Faculty & Staff Notes | continued
COLLECTIVE GIVING HONORS WABASH LEGENDS by Allie Northcutt “
W
HEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER, good things happen.”
That proclamation made by David Miller H’05, father of Wabash wrestler Adam Miller ’05, was repeatedly exemplified over the past five years as groups of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends collectively came together in an effort to support current and future Wabash students as part of the Giant Steps Campaign. A handful of endowed funds created during the campaign were initially established by one individual or a small group of donors. These funds grew over time as more benefactors were inspired to contribute.
Here are just a few of those funds:
The Dr. Lester L. Hearson H’70 Scholarship As a way to show their gratitude for retired Biology Professor and Administrator Lester Hearson’s continued impact on the College and its alumni, Dr. Randy Williams ’83, Dr. John Roberts ’83, and Dr. Chris Leagre ’83 established an endowed scholarship in his honor. The Dr. Lester L. Hearson H’70 Scholarship will provide support for Wabash students in their junior and senior years who have achieved academic excellence and intend to pursue a career in the health sciences. In addition to their financial contributions, Williams and Roberts played an essential role in gathering funding from a growing group of supporters who learned from and were mentored by Hearson. So far, more than a dozen other alumni have contributed to the scholarship. “We hope this scholarship continues the legacy that Dr. Hearson started,” says Williams. “We want to give students who are heavily invested in academic excellence and have compassion for others the ability to pursue health sciences at Wabash and beyond.” 94 W A B A S H M A G A Z I N E
Dr. John F. Zimmerman H’67 Fund for Innovative Teaching and Technology Several alumni took a giant step for the College’s chemistry department by establishing a fund that honors beloved Chemistry Professor John Zimmerman H’67. The Dr. John F. Zimmerman H’67 Fund for Innovative Teaching and Technology will support course design that incorporates new technology, novel teaching practices utilizing technology within existing courses, the replacement and updating of lab instruments, and associated upgrades to Hays Science Hall classroom technology that support teaching innovation. Fund donors include Russ Bostick ’79, Bryan Daniels ’81, Chris Halkides ’83, Ray Knight ’69, Frank Kolisek ’82, Brad Maxwell ’83, Scott Rathgaber ’84, Tom Roberts ’70, Mark Simmons ’73, and John Van Drie ’74. Initial gifts and commitments to the fund from generous benefactors topped $400,000, President Scott Feller reported when the fund was first announced, and that total has grown even more over time.
Class of 1966 Lodge The Class of 1966 collectively raised nearly $3.3 million to name the last housing unit in the Ott Residential Life District as part of a reunion class gift. Not only was this the firstever 55th reunion class gift, but it was one of the biggest class gifts in Wabash’s history. The naming project was led by Dave Krattebol ’66 and class agent Cal Black ’66. The duo spent months making phone calls, sending letters, and writing emails in an effort to connect with classmates and collect gifts. Their hard work paid off as more than 80 class members made a gift to the lodge project. Additionally, two endowed scholarships were created and six new planned gifts were disclosed by members of the class, which President Scott Feller says will “further cement the class’s legacy.”
