March 2026
National Champs!
Connor Smith ’27 (left) takes the No. 1 spot in the men’s high jump final at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships – OWU’s first win in the competition since 2002. Bishop teammate Katherine Dortmund ’28 breaks her own OWU record to claim the No. 3 spot in the women’s track & field national championship in the 60-meter hurdles.
Determination. Dedication. Success! 
Threads of Knowledge
Professor Jeff Nilan (from left), Elsa Hoam ’27, Josiah Montgomery ’27, and Professor Craig Jackson present at the 2025 Generative Art International Conference in Italy.
‘Dynamics’ Duo
Cord Podolan ’26 (left) and Mack Fincham ’26 present a poster of research findings at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics in Houston, Texas.
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Writing His Ticket
Devon Haley ’26 presents research at the national meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and prepares findings for journal submission.
Learning Lightbulb
Nathan Dacek ’27 tutors local children part of the Bishop Scholars program. He has been inspired by the work to add an Educational Studies minor.
‘Impact Immediately’
Aryaka Tickoo ’26 (left) wins the Big Problem Challenge for her work on the impact of large-scale data centers, and Luis Cañas Jr. ’28 wins Pitch OWU for his youth soccer training app.
Globally Ranked
Ohio Wesleyan ranks among the world’s top 23% Best Universities and top 29% Best Value Universities for international students seeking to study abroad, according to Study Abroad Aide.
‘Romeo & Juliet’
Max Baker ’26 (right) and Kaya Ferrell ’26 play the title characters in the senior capstone production of the Shakespeare classic, directed by Pedro Figueiredo ’26.
‘Into the Woods’
The Department of Performing Arts presents the Stephen Sondheim musical beginning April 10. Director Jennifer Whitehead calls the play an “entertaining cautionary tale.”
Strengthening the Workforce
OWU expands its graduate school pathway with Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School, adding a Master of Accountancy.
Historic Happening
Ohio Wesleyan earns full accreditation with The United Methodist Church, affirming a relationship that dates back to OWU’s founding.
This ’Shop Rolls
Bishop running back and Zoology major Devon Haley ’26 is recognized by the National Football Foundation Columbus Chapter as one of central Ohio’s top athletes on and off the field.
Hot Shot
Women’s basketball player Alyssa Griner ’26 hits the 1000-point milestone, becoming the 21st player in OWU history to do so and joining teammate Macy Miller ’27 in the achievement.
Thinking Big
The OWU women’s field hockey program earns a National Academic Team Award, recognizing the Bishops for achieving a combined grade point average of at least 3.50 during the fall semester.
Bishop Blitz
The OWU women’s basketball team makes it to the second round of the NCAA Division III championship and earns two top NCAC awards, with Macy Miller ’27 named the 2026 NCAC Player of the Year and head coach Cody Hartzler’s staff recognized as the 2026 NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Miller also earns All-NCAC First Team recognition and is named a Jostens Trophy finalist, while teammates Maddie Ebbert ’27 and Alyssa Griner ’26 receive All-NCAC Third Team honors.
Congratulations, Bishops!
It’s All Happening!
Join OWU in April and May
for these community events
Learn More
March 18: ‘A Designer’s Journey’
Shirley Paden-Bernstein ’73
discusses her international career
Learn More
March 25: Power Ploy
Political scientist Jeffrey Ding
explores the ‘U.S-China AI Race’
Learn More
March 31: Ballot Battles
Author Ric S. Sheffield discusses
Ohio’s history with the Black vote
Learn More
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