1888 Bench Program

If Tiffin University has impacted your life, ‘save your seat’ by participating in our 1888 Bench Program.

The 1888 Bench Program, recognizing the year TU was established, is a visible and innovative way to support Tiffin University by providing attractive seating for our community to relax and enjoy the beautiful campus.

Picture your bench in a place on campus that bears special meaning or memories for you. You can give a meaningful gift to honor a loved one, your family, a milestone, a friend, a beloved professor, your business, a special occasion or your TU pride. A personalized plaque will be placed on your bench in recognition of your generosity.

Don’t miss out on this unique and exciting opportunity! Claim your bench by making a one-time gift of $1,888 by making a recurring gift. Benches will be installed upon full payment. Funds from unfulfilled pledges will be directed toward the annual fund.

For more information, please contact Mikki King, Director of Annual Giving, at kingmr@ tiffin.edu or 419.448.3443.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF A DRAGON TALE

History tends to repeat itself, and sometimes, it can create family traditions.

For the Bock-Loy family, being a Tiffin Dragon has been a tradition for the past three generations. Their connection to Tiffin University goes back to 1944 when Bernice Bock was the first in the family to graduate from TU. When it was time for her daughter, Kathy (Bock) Loy 1976, to attend college, Kathy knew without a doubt to enroll at TU and continue the legacy.

“I chose TU because of its reputation, program offerings and small size,” said Kathy, “and my mother went there.” Kathy holds tremendous pride in being a TU graduate. She values the school’s academic reputation and all the lifelong friends she made as a student and as a sister in the Alpha Iota sorority.

The tradition continued with Kathy’s daughter, Amber (Loy) Selhorst Hare 2016. “I always knew I would attend and graduate from Tiffin University like my mom and grandma,” said Amber. “Tiffin treated my family well, so it was a no-brainer to earn my degree from TU.”

Their college legacy was something to be celebrated. When Kathy graduated in 1976, her mother had a brick placed in the courtyard to commemorate the two generations of graduates. To keep the tradition, Kathy wanted to place a brick for her daughter. “When my daughter graduated, I got thinking about the brick and what it would mean to have something like that with all three of our names and graduation years,” said Kathy. “Especially, what it would mean to my mom who is no longer with us.”

Kathy reached out to Tiffin University and learned that the brick program was finished. “I had to come up with something else,” said Kathy. After multiple discussions with her family and the staff at TU, Kathy kept coming back to the idea of a bench with a personalized plaque. “I wanted a place where current students could sit and take a break, and also note our three generations of TU graduates.”

Her vision came true when TU created the 1888 Bench Program. The program, recognizing the year TU was established, is a visible and innovative way to support TU by providing attractive seating and honoring alumni and friends.

“When TU created the program, there was no question as to whether or not we would participate,” said Kathy. “To say I was excited is an understatement. I wanted to do something to show the pride I have for my mother, my daughter and myself. It’s not too often that you find three generations of university graduates.”

Kathy and her family are one of the first to participate in the 1888 Bench Program. She hopes other alumni will join the program to honor someone or a milestone in their life. “The bench is a lasting legacy; it will be seen often and will be on campus for countless years to come. I hope my family’s bench shows others that there is more to TU than just earning an education. Tiffin University is a great place for families to create their own legacies. I know in my heart that this would have made my mother so happy, and that means everything to me.”