President Matt VandenBerg

Another whirlwind trip in the books. Thankfully I made it back from D.C. for Jackson’s first-ever band concert. Throw in a pre-concert meal at OPA Grill and Tavern , and this is one awesome birthday. Thanks so much for the birthday love and well wishes. I’m so grateful to be home!

Another phenomenal Ohio Wesleyan University weekend in the books. On Saturday, we welcomed a tremendous crowd for our prospective student and family open house (pictured: Provost Karlyn Crowley nailing her part). This year saw three times more visitors than last year’s event! We also hosted a range of athletics competitions, headlined by the final home game of the legend: Jay Martin. This weekend we celebrated the past, we enjoyed the present, and we anticipated a future of growth and prosperity. Like all days, it was a great day to be a Bishop.

Ohio Wesleyan University has a long and storied connection with Greater New York and other coastal metro areas. For generations, young people from these communities have chosen OWU, and thousands of graduates have launched from OWU to lead lives of greatness in those places.

Thanks to the vision, energy, and drive of leaders like Rich Alexander ’82 (pictured), VP for Enrollment Adam Smith, VP for Advancement Natalie Doan ’03, and many others, OWU is powerfully reclaiming its historic New York roots. If you haven’t noticed, OWU has come roaring back (see what I did there?) to New York, NJ, and CT, including hiring NYC native Anthony Rinaldi (pictured) as our associate director of admission for the region.

Watch out, Big Apple—Bishop Nation is back. Join us for one of our upcoming holiday parties to learn more: http://OWU.edu/holiday.

What began a few weeks ago as a routine media interview eventually became a fitting bit of closure to a week consumed by a family medical emergency (which is thankfully now ok). Jie Jenny Zou at the Chronicle of Philanthropy was so thoughtful with her questions that I found myself reflecting in earnest on my unique career journey. Her angle was how fundraising work is surprisingly (to some) effective preparation for presidential roles - and it is. This particular week reminded me just how much powerful and strong women have shaped - and continue to shape - my life and career. From my mother Donna vandenBerg, to mentors like past Alma College President Saundra Tracy (whom I reference in this story), to my talented sister Dr. Alysia vandenBerg, to colleagues like Dr. Karlyn Crowley, to my wonderful wife Melissa vandenBerg, I am continually surrounded by incredible women who inspire, support, and challenge me to grow every day. Their influence has been central to shaping my leadership style and values. I’m deeply grateful to them.

Who are the women who have shaped your journey? Check out my journey here: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/looking-to-lead-try-your-hand-at-fundraising-first-experts-say

So glad my schedule allowed me to catch the thrilling comeback win for Ohio Wesleyan University men’s soccer at Oberlin. Proud of our student athletes. Another win on the sunset tour for legendary coach Jay Martin. Fun to watch most of it with terrific NCAC Comish Keri Luchowski!

🍽️ Today’s lunch special at Ohio Wesleyan University? Hot takes and feedback! 😎 I crashed Smith Dining Hall and got into some real “food for thought” with Dhruv, Shlok, Rudie, and the crew. Spoiler: we didn’t just talk about pizza and fries—we hit up housing, athletics, international recruitment, financial strategy, and more. Basically, we spilled the tea—and not just in the cafeteria. ☕️

🔥 The new Smith Dining Hall? It’s fire 🔥 (and not just because of the new gluten-free station). Getting rave reviews from all sides—just like my dad jokes. Speaking of, let’s keep this convo well-seasoned: there’s no such thing as a half-baked idea here. Your feedback? Chef’s kiss 👨‍🍳💋

🍕Whether it’s food service or life on campus, these talks are like a well-made burrito—stuffed with good vibes, and honestly, who doesn’t love a burrito? 🌯

🥗 Lettuce turn your ideas into action. Stay tuned for the next Food for Thought session—coming soon to a dining hall near you.

Proud of Phillip Smith, Megan Ellis, and all of our colleagues at Ohio Wesleyan University for organizing and hosting the largest business plan competition in the entire State of Ohio. OWU isn’t supporting entrepreneurs because it’s in vogue. We’re attracting talented problem solvers from all over the planet and empowering them to create, innovate, and build—right here in Ohio—and we’re doing it in a way that’s truly transformative for our state’s economy.

An enormous celebration today as we shared the news of Trine Grissom's incredible $12M commitment. It will further cement Ohio Wesleyan University's status as a national leader in working with first-generation college students. So many incredible people working together to change lives. Trine, we're overwhelmed, we're grateful, and we're inspired to reach even higher. Thank you.

A $12 million game-changer for Ohio Wesleyan's first-generation students!

Today, President Matt VandenBerg announced that Kathrine Grissom '92 has made an estate commitment of $12 million to Ohio Wesleyan University to support first-generation college students.

"I want to give back to Ohio Wesleyan because OWU took a chance on me," Grissom said. "If you look at the statistics, we are blowing by other academic establishments where first-gen is concerned. The advancement office has been truly wonderful in helping me make this happen for my beloved alma mater and for future first-gen students."

🔴1 of every 5 OWU students are first-gen college students
🔴38% of OWU '28 are first-gen college students

In addition to scholarship aid, Grissom's estate gift will help support room and board and other expenses such as laptops, transportation costs, and medical bills.

Thank you, Kathrine, for empowering our first-generation students and helping OWU continue to provide the support they need to succeed!

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/OWUCreatingOpportunity

Key reflection from representing Ohio Wesleyan University at the United Nations General Assembly Forum: OWU is a trailblazer on some of the most pressing issues in higher education, and global leaders are taking notice. Let's keep going! Read more about the gathering here: https://bit.ly/OWULeadtheChange

Our OWU Connection Conference is always a terrific event filled with inspired reflections, emerging passions, and memorable stories. This year’s conference also featured OWU’s U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition, the largest business plan competition in the State of Ohio. Thrilled that our talented colleagues from sister school Claflin University joined us on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University for the activities, including serving as judges for the competition! I heard incredible enthusiasm for the proposed business ventures. Exciting times for OWU!

Going Global: So honored to convey the story and innovations of Ohio Wesleyan University to a national and global audience at today’s United Nations General Assembly forum. More pics and press coming, but here are some quick moments I caught with fellow panelists, including Assistant Secretary of Education Glenna Wright-Gallo and noted author and speaker Ana Homayoun. Keep up the great work, Bishops. Our star is rising!

Thank you, Spectrum News 1 Ohio, for shining a light on our exciting new partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI)!

We’re proud to be one of the first universities in the country to offer free, formal training in constructive dialogue to all of our students, faculty, and staff. This initiative is all about equipping our community to engage in the tough but necessary conversations that are part of civic life.

WATCH HERE: https://bit.ly/OWUCDI

Thanks to Emmy Award-winning journalist Tonisha Johnson at Spectrum News 1 Ohio for covering the groundbreaking new effort by Ohio Wesleyan University to provide all students, faculty, and staff with free, formal training on constructive dialogue. We’re proud to be one of the first universities in the nation to do so. Vincent, who did a great job, and I enjoyed our time with Tonisha. At OWU, this isn’t just a method. We’re out to spark a movement! Link to story and TV segment: https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/16/civil-discourse--ohio-wesleyan-university--constructive-dialogue-institute?cid=share_clip

I'm pleased to speak at the United Nations General Assembly next week about the groundbreaking work Ohio Wesleyan University is doing to enhance access, success, and inclusion for students. It's time for OWU's story to go global! Join us:

September 24, 2024
(9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
L’Avenue at Saks, New York

Redefining Student Success Ohio Wesleyan President Tapped to Speak at United Nations General Assembly

ALL IN for Democracy! ✨

Ohio Wesleyan is proud to receive the Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for our excellence in nonpartisan voter registration and student turnout during the 2022 midterm elections! 🗳️

With our "Get OWUt the Vote" initiative, OWU is committed to keeping the momentum going, empowering students to register to vote and make their voices heard in 2024.

We're also excited about our ongoing partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), preparing our community for the tough yet important conversations that civic participation often brings.

As Dr. Ashley Biser from OWU’s Department of Politics and Government said, “Combined with our work to Get OWUt the Vote, explore Democracy Matters through our Sagan National Colloquium, show that we are ALL IN for democracy...Ohio Wesleyan is working to prepare students to become active and informed citizens.”

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/OWUALLINforDemocracy

This week, we connected with talented and successful Ohio Wesleyan University alumni in Atlanta and Boston. VP Natalie Doan ’03 and I enjoyed catching up with Dr. Evan Bai ’11, director of computational genetics for a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company. Evan mentioned his particular appreciation for two of our valued colleagues: Dr. Dave Markwardt and Dr. Chris Wolverton. We’re grateful to them and to all OWU faculty and staff who change lives and catapult students to greatness.

In this challenging time for higher education, Ohio Wesleyan University continues to gain strength and build significant momentum thanks to the efforts of our remarkable faculty and staff. I’m proud to be part of the team. But this isn’t mission accomplished. This is mission launched. This is an OWU rebellion of kindness, boldness, and innovation.

'Just Getting Started' Ohio Wesleyan Celebrates Momentum-Building Year of Growth, Student Success, Innovation, and Financial Strength

What an incredible week, welcoming back our Ohio Wesleyan University colleagues and the Class of 2028! It’s been a thrill to get to know our students, both on campus and at Camp Oh-wooo! Special thanks to our Challenge Camp (Group 7) friends who let Jackson and me join them on the scary high rope course! Ashton, Kevin, Chris, Raylah, Jon, and Ben are awesome teammates!

In these fractious times, we need constructive dialogue on American college campuses and throughout society. Today, Ohio Wesleyan University becomes one of the first colleges in the nation to offer formal training in constructive dialogue for all students, faculty, and staff. For us, this isn’t just a method. It’s a movement. https://www.owu.edu/news-media/details/setting-the-standard/

Thanks to Buckeye Valley Schools (Superintendent Ric Stranges) and Delaware City Schools (Superintendent Heidi Kegley) for the chance to speak at their faculty and staff opening convocations. Among the two campuses, I had the good fortune to connect with more than 1,000 colleagues today. This county is doing phenomenal work in the education space, and Ohio Wesleyan University is proud to be YOUR college! Shout out to all the talented OWU grads in our local schools!