Giving Tribute Fall 2015

GIVING

TRIBUTE ForLoveandHonor.org

ADVAN CEMENT NEWS AT M I A M I UN I V ER SI T Y

Issue 23 // Fall 2015

Miami University: Equal opportunity in education and employment.

Produced by University Advancement 12/15/5K POST

GIVINGTRIBUTE

A more creative and innovative Miami Hodge delivers final president’s address In his 10th and final annual address, Miami President David Hodge shared his insights on how Miamians can embrace the assertion that “creativity can be taught” and other ideas focusing on Miami University’s Year of Creativity and Innovation.

President Hodge enthusiastically shared examples of what Miami is doing right in the areas of creativity and innovation. These included the Top 25 Initiative, which promotes inquiry-based learning; new forwardthinking department units such as biology, global and intercultural studies, and media, journalism and film; a restructuring of Miami regional campuses; and other examples of faculty, staff and students approaching

He also shared thoughts on how faculty, staff and students can bring curiosity, fearlessness and passion to the pursuit of new ideas.

“Those who can create and innovate have enormous potential to tap into a global market or to extend the reach of their efforts with incredible impact in almost any field imaginable,” he said, adding that now is a

Each stop of the Creators, Innovators and Illuminators Tour features a local Miamian who is using creativity and innovation to

because rapid changes and broad globalization

the final Miami national tour for

challenge us all.

special event hosts President David

The president’s remarks kicked off Miami’s Year of

Hodge and University Ambassador Valerie Hodge.

Creativity and Innovation. The theme is emphasized on campus through the efforts of the Miamideas steering committee, which is involving dozens of faculty, staff and students; and nationally through Miami’s Creators, Innovators, Illuminators Tour, which

In exploring the themes, President Hodge discussed

and initiative.

stimulating venues designed to

leave a mark on the world. It marks

The full transcript of the president’s remarks can be

fearlessness, knowledge, collaboration, persistence

and interactive presentations at

critical time to focus on creativity and innovation

is involving and engaging alumni.

people, including curiosity, motivation/passion,

Join alumni and friends for fun

inspire your creative side.

challenges and opportunities in distinctive ways.

the most important traits of creative and innovative

Creators, Innovators, Illuminators

CREATORS, INNOVATORS, ILLUMINATORS TOUR 2016 Jan. 30

Los Angeles

Feb. 13

San Francisco

March 2 Toledo, Ohio

found at MiamiOH.edu/President, under Reports and Speeches. The video of his speech can be viewed on YouTube.com by searching for “Miami University Presidential Address 2015.”

■

April 10

Washington, D.C.

April 21

Columbus, Ohio

April 23 Cincinnati May 26

Chicago

Get the latest on event details and additional dates by visiting

LEARN MORE AT MIAMIOH.EDU/MIAMIDEAS

Goals of Miami’s Year of Creativity and Innovation:

AMIDEAS I M

1. Aspire to produce more creative and innovative graduates through curriculum and programming that inspire these capacities within students.

C+I 2

N VI

TI

E

O

CR

A TI

2. Become an even more creative and innovative university, utilizing the innate creativity of faculty, staff and students.

A T Y + I N N OV

ForLoveandHonor.org

3. Enhance Miami’s reputation nationally and internationally as a university producing exceptionally creative and innovative graduates.

MiamiAlum.org/CreatorsInnovators.

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Transformational Lang gift supports women scholars Fund supports research for women graduate students Patricia Breen Lang ’60, ’64 M.Ed. has counseled troubled youth, modeled on a runway, stood with civil rights leaders, flourished in two careers, traveled the world, and been a servant and a leader in her community.

In her words, it has been a life spent simply living each day to its ultimate good.

It is a life, though, that did not begin until she discovered her own value as an intelligent, strong and beautiful woman while an undergraduate and graduate student at Miami University.

Lang and her husband, Stephen, recently made a transformational investment in Miami’s Graduate School and in empowering future generations of bright, talented women to achieve their own ultimate good. The $1 million gift, one of the largest in the school’s history, supports and expands research opportunities for women pursuing graduate degrees by creating endowed funding for awards, stipends, assistantships, travel funds and

weathering challenge. It was an emotionally and physically abusive home where there was little belief in educating women.

For all the darkness in her young life, there was good—a minister, a principal and a group of teachers who recognized her plight and came to her aid. Without her father’s knowledge, they assisted her in applying to Miami,

From left: Patricia Lang, James Oris and Steven Lang.

securing a scholarship and leaving her home to become a ward of the state.

“I want to support women who have a dream, a desire, a compulsion.”

– PATRICIA BREEN LANG ’60, ’64 M.ED.

In addition to working toward a degree in education, Lang became a wife and a mother while at Miami. She balanced it all, graduating in summer 1960. Four years later, the mother of two

“Patricia strongly believes that a graduate education

education at Miami.

choose,” said James Oris, associate provost for research and scholarship and dean of the graduate school. “Perhaps the only thing more gratifying and inspiring than her and Stephen’s investment in that idea is Patricia’s own life example.”

From the day Lang went to live with her father and

she participated in workshops and dialogues with leading black activists in Memphis, Tenn., and

research exchanges.

empowers women to follow any path in life they

During the racially charged tumult of the 1960s,

and high school teacher completed her master’s of

Lang was still discovering her own strength.

She spent the first 25 years of her career as a teacher and therapist in a mental health center.

After a divorce, she met Stephen at her church, and they together built a highly successful property management company.

Birmingham, Ala. She was a runway model until the age of 60 and once modeled for a life drawing class at the University of Memphis, more for developing her own confidence than the value to the students.

Never one to remain at rest, Lang has tutored reading to adults and served on a variety of non-profit committees and panels serving the underserved. She also has been a regular judge at the annual Miami University Graduate Research Forum.

For Lang, her gift to Miami comes from a desire to return a life-changing opportunity.

“It was on the campus of Miami University that I came to believe in my own worth and dignity,” Lang said. “I am forever grateful that others were so good to me, and I have a responsibility to give something back.”

■

stepmother at the age of 10, her life was all about

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GIVINGTRIBUTE

THE MIAMI PROMISE F O R LOV E A N D H O N O R . O R G / S C H O L A R S H I P S

Millhaems invest in future engineers through scholarship Scholarship takes advantage of Match the Promise program Bill’s greatest takeaway from his Miami career

To Bill ’80 and Anne Zsembik

came outside the classroom, when he came

Millhaem ’83 Miami University

to the rescue of Anne, then a high school

is about more than the quality

senior visiting her sister, Betty Zsembik Taylor

education they received or even the

’80, at Miami.

chance meeting that led to them

“My sister was a social butterfly, and she

becoming husband and wife.

abandoned me at a party,” Anne recalled. “Bill was roommates with a guy she was friends

“We feel strongly about the education and

with, and we met and struck up a conversation.”

opportunities we received at Miami,” Bill said.

“There’s that version of the American Dream where

After three years of Bill burning up U.S.

children should have a better lifestyle than their

Highway 27 from Cincinnati to Oxford for

parents, and Miami, through the grounding it gave

pinball and pizza bread dates at Mac and Joe’s,

us, made that a reality.”

the couple was married in June 1983 following Anne’s graduation.

The Millhaems recently made a $50,000 gift— bolstered by a $50,000 corporate match from General Electric (GE)—to create and endow The Bill and Anne Millhaem Excellence in Engineering

While the couple had discussed endowing

“[Match the Promise] got us ready to

a Miami scholarship, the university’s Match the Promise endowed scholarship program provided

Scholarship. The recruitment scholarship will be

move. If we were considering making that

awarded to one or more undergraduate students

commitment anyway, why not maximize

in Miami’s College of Engineering and Computing

match on endowed recruitment scholarships of at

the impact on Miami students by taking

least $50,000.

(CEC) based on academic merit.

For Bill, the product general manager for GE Aviation’s GE90 engine that powers the Boeing 777 aircraft, the scholarship demonstrates confidence in a Miami engineering education that provided him a well-rounded skillset beyond engineering. It also reflects his belief that a new generation of engineers is crucial to maintaining America’s place in the global economy.

Bill’s 30-plus year career at GE was the result of a rather impromptu discussion during the car ride to his freshman orientation.

advantage of a great opportunity?”

– BILL MILLHAEM ’80

“Dad asked me what I was going to study, and I said ‘good question,’” Bill said. “We talked about how I liked math and science, and dad said I should be an

ForLoveandHonor.org

A past member of Miami’s CEC Advisory Board, Bill is pleased with the college’s direction and motivated by a national need for more students in engineering.

“There are a lot of smart young people in the U.S.,”

engineer. I’d never really thought about that.”

Bill said. “We want to help those with an interest

It was a natural fit, and Bill appreciated the small class

leaders who will help the U.S. maintain a preeminent

sizes, the diverse backgrounds of his professors and the

position in the global economy.”

in engineering to get an education and become the

■

camaraderie within Miami’s engineering program. He particularly valued a curriculum that was broader than traditional engineering and which included courses in business, chemistry and even meteorology.

4

the added push. The program offers a university

Visit ForLoveandHonor.org/MiamiPromise to learn more about the Miami Promise Scholarship and the Match the Promise endowed scholarship program.

LIVES T R A N S FO R M E D

Read these and other student impact stories at ForLoveandHonor.org/Impact.

When Anthony Thompson started playing piano

In addition to performing on stage and discovering

in the first grade, his mother had to drag him to

opportunities to communicate powerful social

lessons and keep him in lessons.

messages through the arts, Thompson has used his

Now as a Miami sophomore, Thompson is grateful for his mother’s patience and the lifelong passion for music he eventually discovered.

“Through my scholarship support,

talents on the piano to compose original music

people I don’t personally know

for Miami theatrical

believe in what I have to offer this

productions. He also is a

campus and what this university has to offer me.”

resident assistant and a student ambassador for the College of Creative Arts.

He also is appreciative of a university that is providing him opportunities

While his many commitments make for a busy life,

to showcase his skills and develop in new and

Thompson appreciates the well-rounded experience.

challenging ways.

“All the hype about Miami is true,” Thompson said.

Anthony Thompson ’18

“I don’t feel like I’m limited to just one craft or focus

“I witness that every day in the dedicated professors

THEATRE

at Miami,” Thompson said. “Through Miami’s liberal

and the level at which we’re asked to achieve. It’s a

CINCINNATI

arts emphasis, I’ve been able to study so many areas

special place for students who want to transform

and be shaped in so many different ways.”

themselves.”

Ameera Aburmaieleh misses Miami already.

Aburmaieleh pursued teaching because she wanted

The early education major, who graduated in December 2015, spent her final Miami semester student teaching in the Columbus area. While teaching children is her passion, it is hard to let go of a Miami Experience she describes as “amazing.”

to make a difference in the lives of children. In addition to her education, she found opportunities outside of the classroom that taught her about teamwork and leadership.

“Without the scholarship, I don’t know if I would have been able to finish my education at Miami.

It would have broken my heart.”

own way through college, and financial concerns threatened her dream of earning a Miami degree prior to her junior year.

“Miami changed me in ways that I never thought possible,” Aburmaieleh said. “I made friends I will cherish for a lifetime and

Ameera Aburmaieleh ’15

Aburmaieleh was paying her

was provided experiences that will help me both as a teacher in the classroom and in my life. I will never

Fortunately, Mike ’61 and Anne ’61 Armstrong created the Armstrong SEAL Scholars program for students, like Aburmaieleh, who are leaders outside the classroom.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

forget the feeling of ‘home’ I experience whenever

“I was involved in the community and outside class

DELAWARE, OHIO

I’m on campus.”

because I loved it and wanted to do it,” Aburmaieleh said. “To be rewarded for that was very meaningful.”

As Patrick Flavin enters his sophomore year, you

the support we get as student-athletes really helps

might wonder just what he has left to accomplish.

us find our paths. I think there’s a bond between

As a freshman on Miami’s men’s golf team, Flavin helped lead the Red and White to the Mid-American Conference Championship while garnering MAC Freshman

for the opportunities provided him as a

Division I All-Midwest

only to be able to excel athletically

scholarship student-athlete

but to really be a top-of-the-class student and a good person.”

conquered calculus and

HIGHWOOD, ILL.

Now a year wiser, Flavin has a renewed appreciation

“Graduating Champions means not

In the classroom, Flavin

QUANTITATIVE ECONOMICS

to get here, and we’re living a dream here.”

of the Year and PING Region accolades.

Patrick Flavin ’18

Miami’s student-athletes because we all worked hard

and the work ethic expected of him as a Miami student and varsity athlete.

discovered he genuinely enjoys the subject. Despite

“It’s great being part of this group of hard workers—

those accomplishments, he understands Miami still

guys who really want to win,” Flavin said. “Just

has a lot more to offer.

seeing myself and my teammates getting better

“Even as a freshman, I felt like I learned so much,” Flavin said. “The professors are amazing, and all

every day and going up against and beating the best players in college golf is what it’s all about.”

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GIVINGTRIBUTE

M I A M I O H . E D U / G R A D U AT I N G C H A M P I O N S

Gift celebrates hockey goalie’s life of passion, purpose Support funds scholarship and hockey shooting room The Miami Hockey Shooting Room named in

Twenty-eight years is too short a life,

Whit’s memory features a floor surface that

but for Jonathan “Whit” Whitacre

simulates ice, replica surroundings including

’10, the number of years lived is

hockey boards and glass, and a photo background

secondary to the way he lived them.

complete with goal judge and fans. Prominently centered toward the back is a lone hockey goal.

A back-up goalie on Miami’s varsity ice hockey team from 2006-2009, Whit died in a 2013 plane

“Whit was a kid who loved to dress up in play

crash while training to be an agricultural pilot.

costumes,” Bob recalled. “I think being able to

His decision to become a crop duster came after

put on all those goalie pads is what intrigued him

a lingering hockey knee injury ended his dream

about the position. Once he settled in there, we

of becoming a U.S. Marine Corps aviator. It was

could never get him out of goal.”

symbolic of an unquenchable thirst for challenge

Through their support in Whit’s name, the family

and excitement that defined his life.

“Pursue your dream, don’t give it up and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. That was Whit,” said Whit’s father, Bob Whitacre.

hopes they have shared a valuable life experience

“Pursue your dream, don’t give it up and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. That was Whit.”

Since Whit’s death, his parents, Bob and Nancy Whitacre, have invested in Miami’s ice hockey program to celebrate their son’s legacy and repay a debt to a program that was an integral part of his life.

Their past support has included the Jonathan “Whit” Whitacre Endowed Scholarship for Miami Hockey goalies. Their most recent gift named the Goggin Ice Center Shooting Room in Whit’s honor.

“Miami University and ‘The Brotherhood’ were extremely important pieces of the puzzle of Whit’s life,” Bob said. “He would not have been the man he was without the education he received and the associations he enjoyed with his teammates and coaches.”

In joining “The Brotherhood”—the name given to the tight-knit culture within Miami’s hockey

6

ForLoveandHonor.org

– BOB WHITACRE

program—Whit became part of three NCAA tournament teams. His primary contributions were on the practice ice, where his competitiveness drove him to make his teammates better every day.

While active hockey parents during Whit’s time on campus, the Whitacres experienced the deeper meaning of “The Brotherhood” during their darkest moment. In the wake of the accident, support from

with the young men who write “The Brotherhood’s” next chapters. They also recognize the importance of scholarships and facilities in the program’s ability to recruit and develop promising young men with a passion for hockey.

And they hope their support captures Whit’s indomitable spirit.

“He never doubted in himself,” Bob said. “Whit loved the pressure of being in goal, and he never thought about failure. He was just lost in the constant action and excitement of playing the position. That’s how he played hockey, and that’s how he lived his life.”

■

Whit’s Miami Hockey family poured in from across the country, uplifting the family. The Whitacres still maintain a number of those relationships.

“That revealed to us what ‘The Brotherhood’ was about,” Bob said. “It’s not just a hockey team. It’s a life-sharing experience and a bond that lasts forever.”

Learn more about the Graduating Champions Campaign at MiamiOH.edu/GraduatingChampions or by contacting Coleman Barnes, senior director of development for intercollegiate athletics at 513-529-8285 or barnesd@MiamiOH.edu.

A RO U N D MIAMI

Presidential search committee named

“We believe Miami’s outstanding national

The committee that will work to recommend

in higher education. With your help, we

Miami University’s next president has named its

are confident that Miami will succeed in

members. Miami President David Hodge retires

attracting an outstanding scholar and

from that position June 30, 2016.

The presidential search committee, led by David Budig ’84, chair of the Miami board of trustees, includes three faculty members, an undergraduate student, a senior administrative staff member, a representative of the university foundation board, an alumnus, and an additional trustee.

reputation and academic excellence make our presidency one of the best positions

leader as our next president.”

– DAVID BUDIG ’84

•

Ifeolu Ariké Christopher Claytor ’17, undergraduate representative

•

David Creamer, senior vice president for finance and business affairs

•

David Budig ’84, chair, board of trustees

•

Susan Naus ’67, chair, Miami Foundation

•

Linda Marchant, professor of anthropology

•

•

Glenn Platt, C. Michael Armstrong Chair in Interactive Media

Ted Downing ’68, president, Miami University Alumni Association Board of Directors

•

Mark Ridenour ’82, vice chair, board of trustees

•

Ann Rypstra, distinguished professor of biology

News briefs ■ The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has

■ Miami’s Best Buddies Chapter has been

honored as the best in the nation, topping

programs at more than 430 colleges internationally.

reaccredited Miami. In its comprehensive review,

The program creates opportunities for one-to-one

the seven-member review team commended Miami

friendships between Miami students and people

for a clear mission focus on its liberal arts tradition

with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

as well as commitment to student engagement, scholarship, student success and personalized

■ Miami University ranks No. 2 in the country

support. It also noted Miami’s beneficial role in the

among public doctoral universities for

community and careful attention and response to

undergraduate participation in study abroad,

the changing fiscal environments.

according to a report released by the Institute of

■ Miami completed a renovation of east quad

International Education. The report, based on 2013-2014 numbers, indicated that 42 percent of

during the summer, including residence hall

Miami students studied in a foreign country prior

upgrades and the addition of a new Garden

to graduation.

Commons Dining Hall as part of Symmes Hall.

No. 1

No. 18

Miami ranks No. 1 among Ohio’s public universities for best salary potential according to a recent survey.

Miami’s ranking in the The 75 Best Colleges for Food in America

—Payscale.com

—The Daily Meal

Commitment Update Additional recent major-gift commitments to Miami University include the following: $1.5 million from Artie Dukes ’75 for the Office of Diversity Affairs A generous bequest commitment from Jeff Horrell ’75 and Rodney Rose for the Miami University Art Museum A generous bequest commitment from Gary ’73 and Linda ’73 Sirak

READ MORE ONLINE

Check us out online for full versions of all stories in Giving Tribute as well as the following bonus content:

Support for Janus Forum renewed through 2017-2018 Three-year commitment from the Thomas W. Smith ’50 Foundation enhances the study and debate of liberty and democracy on campus.

Lammers gift to support alcohol and addiction programming Bequest from recovering addict Bill Lammers ’70 creates fund to educate and foster open dialogues on alcohol and other drug use or misuse.

ForLoveandHonor.org/ GivingTribute

ForLoveandHonor.org

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A N N UA L GIVING

GIVINGTRIBUTE

#MoveInMiami even better in second year As Miami University welcomed a record-breaking Class of 2019 to campus, alumni and friends rallied together and welcomed the class with a #MoveInMiami day-of-giving effort that set new standards across the board. #MoveInMiami, introduced last year as a

Jamie ’86 & Kathryn Rohrs Wilhelm ’86

participation-driven effort, set an initial goal of attaining 2,019 donors in 20 hours and 19 minutes to honor the incoming first-year class. The 2015 effort surpassed the original goal early in the

Jamie ’86 and Kathy Rohrs Wilhelm ’86 were totally not going to be that

evening, announced a second challenge of 3,000

high school couple that went off to

donors and surpassed that as well with 3,281 total

the same college together.

donors making gifts of all sizes and to many areas

Unfortunately for their best-laid plans, they both

of Miami’s campus.

visited Miami University.

“The day is a celebration of Miami and what it means to our alumni and friends, but it’s also a reminder of how every gift makes a real difference in the life of the university and our students.”

– BRAD BUNDY H.A. ’13 SENIOR ASSOCIATE VP, DEVELOPMENT

earning a scholarship and three varsity letters while helping the team

challenges and raised $672,757 for more than 300 designations campus-wide. Driven largely through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other online applications, #MoveInMiami recorded 13.2 million social media impressions.

Other highlights from the day included the following: •

Tappan Hall was crowned top residence hall in the alumni/donor giving competition;

•

Miami’s regional campus, commuter and nonresident students made a significant leap from 2014 with more than 350 gifts;

•

The longest gift traveled 8,682 miles from Bangkok, Thailand;

•

American Campus Communities, Inc., his experience was enhanced by the rigors of being a student and athlete and an impressive cast for Miami’s current student-athletes and the invaluable life experiences they are receiving.

“We have true and genuine

Now residents of Austin,

Conference championship.

affection for Miami and

Texas, the Wilhelms do not

He earned his B.S. in finance.

Oxford, and we’re proud to

to a 1986 Mid-American

Kathy earned her degree

support Miami by giving back our dollars and

became a reluctant but self-

recommending it as a great

described Miami Football

place for young people to

groupie while following

spend four years.”

James on the field.

Together, they enjoyed a

college experience that set them up for a lifetime of success and forever left a piece of their hearts in

as they would like but remain loyal supporters of and believers in Miami.

“Working for a student housing company, I’m fortunate to spend every week

– JAMIE WILHELM ’86

well-rounded, meaningful

get back to Oxford as much

on college campuses,” Jamie said. “I may be biased, but Miami is a special place with

a special culture that doesn’t exist many places. It gave us tremendous opportunities.”

■

Oxford, Ohio.

“I loved that Miami was in Oxford, this true college town, and that you had to drive through cow pastures to get there,” Kathy said. “It was a terrific four years, and it prepared us academically and socially for the real world.”

The Red Brick Society includes donors who have made a gift every year since graduation or donors who have given in at least 25 consecutive years.

To learn more about annual giving and Miami’s annual giving societies, visit ForLoveandHonor. org/AnnualGiving or contact us at 513-529-5229 or AnnualGiving@MiamiOH.edu.

The hashtag #MoveInMiami trended nationally at times on Twitter.

■

Plans are already underway for #MoveInMiami 2016. If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved in this family effort, contact Emily Berry, senior director of annual giving, at 513-529-9625 or emily.berry@MiamiOH.edu.

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For Jamie, an executive vice president for

of teammates. He maintains a strong respect

Jamie walked onto the Miami football team,

in special education and In all, the effort unlocked $200,000 in matching gift

RED BRICK SOCIETY PROFILE

ForLoveandHonor.org

72 years

$145

Range in graduation years from most senior to youngest #MoveInMiami donor (from the Class of 1947 to the Class of 2019)

Average size of a 2015 #MoveInMiami gift (excluding matching gifts)

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Holzberger support helps fashion design take flight at Miami Alumni involvement fuels student-led passion Sometimes all a dream needs to take flight is finding the right people to believe.

Such is the story of how a struggling student-led club has, in less than a decade, evolved into one of Miami’s most visible student organizations and its own university-sponsored academic track. And such is the commitment of Frederic ’77 and Julie ’85 Holzberger, whose counsel and support helped the program find its legs and whose recent investment has positioned it for a significant next step.

Through a major-gift commitment creating the Holzberger Fashion Design Studio Fund at Miami, the Holzbergers, co-founders of the Aveda Fredric’s Institutes, based in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, have created an important funding source that will support the continued growth of Miami’s fashion design program. For Frederic, a frequent speaker in

meetings and extensive preplanning toward the

entrepreneurship at Miami, the Holzbergers,

fashion show. From there, it was securing funding

impressed by both the plan and the enthusiasm,

and teaching students to sketch and sew.

recognized the opportunity.

“We went from eight people to 100,” Martinkovic

“They were so entrepreneurial and resourceful in

said. “We had an exec board, we were getting

setting this up,” Frederic said. “It was a grass roots

sponsorships, and we received some student

effort, and they were very passionate about it.”

organization funding to purchase tools and equipment. At one point, I was storing 15 mannequins and all these sewing machines in my apartment. It was massive planning.”

“I like to tell students to come back, give back, contribute and make the legacy of Miami more profound through the intellectual and financial capital they share,” Frederic said.

When the MU Club of Fashion Design hosted its ninth fashion show last April, it featured designs by 31 Miami students and played to a sellout audience.

Nikki Martinkovic ’09 remembers more humble beginnings. “We had five members at the beginning, no executive committee and not much of a plan.”

Growing the club was a ground-up project, beginning with new member recruitment, regular

that set the tone for the future.

“The fire marshal showed up because we had too many people,” Martinkovic recalled. “Seeing

“Our hope is that the students who go through the program will come back someday—some will hit it big—and return that investment to

that turnout blew us away, and we realized the opportunity we had created for students to get a foot in the door in fashion design. That’s when the real buzz started.”

tomorrow’s students.”

Student demand for a fashion design academic

– FREDERIC HOLZBERGER ’77

welcomed more than 100 students in its first year.

track led to the creation of a minor in 2014, which One of the culminating experiences is a required

Miami’s classrooms, it is a matter of living a message he often shares with students.

The resulting fashion show was a smashing success

The missing piece was a sponsorship to provide the show’s hair and makeup. Martinkovic knew of the

practicum course involving participation in the MU Club of Fashion Design’s annual fashion show.

Holzbergers and the Aveda Fredric’s Institutes—a

“It’s been amazing to see where the students, faculty

cosmetology school founded by Frederic in 1999—

and staff—both within the College of Creative Arts

through a family member and asked for 10 minutes.

and the Institute for Entrepreneurship—have taken

She found more than a sponsor.

“They had students they were training in hair and makeup, and we needed hair and makeup for

the program in such a short time,” Frederic said.

“We wanted to help grow the program to another level, and we think, with patience, it’s really going to take off.”

■

the show,” Martinkovic said. “Frederic loved it immediately. I remember him saying ‘We’re going to make this big, really big.’”

Already active in Miami’s Institute for

To learn more about supporting fashion design at Miami, contact Heather Kogge, director of development for the College of Creative Arts, at koggeha@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-5217.

Entrepreneurship and avid supporters of social

ForLoveandHonor.org

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GIFT PLANNING

GIVINGTRIBUTE

Office of Gift Planning Offers Guidance, Support

Stetson Siler ’75 BRICE SOCIETY PROFILE

Bequests and other testamentary gifts are simple, flexible and often allow individuals to make larger gifts than they ever thought

■ Th e Colonel Stetson M. Siler Memorial Award

will provide student financial assistance for one or more outstanding undergraduate cadets each year.

“One of the most rewarding assignments I enjoyed was as an Air Force ROTC detachment commander, and it gave me a good idea of the needs that

When Stetson Siler ’75 made his first trip to Miami University’s campus as a high school senior, the city kid from Chicago peered out his car window at the endless cornfields and wondered just where he was headed.

More than four decades later, the retired U.S. Air Force colonel reflects on that drive, knowing

college experience and, ultimately, a career that would carry him around the world and position

students and cadets was both meaningful and

testamentary plans—wills, trusts and

important to me.”

beneficiary designations.”

Siler earned a B.S. in mathematics at Miami, and

– JAYNE WHITEHEAD H.A. ’06

tapped into that background throughout much of

SENIOR DIRECTOR

his military career. His specialty was operations

OF DEVELOPMENT

research, and many of his assignments involved

FOR GIFT PLANNING

testing and developing military technology. One of his final and most meaningful

to enhance Miami’s ROTC unit and enable it to attract good

parts during significant

both meaningful and

moments in history.

important to me.”

Miami’s gift planning professionals can provide

assignments was as an ROTC

ideas and work with your personal legal

detachment commander at

counsel and financial advisers to ensure your

Manhattan College in New York.

charitable goals and wishes are implemented as you intend.

“The whole idea of ROTC is to prepare young men and women

Additionally, all Miamians who support

for their careers through instilling

the university through bequests, trusts,

military values, discipline and

beneficiary designations and other planned

leadership,” Siler said. “Those were

– STETSON SILER ’75

important traits for me to learn, and they remain important today. There is a lot to be said for the experience.”

the Miami University Air Force ROTC Detachment:

■ Th e Colonel Stetson M. Siler Memorial Fund

will be used at the discretion of the detachment commander to support the program’s future needs for programming and physical space.

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gifts automatically qualify as members of the Brice Society.

■

■

future Air Force cadets to succeed by designating a major estate gift that creates two funds in support of

charitable planning process, whether

the legal language for gifts through

“ ... to provide support

and paved the way for

alumni and friends at all stages of the

Miami’s ROTC unit and enable it to attract good

students and cadets was

celebrated his experience

“We are here to offer support to

gift planning vehicles or providing

thin, so to be able to provide support to enhance

him to play important

Siler and his wife, Kate,

current and future Miami students.

that’s helping provide ideas about

exist,” Siler said. “Budgets are always stretched

that beyond those fields was a life-changing

possible, profoundly impacting the lives of

The Calvin S. Brice Society was established to recognize Miami University alumni and friends who provide visionary support to the university through their estate plans.

To learn more about Miami’s Office of Gift Planning, contact Jayne Whitehead H.A. ’06, senior director of development for gift planning, at 513-529-5223 or jayne.whitehead@MiamiOH. edu or visit MiamiOH.edu/GiftPlanning.

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Campagna fund to support women in engineering and computing Funding crucial to driving larger CEC women’s initiatives new things called ‘computers’ and suggested I look

Marie Campagna ’74 learned to

into systems,” Campagna recalled.

thrive in the male-dominated world of computing and analytics but not

She went from an all-girls Catholic school to a

without the counsel and support of

major at Miami with only about 10 women, but Campagna found a lifelong friend and steady source

some strong women along the way.

of support in classmate and “study buddy” Dianne Driessen ’74. Both now serve together on the CEC

Campagna, a retired senior executive who spent

Women’s Advisory Committee.

28 years with Accenture, recently returned the favor through a five-year major-gift commitment

Following graduation, Campagna went to work at

ensuring that women in Miami University’s

Andersen Consulting—later Accenture—where she

College of Engineering and Computing (CEC)

spent her entire career. Being a woman in a field

will have similar support. The Marie Campagna

dominated by men came with ups and downs.

CEC Women’s Initiative Fund provides crucial funding that will be instrumental in enhancing the recruitment and retention of women in engineering and computing.

“If women want to go into these fields, I want Miami to be a no-brainer as the place with the best opportunities for them to succeed,” Campagna

“I had the benefit of being the token female in a

While the number of women pursuing bachelor’s degrees in most fields has climbed since the 1990s, according to the National Center for Education

said. “There’s so much to be done, and sometimes

Statistics, the number of women earning

it comes down to having the right funding

undergraduate degrees in engineering

and people to put the ideas on paper and set

and computer science has declined or

them in motion.”

remained stagnant over the past 20 years.

Campagna’s gift aligns with the recent formation of a CEC Women’s Advisory Committee, comprised

her as a person and a problem solver. It also comes

of Miami alumnae spanning more than four

out of gratitude for a career that brought her

decades. They are laying out objectives directed at

significant personal satisfaction and success.

helping the college become a choice destination for women in engineering and computing. Among their goals is achieving gender balance within CEC. For Campagna, her gift goes beyond simply repaying Miami for an education and experience that shaped

Miami University Foundation Board of Directors 2015

lot of meetings, and, because I was one of the few women, everyone knew my name,” Campagna said.

“Those were the pros. They also were the cons.”

Her ultimate success enabled her to retire at age 50, and Campagna finds it particularly meaningful that her Accenture stock shares—the fruits of her professional success—are now returning to Miami students through her gift.

“I was successful in my career because of the grounding and education I received at Miami,” Campagna said. “I believe as more women see how valuable computer science and engineering have become to society, that many others can follow that path and find something as rewarding as I did.” ■

It all began with a little “divine” guidance.

“I was actually considering going into social work, but it was a nun, Sister Kathryn Moran, who recognized my interest in math, told me about these

To learn more about CEC women’s initiatives, contact Jay Fridy, director of development for the College of Engineering and Computing at jay.fridy@MiamiOH. edu or 513-529-9260.

Steve Anderson ’79 Medina, Ohio

Beth Mynhier ’82 Lake Forest, Ill.

Mary Ann Casati ’77 New York, N.Y.

Michael Oxley ’66 McLean, Va.

BY ELECTION

Dr. Richard Chaifetz Lake Forest, Ill.

John W. Peck ’66 Cincinnati

Susan E. Naus ’67 President Indianapolis

James Chapman ’72 Powell, Ohio

Alison Sanger ’93 Oakland, Calif.

Donald Crain ’70 West Chester, Ohio

Sylvia Stanfield ’65 Washington, D.C.

Tom Herbert Vice President, University Advancement and Executive Director, Miami University Foundation

BY APPOINTMENT FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

David Creamer Senior Vice President, Finance and Business Services/Treasurer

Sharon J. Mitchell ’73 West Chester, Ohio

Jayne Brownell Vice President, Student Affairs

Jagdish Bhati Cincinnati

SPECIAL APPOINTEE

Mark Sullivan ’81 Vice President Wilton, Conn.

Ellen Schubert ’83 Treasurer Old Greenwich, Conn.

Charles Landes ’74 Secretary Cincinnati Rick Amos ’87 Chicago

Thomas Hayden ’82 Cincinnati Cynthia Henderson ’90 Cincinnati Sue Henry ’73 Arlington, Va. Richard McVey ’81 Greenwich, Conn.

BY SERVICE TO MIAMI

GIVING TRIBUTE STAFF

David Hodge President, Miami University

MANAGING EDITOR/WRITING

Phyllis Callahan Provost and Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs

Vince Frieden Associate Director, Editorial Services DESIGN

Ali Place Associate Director, Creative Services EDITORIAL OVERSIGHT

Kim Tavares MBA ’12 Senior Director, University Advancement Communications, Marketing & Events Kevin Marks MS ’85 Senior Director of Development, Campaign Services

Gary Killian ’81 Rye, N.Y.

The mission of the Miami University Foundation is to support the educational and research activities of Miami University through the identification and solicitation of contributions of money and gifts and the management and stewardship of the Miami University endowment. Learn more at ForLoveandHonor.org/Foundation.

ForLoveandHonor.org

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UNIVERSITY A DVA N C E M E N T

GIVINGTRIBUTE

News Briefs

■ Securing more than $28 million or 42 percent of

contributions from alumni, followed by foundations

Fiscal year 2015 success

(31 percent), friends (12 percent), corporations (9

During fiscal year 2015, Miami raised more than $67 million in new gifts and pledges—the highest

percent) and parents (3 percent).

total in the past decade. This represents a 41 percent

18 Of the Last 9 recipients honored

increase over the 2014 fiscal year total.

Miami University welcomed its 2015 18 Of the Last

“Miami University’s alumni and friends recognize the financial challenges inherent in providing the affordable, top-tier education that is Miami’s tradition,” said Tom Herbert, vice president for

9 Young Alumni Award winners back to campus earlier this fall for opportunities to interact with students and faculty, reconnect with campus and receive recognition at a special celebration dinner.

university advancement. “Their support in the

Based on the popular “30 under 30” model, the

face of that reality over the past year has been

program, sponsored by the Miami University

extraordinary and is deeply appreciated throughout

Alumni Association, annually recognizes 18

the institution.”

Miami alumni who have graduated within the past

Some of the Fiscal Year 2015 notables include:

■ Raising $19.7 million toward the $100 million

Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign and surpassing an $18 million first-year goal;

■ Garnering $4.13 million from nearly 30,000

annual giving donors;

Register today!

nine years. This year’s inductees came from an outstanding pool of more than 160 nominees, with achievements and demonstrated passions in fields ranging from medicine and architecture to business innovation and protecting the oceans.

you can nominate an exceptional young alumna/

■ Raising nearly $80,000 from the Senior Class Gift

Registration is open for Winter College 2016, which is visiting the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Fla. This annual event brings together Miami alumni and friends in a

To learn more about this year’s recipients or how alumnus, visit MiamiAlum.org/18of9.

Winter College Feb. 26-28, 2016

■

warm, southern locale for excursions, a range of timely courses taught by Miami’s worldclass faculty, and other events and activities.

To lock in the discounted Winter College rate, make your reservation by Jan. 25, 2016 at

effort and increasing overall class scholarship giving

MiamiAlum.org/WinterCollege.

by 19 percent from a year ago; BREAKING GROUND, CUTTING RIBBONS AND GRADUATING CHAMPIONS

On Aug. 28, Miami alumni and friends gathered in Yager Stadium’s north endzone to break ground on the new Gunlock Family Athletic Performance Center. The future home of Miami Football, the Gunlock Center will include a new team locker room, weight room, team meeting rooms, coaches’ offices and a state-of-the-art medical/athletic training facility serving all Miami’s varsity athletic programs. It is slated to open in 2017.

Miami University Office of Development Leadership Tom Herbert Vice President and Executive Director of Miami Foundation Brad Bundy H.A. ’13 Senior Associate Vice President and Campaign Director

Mackenzie Becker Rice ’99 Senior Director of University Administration and Assistant Executive Director to the Miami Foundation Coleman Barnes Senior Director of Development, Intercollegiate Athletics Emily Berry ’01, M.A. ’11 Senior Director, Annual Giving Erika Dockery Senior Director of Development, Central Programs, Corporate & Foundation Relations and Global Initiatives/MUDEC

Miami University dedicated the Jay Hayden Baseball Center on Sept. 25, relocating the program from Withrow Court to a new facility down the leftfield line of McKie Field at Hayden Park. It marks the latest achievement for Miami’s $80 million Graduating Champions Campaign in support of intercollegiate athletics, which raised $28.3 million in fiscal year 2015.

Jill Gaby ’91 Senior Director of Development, Regional Development Evan Lichtenstein Senior Director of Development, College of Arts and Science

Susie Brower Sadler ’84 Senior Director of Development, Armstrong Student Center and Academic Programs Jayne Whitehead H.A. ’06 Senior Director, Gift Planning

Kevin Marks M.S. ’85 Senior Director of Development, Campaign Services

David Zilch ’84 Senior Director of Development, Farmer School of Business

Ellen Paxton Senior Director, Regional Advancement

Jay Fridy Director of Development, College of Engineering and Computing

Brian Furnish ’01 Director of Development, College of Education, Health and Society Heather Kogge Director of Development, College of Creative Arts Michael Kumler ’97 Director of Development, Student Affairs, University Libraries, Graduate School Whitney Riley Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Miami University Office of Development | Panuska Development Center | 725 East Chestnut Street | Oxford, OH 45056 | 513-529-1230 | MUDevelopment@MiamiOH.edu | ForLoveandHonor.org

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