Gala Celebrates Donor Generosity to Together We Will Campaign

University of Findlay donors gathered for A Night to Remember Gala on April 30, applauding the record-setting success and the Oiler alumni and friends who have elevated the Together We Will comprehensive campaign to new heights.

“Thank you for your role in this historic outpouring of generosity for the University and our outstanding students,” said Ken McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement. “We are here to celebrate those who have led this rising tide of giving to UF – and who kindle generosity in others.”

For the “grand reveal” of the evening, President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., and her husband, Roger, along with UF Board of Trustees chairman Chris Ostrander, and his wife, Dina, led the party in a champagne toast.

As of April 30, President Fell said gifts have totaled more than $90.1 million, and there are still three months remaining in the campaign.

“We are truly grateful to the 11,389 Oiler alumni and friends from all 50 states and 18 countries who have come together to make a gift and be a part of this history-making campaign,” she said.

• 22 percent of donors are Oiler alumni.
• 20 percent live in Hancock County and 60 percent are residents of Ohio.
• 80 endowed scholarships have been created.
• 105 estate gifts have been made.
• 133 horses have been donated and 8,478 pieces of artwork to UF’s Mazza Museum.

Leadership donors to the University were honored with orange and black blown glass awards presented by President Fell.

The first honor, recognizing donors who have given $5 million or more during their lifetime, was presented to Billy ’96 and Brenda Watterson.

The Wattersons made a gift of $6 million to establish the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership at UF, in addition to their extensive support for the Findlay Fund, scholarships, and campus facilities. They also established two endowed funds: the Billy and Brenda Watterson Scholarship and the Billy and Brenda Watterson “Be the Light” Christian Service Award.

Watterson is a serial entrepreneur and has served on the UF Board of Trustees since 2016.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation also was honored as a major supporter of UF with gifts totaling more than $5 million during the past three decades to support scholarships, facility improvements, academic programs, and events, especially in the College of Business.

Marathon’s practice of philanthropy extends to a program in which the company matches donations that employees make to UF or other charities.

The Fortune 500 company’s award was accepted by Brian Partee MBA ’05, of Findlay, Marathon’s chief global optimization officer and a UF Board of Trustees member.

A special honor was presented to Jim Arnosky, a naturalist and national award-winning author and artist, who has contributed more than 1,500 of his original illustrations to UF’s Mazza Museum. A current exhibit of 40 pieces of his artwork are on display at Mazza.

Awards also were presented to donors for consecutive years of giving, including the Golden Achievement Award for those who have made gifts for 50 or more consecutive years; the Lifetime Achievement Award for 40 or more years, and the Loyalty Award for 25 years or more.

As President Fell is retiring this summer, McIntyre took the opportunity to commend her for creating a strong culture of philanthropy on campus.

She and her husband, Roger, have established the Sgt. Robin Vincent Fell Endowed Scholarship, and she is one of the founders of the Women in Philanthropy giving circle at the University.

In addition, they have generously supported the Findlay Fund, the Findlay Forward Scholarships, and numerous campus programs, scholarships, and building projects.

“She is a model of servant leadership, and it has been an honor to work alongside her,” McIntyre noted.

The Together We Will campaign launched August 1, 2019 with an ambitious goal of $75 million to foster scholarships and improve campus facilities, transforming the lives of students and investing in the future.

“For the past seven years, donors have come together to change the lives of students,” McIntyre said. “Together, we are inspiring our students to serve and lead with purpose, passion, and skill. And together, we are facing the challenges ahead and seeking innovative opportunities to launch this University into an even greater future.”

Anyone interested in donating to the campaign may contact the University Advancement office at 419-434-5334 or visit give.findlay.edu.