1847 Minutes for Otterbein

We’re ringing the Victory Bell thanks to you! 

Thank you to all who accepted the #1847MinutesForOtterbein challenge!  

Special thanks to our lead matching donors: David W. Fisher ‘75 and Beth J. Fisher P’11, Nevalyn Fristche Nevil ‘71, and Mark ‘78 and Deb ‘77 Thresher P’05 - and everyone who created their own match! 

It’s the final lap! Time is running out and there’s still a match on the line!  

Trustee Mark '78 and Deb '77 Thresher P’05 are matching ALL GIFTS $1 for $1 through the end of the campaign, up to $18,470.  

Cheryl Herbert serves on Otterbein University’s Board of Trustees as the Executive Chair for Student Success. She has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Currently, she serves as is the senior vice president of regional operations at OhioHealth. Cheryl earned a bachelor’s degree from Capital University and an MBA from Ashland University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; past-president and member of the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau Board; and a member of Franklin University’s Health Care Management Program Advisory Council. 

Thank you for your support of #1847MinutesForOtterbein, Cheryl & Joel! 

Michelle Dippold ‘13 is an alumna of Otterbein University and the Study Abroad Coordinator for Student Success & Career Development. She serves on the Young Alumni Board, helping to strengthen connections between alumni who graduated in the past 15 years and the University. She set a goal for herself to bike 100 miles in the month of September – check out her video. Thank you for your support of #1847MinutesForOtterbein, Michelle! 

The Class of 1996 is showing their #CardinalPride by being the class with the highest number of donors! Thank you, Class of 1996! 

Thank you for your support of #1847MinutesForOtterbein, Fred! 

Elise ‘22 

I study nursing and my favorite spot on campus is the Courtwright Memorial Library. Keeping the library well-lit, temperature-controlled, and beautiful might not be glamorous, but to students like me, it’s so important. Thank you! 

Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil ‘71 serves on Otterbein University’s Board of Trustees. She originally began her college career at Florida State University in 1966. She finished her freshman year, but then transferred to Otterbein in her hometown of Westerville. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology and went on to earn her master’s degree in counseling psychology at The Ohio State University in 1978. She began her career at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, where she helped develop several books focused on helping people with psychological disorders. She served as president of the Otterbein Theatre Advisory Board; president of the Board for Advocacy and Protective Services; trustee for Creative Housing Inc. and a member of the Columbus Development Center Citizen’s Advisory Board. Born to Dr. Ernest G. and Neva Fritsche, she grew up around Otterbein where Ernest was a board member from 1973-2006. Nevalyn was instrumental in assisting the college to obtain the gift that started the Cowan Hall Renovation project underway.  

Cardinals helped Otterbein surpass the 250-donor goal! Whoo!  

Your record-breaking response to #1847MinutesForOtterbein inspired a BONUS MATCH. 

Trustee Mark '78 and Deb '77 Thresher P’05 are matching ALL GIFTS $1 for $1 through the end of the campaign, up to $18,470. 

Your response to #1847MinutesForOtterbein has been explosive! 250 donor goal MET.   

Professor of Chemistry, John Tansey, celebrates with an experiment.    

Your gifts support #Otterbein faculty and departments during this critical time. 

President Comerford was inspired by yesterday’s response and is setting a NEW match. He and his wife, Rachel, will give $50 for each of the next 50 donors to the challenge. Will you be one of the 50 matched? 

Rachelle '22  

I am a double major in studio art with a painting concentration and psychology. I am President of the art honors society, Kappa Pi. My favorite spot on campus is the comm/art building. I love spending late nights in there working on my art projects in the studio, it's like my own little world. Thank you for helping keep the studio open and ready for students like me to use anytime! 

#CardinalPride is nationwide with this #1847MinutesForOtterbein challenge! Our farthest donor so far is in California! 

Our horses at Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science are jumping for joy because 200 donors have given to #1847MinutesForOtterbein!    

That means another $10,000 secured for Otterbein thanks to a generous matching gift from trustee Nevalyn Fristche Nevil ‘71! 

Thank you for supporting the area of greatest need for #Otterbein during these uncertain times. 

David W. Fisher serves as chair of the Enrollment & Advancement Committee on Otterbein University's Board of Trustees. He is vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wesley Family Services (formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home) in Worthington, Ohio, and a member of the law firm, Kephart Fisher, LLC, based in Columbus. A native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, Fisher graduated from Otterbein in 1975 with a degree in philosophy and theology. After college, he did graduate work at Candler School of Theology at Emory University before attending law school at Northern Kentucky University. Since earning his law degree in 1981, Fisher has practiced law in central Ohio, first as a public finance lawyer and later as a business lawyer focusing on real estate finance, development and land use matters. He is an active member of Stoneybrook United Methodist Church. He is the second of three generations of his family to attend Otterbein. His parents, brother, two sisters and son also graduated from Otterbein. He lives in Gahanna, Ohio, with his wife, Beth. 

Your gift makes it possible for students to continue to experience the opportunities and academic excellence unique to Otterbein, despite new challenges faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ezekiel (Zeke) ‘23 

I’m a double major in Journalism and Public Relations. During my short, but eventful, time at Otterbein, I would say that my favorite experience was helping put on the Democratic National Debate last fall, which allowed me to observe and interact with over 600 members of the media. Thank you for helping me gain unique experiences that will support my career after graduation! 

Cardy says there’s still time to take part in this record-breaking challenge! 

The 152 donors who have given to #1847MinutesForOtterbein so far inspired trustee Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil '71 to set a NEW challenge! If we reach 200 donors, Nevalyn will give another $10,000! 

Relaunching #1847MinutesForOtterbein!   

Otterbein surpassed the 100-donor milestone, so trustee David W. Fisher ‘75 and Beth J. Fisher P’11 gave $10,000 in support!   

Since 1847, Cardinals have come together to support and care for each other. Can you spare 1 minute to ensure this proud Otterbein tradition continues? 

We did it! 100 donors gave in record time. Because friends accepted the challenge, we unlocked $10,000 for Otterbein! 

Thank you to David W. Fisher '75 And Beth J. Fisher P'11 for your generous challenge gift and to all of the donors who helped us unlock their gift!

Now, let's keep going to get to our goal of 250 donors during 1847 Minutes for Otterbein!

When Otterbein reaches 100 donors— trustee David W. Fisher '75 and Beth J. Fisher P'11 have pledged to unlock a gift of $10,000 in support of Otterbein.