Lake Campus Community Steps Up to the Plate

Celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Wright State's Lake Campus are, from left: Katy Dicke, Western Ohio Educational Foundation Board Member; Lake Campus Dean Jim Sayer; WSU President David Hopkins and his wife, Angelia; Senator Keith Faber; Representative Jim Zehringer; and Jim Dicke III, President of Crown Equipment Corporation.

On Thursday, October 1, 2009, the Lake Campus welcomed more than 800 community members in celebration of the completion of its $9 million renovation and construction project. Following a brief ceremony in the new James F. Dicke Hall, featuring speakers Jim Sayer, Lake Campus Dean, Wright State University President Dr. David Hopkins, and WOEF Development Officer Tom Knapke, guided tours were held throughout the evening.

The Lake Campus Capital Campaign, which funded more than 50% of the project, owes its success to the community. To date, 391 businesses, organizations and individuals contributed over $4,150,000 to the Campaign. Major campaign contributors included Jack Schenking and the Reynolds & Reynolds Company.

A key donation from Celina Aluminum Precision Technology (or CAPT), funded a new state-of-the-art science wing, and the lead gift from the James F. Dicke Family enhanced the entire Lake Campus facility and created the James F. Dicke Academic Center, including James F. Dicke Hall.

The Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) was established in 1962 in response to a growing desire for residents of the region to have access to higher education. The founding members included citizens from across Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, and Van Wert counties.

Since its inception there has been a member of the James F. Dicke Family serving on the WOEF Board, beginning with James F. Dicke I, a founding member, and continuing today with his granddaughter-in-law, Katy Dicke. Katy's husband, Jim Dicke III, is president of Crown Equipment Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of electric lift trucks and other material handling products, located in New Bremen, Ohio.

Crown Equipment Corporation and the James F. Dicke Family are well-known throughout the region for their philanthropic efforts. The Lake Campus Amphitheatre, built in 1987, bears the Crown name. In 2006 Katy Dicke announced a challenge grant of $2 million to the Lake Campus, kicking off the successful Capital Campaign that would lead to this building and renovation project.