Have You Heard
Fra Hampton
David “DJ” Hampton II (Alfred, '98), President & CEO of Trident United Way, reflects on a lifelong connection to the organization that began as a child needing speech therapy and evolved into a deep commitment through planned giving. Without hesitation, Hampton recalls, “I remember the first three times I donated to a nonprofit.” His journey started early—when he was a child in elementary school, he needed speech therapy funded by United Way. He went on to become the first in his family to graduate college, earning advanced degrees along the way. His initial gifts were a heartfelt “thank you” to his alma mater, then to his fraternity, and soon after to United Way itself.
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Octagonian
Hampton’s career path through the United Way network began with a fellowship in Central Alabama, where he learned firsthand the power of community-driven problem-solving. “I saw what an incredible gift to the community United Way was, and I realized that I didn’t want to live in any community that didn’t have a strong United Way,” he said. Today, Hampton and his wife Allison support United Way with multiple planned gifts and are updating their estate plans to ensure lasting impact. Allison Grayson, a fellow United Way alum and philanthropy scholar, emphasizes the role of United Way as a unifying force in communities, “One of the few places that promotes unity over division and sets the table for the entire community.” Hampton echoes this sentiment, adding, “At the end of the day, the people in your will are the people you love. And so, any organization that you leave in your will, you are saying that you love that organization like you do a loved one.” For Hampton, this spirit of togetherness is deeply personal. Growing up in a small town where neighbors helped each other shovel snow or get through tough times, he reflects, “No man is an island... United Way does that at the community level. We work with partners, community foundations, and local governments. I am proud to be a co-investor in that work.”
Fra Osterman
Fra Zach Osterman Wins 2025 Jim O’Connell Award Sportswriter Zach Osterman (Indiana, '05) of the Indianapolis Star has been honored with the 2025 Jim O’Connell Award, bestowed by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) for excellence in beat reporting. “In a season of upheaval at Indiana University, Osterman kept viewers, readers and the program grounded with clear, consistent coverage.” Osterman earned the award after covering a demanding season for the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team—including the departure of coach Mike Woodson, the search for his replacement and a missed NCAA tournament berth. USBWA president Stu Durando described Osterman’s work as both “prolific” and “authoritative,” highlighting his versatility across breaking news, feature writing and analysis. A graduate of Indiana University, Osterman has covered IU athletics through major shifts and challenges for more than a decade. With this honor, he becomes the sixth journalist to receive the Jim O’Connell Award since its inception.