Last Updated December 2024
Mr. David E. Baines '69
Mr. Baines is a retired senior vice president with United States Aviation Underwriters Inc., a company that provides insurance to various airlines and aviation companies. He is an avid pilot, a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and was a member of the men鈥檚 soccer team. He and wife Cherie established the David and Sharon Baines Endowed Scholarship in 2011, are members of the 麻豆传媒色情片 Hawley Society and Benjamin Prince Society, celebrating more than 40 years of giving back to Wittenberg. Appointed to Board: 2013
Mr. Wes C. Bates '70
Mr. Bates is CEO and chairman of the board of Stanley Steemer International. He is a recipient of the Alumni Association鈥檚 most prestigious recognition, the Class of 1914 Award, given to individuals who have served Wittenberg above and beyond what might be expected of any contributor to the college鈥檚 welfare. He is married to Ann Sammel Bates 鈥�70, and together they have a son and a daughter. Wes and Ann are both active supporters of Wittenberg with Wes recently serving as co-chair of the Having Light Campaign for 麻豆传媒色情片. They were also the lead donors for the new Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) Complex, and its centerpiece, The Steemer. Appointed to Board: 2007
Mr. William S. Boggs '68
Mr. Boggs graduated from Wittenberg in 1968. While attending Wittenberg, he was a member of several groups including the Student Court, Pick and Pen, football team and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating from Wittenberg he earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1972. He moved to San Diego where he practiced law for 44 years, most recently with DLA Piper LLP US. He handled high stakes litigation matters in California and throughout the country. In 2016 Mr. Boggs retired from law practice and for two years acted as a consultant with DLA Piper鈥檚 National Litigation Training program. Since retiring Mr. Boggs has served on the boards of several San Diego charities. In addition to his service on the Wittenberg Board of Directors, Mr. Boggs has given back to Wittenberg in several volunteer capacities. Several of his family members are Wittenberg alumni, including his sister, Sally (Boggs) Bashore 鈥�66, and his cousin, John Boggs 鈥�68. Appointed to Board: 2016
Ms. Stacy Rastauskas Bretherton '98
For 17 years, Mrs. Rastauskas Bretherton has worked with The Ohio State University, where she currently serves as the vice president for government affairs. In this capacity, she works closely with faculty, students, and administrators to develop and lead Ohio State鈥檚 broad government relations agenda, which includes representing the university in advocacy for federal, state, and local governments, regulatory agencies, and key policymakers. An active member of several national higher education government relations groups, Ms. Rastauskas Bretherton has chaired both the Council on Government Affairs for Association for Public Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the steering committee for the Council on Federal Relations for the Association of American Universities (AAU). Previously, Ms. Rastauskas Bretherton worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where she handled appropriations and education issues for U.S. Congressman David Hobson. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Wittenberg followed by a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University in 2005. She resides in Worthington with her husband and two sons. Appointed to Board: 2021
Rev. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt
Rev. Darcy Dillahunt serves as bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She previously served as assistant to the bishop in the ELCA Southern Ohio Synod and as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Eaton, Ohio, Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio, and Christ Lutheran Church (now known as Faith in Christ Lutheran Church) in Springfield, Ohio. Bishop Dillahunt鈥檚 son, Nathaniel, is a 2015 Wittenberg graduate, and the University hosted her Installation to the Office of Bishop of the ELCA Southern Ohio Synod in 2013, marking the first time a woman was named bishop of a corporate-size ELCA synod. Appointed to the Board: 2020
Mr. William D. Edwards '89
Mr. Edwards officially became Board chair in July 2020. A former partner with Ulmer & Berne LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as the chair of the firm's Employment and Labor group, Mr. Edwards is now a partner with Taft in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been recognized numerous times by Best Lawyers in America and Ohio Super Lawyers. A history major and a member of the football team during his time at Wittenberg, he earned his J.D. at Case Western Reserve University in 1993. Mr. Edwards' family has a lasting legacy at Wittenberg, starting with his grandfather, also William 鈥淏ill鈥� Edwards, who served as Wittenberg鈥檚 head football coach and athletics director from 1955 until his retirement in 1973. Bill Edwards Drive, the road running directly in front of the Wittenberg Stadium and Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex, is named for Mr. Edwards' grandfather. Appointed to Board: 2015
Ms. Wendy G. Ford '76
A retired director of human resources with the Springfield City School District, Ms. Ford is a leader in the Springfield community through her service as a member of the Springfield Symphony Foundation Board, the Opportunities for Individual Change, the Benjamin Prince Society, the Community Health Foundation's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Ferncliff Cemetery Association, and United Senior Services. Ms. Ford is married to Eddie '75. Appointed to Board: 2018
Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D.
Respected for his authenticity, integrity, vision, exemplary leadership skills and unique ability for finding intersections that create opportunity, Dr. Michael Frandsen was unanimously selected by the Wittenberg Board of Directors on Feb. 10, 2017 as the University's 15th president. He began his tenure on July 1, 2017. Now in his seventh year, President Frandsen continues to lead with a thorough understanding of the rhythms and culture of the academy and the importance of shared governance, the power of an integrated, residential experience, the art and science of enrollment, marketing and fundraising, and the role of community-building in long-term institutional success. Frandsen earned his Ph.D. in management, with an emphasis on strategic management, from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds an M.B.A. and B.S. in finance, both from The Pennsylvania State University. Active in the Springfield community, President Frandsen serves on several boards and was recently selected as vice president of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years. He and his wife Sharon are the proud parents of two grown daughters, Janie and Kate. Appointed to Board: 2017
Mr. Charles A. Giffin '00
Mr. Giffin currently serves as managing director and head of the public finance group at J.P. Morgan in New York. In this capacity, Giffin oversees debt issuance and lending for state/local municipalities and non-profits, including healthcare and higher education. He also oversees trading and financing of municipal bonds for investor clients. A double major in economics and management at Wittenberg, the Youngstown, Ohio native went on to earn his M.B.A. from New York University with a concentration in finance. Giffin, who previously served on the Wittenberg Alumni Association Board, currently resides in Cos Cob, Connecticut, with wife Blake Giffin and their two boys. As a student at Wittenberg, Giffin served as president of Student Senate, was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, participated in Senior Circle, and was inducted into the Mortar Board honorary. Appointed to Board: 2023
Ms. Alvera S. "Vikki" Hooper '78
Ms. Hooper is currently a semi-retired instructor-facilitator for IBM Corp. Prior to this post, she served as assistant to the pastor for Gethsemane Baptist Church. Ms. Hooper was a member of the Concerned Black Students organization while a student at Wittenberg and previously served as president of the 麻豆传媒色情片 Alumni Association Board. She currently serves on the Advancement/Alumni Relations and Enrollment/Marketing committees of the Board of Directors. She has represented Wittenberg at multiple events, including at the inauguration of the new president of Marymount University. She is a member of the 麻豆传媒色情片 Hawley Society and celebrates more than 25 years of giving back to Wittenberg. Appointed to Board: 2019
Mr. Douglas E. Kentfield '78
Doug is CEO for the US Division for TAK Systems, a technology company developing a biometric payment system. Doug鈥檚 career was primarily in financial services most recently serving as President of Steward Partners, an independent wealth management firm. Prior to Steward, Doug was the Western Divisional Director for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. For 28 years he held positions in senior management at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms and was a member of the Executive Committee. Doug was on the Alumni Board before joining the Board of Directors in 2008. He served three terms and then rejoined the Board in 2020. Doug is Chair of the Finance Committee and Endowment Sub-Committee. Appointed to Board: 2020
Dr. James J. Lakso '67
Dr. Lakso is Provost and Vice President for Student Development and Professor of Economics Emeritus at Juniata College. He joined the Juniata faculty in 1970, was promoted to full professor in 1981, and was named Provost and Vice President for Student Development in 1998. Juniata's Center for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning was named in his honor, and The Lakso Endowment for Faculty Excellence was created in 2011 to support faculty development. Lakso currently serves as the vice-chair of the board of directors for Kish Bancorp (KISB), and he serves on the board of United Lutheran Seminary. An economics major at Wittenberg, Lakso was awarded an Alumni Citation in 2014. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two daughters. Appointed to Board: 2018
Ms. Sarah Hagen McWilliams '88
Ms. McWilliams worked for several years as a non-profit fundraiser and grant writer with the Bath County Historical Society. She and her husband also worked for many years as the owners and proprietors of The Inn at Gristmill Square in Warm Springs, Va. Ms. McWilliams holds a master鈥檚 degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University. In addition to serving on the Wittenberg Board of Directors for thirteen years, she has been an active volunteer for the Office of Advancement recently serving as a co-chair of the Having Light Campaign for 麻豆传媒色情片. She is an active supporter of the Benjamin Prince Society and the daughter of Susan Hirt Hagen 鈥�57 and granddaughter of H. Orth Hirt 鈥�11. Re-appointed to Board: 2022
Mr. Robert G. Merzweiler '76
Mr. Merzweiler is the chairman and CEO of Landmark Plastic Corporation, an Akron-based firm he founded in 1984. The company focuses primarily in horticultural plant packaging and actively participates in sustainability efforts, including collection and usage of recycled plastics. He is a member of the Ohio Foundation for Independent Colleges (OFIC) and has been a member of the Akron Roundtable, the Akron Community Foundation, the Akron General Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Info Line Inc. Board of Trustees. Mr. Merzweiler is currently chair of the Advancement and Alumni Relations committee and an active supporter of the Benjamin Prince Society. He and wife Vicki live in Akron. His daughter, Lauren, is a member of the class of 2004. Appointed to Board: 2017
Mr. Stephen M. Neely '75
Mr. Neely serves as president of Springfield-based Armoloy of Ohio Inc., where he works directly with renowned companies such as Kraft Foods and Kellogg鈥檚. A community leader, Neely has served numerous organizations in the Springfield area, including the Springfield Foundation, the Clark State Foundation, and the Community Healthcare Foundation. He is also a past president of the Springfield Rotary Club, and it was through Springfield Rotary that Neely became involved in aiding orphaned children from the South African Kingdom of Lesotho after learning about the effort through Wittenberg. He is married to Mary Alice Schryver Neely '75 and they are members of the 麻豆传媒色情片 Hawley Society and Benjamin Prince Society. Appointed to Board: 2018
Rev. Dr. Scott M. Ness '01
Rev. Ness is the senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. In addition to similar positions held at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Bridgeport, Ohio) and St. John Lutheran Church (Grove City, Ohio), Rev. Ness is also a committee member of the NALC National Committee. While at Wittenberg, he was a member of the men鈥檚 basketball team and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In addition, he was a Resident Advisor and a member of Senior Circle. As an alumnus, Rev. Ness has served as a class agent, volunteered with admission, and previously served on Wittenberg鈥檚 Alumni Association Board. He is married to Deanna 鈥�99 and they have six children. Appointed to Board: 2019
Mr. Eric C. Rusnak '00
Mr. Rusnak is a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, in Washington, DC, and practices law in the areas of intellectual property and corporate litigation. He earned his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2003. In addition to his service on the Board, he previously served on Wittenberg鈥檚 Alumni Association Board and as a volunteer for the Office of Advancement. As a student at Wittenberg, Mr. Rusnak was a member of the Wittenberg Review of Literature and Art editorial board and the Spectrum editorial board. Appointed to Board: 2016
The Rev. Catherine L. Schibler-Keegan '82
Rev. Schibler is a Lutheran pastor. She is the regional representative for her synod with Portico Benefits Service, a group that provides retirement and life insurance benefits to pastors, ministers, and lay employees within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). An active volunteer at Wittenberg, she is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. As a student, she participated in the Wittenberg music program and was a member of The Torch newspaper staff. She is married to Clayton Keegan, and many of her relatives are Wittenberg alumni, including three of her sisters and daughters, Meredith 鈥�16 and Sarah 鈥�17. Appointed to Board: 2016
Mr. John A. Shumate '99
Mr. Shumate is a visionary leader on a mission to inspire and empower individuals to reach their full potential and achieve triumph in life. With a career spanning diverse sectors, from Consumer Packaged Goods to Apparel & Footwear, Retail to Sports and Entertainment, Shumate has consistently redefined the world of marketing, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. As an award-winning executive, Shumate鈥檚 expertise lies in assembling high-performing teams and piloting innovative strategies that consistently deliver double-digit sales growth and market expansion. He boasts an impressive track record with industry giants such as PepsiCo, Gatorade, Champion Athleticwear, MGM Resorts, Foot Locker Inc, and the Miami Dolphins, consistently surpassing revenue and profit goals.
Shumate is the embodiment of creative vision, skillfully blending marketing expertise, media acumen, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He has masterminded winning marketing strategies and product launches, navigating seamlessly through digital, social media, and traditional marketing channels. His achievements include unlocking untapped consumer segments, reinvigorating heritage brands, and forging powerful alliances. Shumate鈥檚 leadership has propelled brands to new heights, consistently exceeding expectations.
Beyond his corporate success, Shumate鈥檚 impact reaches the academic community. In 2021, he delivered the Opening Convocation address at 麻豆传媒色情片, and his dedication extends to volunteer work and membership in the Benjamin Prince Society. During his student years, Shumate was a prominent figure on campus, actively engaging with the community. He proudly belonged to the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, made significant contributions to Concerned Black Students, and played a pivotal role in the creation of WittFest.
Shumate is not just an executive; he鈥檚 a transformative leader, a beacon of inspiration, and a catalyst for success in every endeavor he pursues. His remarkable journey and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire and empower those around him, making him a true asset to 麻豆传媒色情片鈥檚 board. Appointed to Board: 2019
Dr. Alan D. Stewart '69
Dr. Stewart is an internal medicine physician with Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Ind. He has also served as medical director of Good Samaritan鈥檚 rehabilitation unit and as director of medical education for the hospital. He previously owned a private practice (1976-2006). Named 2008 Citizen of the Year for his work within the Vincennes community and the 2020 Public Servant of the Year by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Stewart is a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was awarded Wittenberg's prestigious Class of 1914 award in 2010. A member of the Hawley Society and the Benjamin Prince Society, Dr. Stewart is married to fellow classmate Pamela Stewart. All of their children, Elisabeth 鈥�96, Christopher 鈥�99, Melissa 鈥�02, Jonathan 鈥�06, Rebekah 鈥�08, and Zachary 鈥�11, are graduates of Wittenberg. Appointed to Board: 2016
Mr. Michael P. Summers '76
Mr. Summers, from Lakewood, Ohio, earned his B.A. in business and political science in 1976 at Wittenberg, followed by his M.B.A. in marketing, policy, and finance in 1978 from Northwestern 麻豆传媒色情片 Kellogg School of Management. Owner of the Summers Rubber Company for 32 years, Summers served as mayor of Lakewood for nine years and is currently on the board of First Federal Lakewood, a $33 billion community bank. Additionally, he is a senior fellow at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and is associated with Tiger Properties, LLC. From 1999-2003, Summers chaired Ohio鈥檚 Workforce Policy Board, a position he was appointed to by then Ohio Governor Bob Taft. He and wife Wendy Summers have three grown children: Amy Summers Millstone, Edward Summers, and Barbara Summers. During his time at Wittenberg, Summers was the president of the Student Government Association, a three-year letterwinner and co-captain of the track team, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society. He was also president of Wittenberg鈥檚 Alumni Association from 1994-95 and earned the Professional Achievement Award (formerly Distinguished Alumni Award) in 2001. A member of Lakewood Congregational Church UCC, he is a past member of the Lakewood School Board and Lakewood City Council. Appointed to Board: 2023
Mr. Ronald M. Szuch '87
Mr. Szuch is president and CEO of Union Capital Mortgage Corp. in the Cleveland/Akron area, which focuses primarily on providing residential loans to individuals. A member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, he played a leadership role in the now completed Health, Wellness & Athletics Restoration Expansion Initiative. Mr. Szuch currently splits his time between his home in Sarasota, Fla. and the Union Capitol offices in Mentor, Ohio. While at Wittenberg, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and on the football team. Appointed to Board: 2017