Impactful Opportunity
Ohio Wesleyan is hiring six faculty as a cohort to support OWU’s work to provide the most connected, innovative, and relevant education possible.
Chief Diversity Officer
Dawn Chisebe is named OWU’s new chief diversity officer. She will continue to lead, build, and strengthen OWU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and initiatives.
Spotlighting Abuse
Intimate partner violence is epidemic in the United States, Amy Butcher, OWU associate professor of English, writes in The New York Times. “We just don’t always hear about it.”
NFCA Academic Honors
Ten Battling Bishop softball players earn All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2020-2021 academic year from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. All have cumulative GPAs of 3.50 or higher.
Team Academic Award
The OWU men’s soccer team earns its ninth consecutive Team Academic Award from United Soccer Coaches. The 2020-2021 award marks the 11th time in 12 years, and 15th time overall, the team has been honored.
2021 Hall of Fame Inductees
Nine Battling Bishop standouts – including soccer player Tyler Wall ’11 (above right) and 33-year coach/athletics director Roger Ingles – are inducted into the Ohio Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame.
2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
Eight exceptional athletes – including swimmer David Gatz ’10 – are inducted into the OWU Athletics Hall of Fame. Charlie Hartigan ’75 earns the Strimer Honor Award and Catie Butt ’91 the Gauthier Award.
Rock On, OWU!
Ohio Wesleyan students celebrate the semester with events including Late Night @ Smith, featuring a trivia contest hosted by local drag queen Robyn Heart (left). (Photo by David Shakarashvili ’24)Hispanic Film Festival
OWU, Strand Theatre Showcase
Hispanic Films Through Nov. 9