Donor Spotlight: Wheelers’ Decades of Service to SSU

The Wheelers first began their involvement with SSU when the school was still Shawnee State Community College. Their young daughters participated in a summer enrichment program and the family was impressed with the opportunities that were available at that time in the area. From there, their involvement with the school grew.

“I think the university is one of the greatest things that Vern Riffe ever did for southern Ohio,” said Wayne, talking about the impact SSU Founder and former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Vern Riffe, Jr. “As an open-enrollment university, anyone who wanted to try to get a college education could. The fact that Shawnee State provided two-year degree programs was great for the area, and I think Shawnee State can continue raising the intellectual content of southern Ohio as it has since its conception, and specifically since it has become a university.”

Giving back has always been important to the Wheelers. Saundra spent several years supporting SSU faculty Stan Workman, John Huston, and Shirley Crothers-Marley as part of a performing arts board to bring Southern Ohio Light Opera to Portsmouth. She also served on the search committee to bring the first Executive Director to the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts when the facility opened.

Wayne and Saundra have been an instrumental part of the SSU Development Foundation Board. Wayne began serving in the 1980’s, and since then, the two have each served several terms on the Board until Wayne’s retirement in May 2021. During their tenures on the board, both have been part of several campaigns, have given generously, and assisted with planning several events and President’s Galas.

“It goes back to the basic belief that as much is given as much is expected,” said Saundra. “I think we saw a lot of people going to Shawnee State who probably would have also not been able to afford to go other places. I thought that if we could contribute to make Shawnee State a place that people would want to attend, it would make the community a better place to live and work as well as improve the quality of life for those who attended SSU.”

The Wheelers weren’t just active at SSU, but also with many groups and

Celebrating 40 Years of Service with Wayne & Saundra Wheeler

Dr. Wayne and Saundra Wheeler have been a part of Shawnee State University and the SSU Development Foundation for over 40 years. Early in 2021, they decided to retire from that service and the Portsmouth area and have moved closer to family.

organizations in Portsmouth. Wayne served the Scioto County Medical Society for over 20 years. Saundra was part of the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association Board for over 20 years, and served in various capacities on the Friends of Southern Ohio Medical Center Board, the group responsible for raising funds to build the SOMC Friends Center. Saundra is proud of the 20 years she served on Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center’s Board. Both have been supporters of the Scioto Foundation, Wayne serving on the Board and Board Chair as well as serving on the Donor Services Committee. Saundra was an organizer of Portsmouth Area Ladies, Inc. Second Presbyterian Church is very dear to both of them, having been members and served on many boards and committees since moving to Portsmouth in 1982.

Wayne served as a professor in the Occupational Therapy program at SSU during the campaign to receive approval for the Master of Occupational Therapy in 2008 and acted as Medical Director of the Paramedic Program at SSU.

Wayne and Saundra also express their gratitude for SSU’s stellar education curriculum, “Our youngest daughter took advantage of the post-secondary program while a student at Portsmouth High School which was beneficial to her.”

“When our middle daughter decided to change her career path from law and apply to medical school, she didn’t have the science requirements necessary to receive acceptance, so she attended Shawnee State prior to attending medical school,” said Saundra. “Her experience at SSU served her well both academically and socially.”

“Thanks to Shawnee State and the faculty there, she was able to receive the high-quality education that was rivaled by no other,” Wayne added. “I have attended a number of well-known universities, and I can confirm that the exposure and experience she received at Shawnee State was equal to the other bigger campuses in the United States.”

Wayne and Saundra will continue to follow and support Shawnee State University and wish to express their appreciation for being asked to be a part of the Shawnee State University success story.

To all our donors,

Thank you for your continued investment in Shawnee State University. As a result of your gifts, time, and expertise, SSU is raising the level of excellence across campus. New undergraduate students grew by 17% and College Credit Plus student grew by over 30% this fall over last year. Three times as many new graduate students started SSU in fall 2022.

For the new academic year, I am happy to share several exciting milestones. Plastics Engineering Technology earned the gold standard, ABET accreditation. The C.H. Lute School of Business was established to expand our slate of undergraduate and new graduate business programs. We continue our reign as the top undergraduate game design program in Ohio and the #9 program in the country. The Kricker Innovation Hub was recognized as a leading destination in America for rural technology entrepreneurship and innovation and was named a prestigious EDA Build-to-Scale Award site. Athletics has added six junior varsity programs that make intercollegiate competition a reality for more students now than ever. This doesn’t happen without you.

We need your help to keep pushing forward. Studies show that concern over debt and questions about the ROI of a four-year degree are keeping potential students in Appalachian Ohio from attending college. Yet, we know that almost every new job created in Ohio over the past decade requires a college degree.With the expansion of advanced manufacturing, the emerging AI and cyber workforce, and an explosion of health care technologies, this number will only increase in the years to come.

Shawnee State is committed to its access mission and to providing high quality, low-cost college degree options. Your continued support makes that possible by keeping SSU tuition among the lowest in the state and through the Friends of Shawnee Scholarship and SSU Free Tuition program. Together we are advancing the region one student at a time and are so grateful that you are part of this outstanding university.

ERIC ANDREW BRAUN

Vice President for Advancement & Enrollment Management

1986 HERITAGE SOCIETY

Honoring individuals who have made a commitment to support Shawnee State University through a future gift. Membership is open to individuals who provide some form of documentation of their intent.

Cheryl & Dan Berndt Fred Brisker William & Barbara Burke Drs. Francis Byrne & Julia Coll Dr. William & Marika Esham Gary ‘00 & Marilyn Hairston Allen & Rita Hanson Neal & Vicky Hatcher Alma & Cyrus Kahl James Kricker Janet & Harry Kuhner Ron & Connie LeMaster Chris & Marilyn Lute Kevin McCahill ‘00 Ann McCarthy Mark & Debra Morgan Dr. Burton & Leona Payne Portsmouth Rotary Club Kenneth Rase Kay & Thomas Reynolds Faye Sherman Bob & Regina Smith Dr. Yong & Lucia Song South Shore Rotary Club Jim & Sally Staker Genevieve & Miller Toombs Dr. Clive & Jean Veri Frank Waller Janis Waller Mickey & Susan Warsaw Dr. Wayne & Saundra Wheeler Diana Wood