About the Foundation

Our History

The Wright State University Foundation was incorporated on December 15, 1966. Our founders were leaders of business and industry from throughout the Dayton region. Robert S. Oelman from National Cash Register Company, James M. Cox, Jr. from the Dayton Daily News, Eugene W. Kettering from Winters National Bank, Richard O. Michael from Champion Papers, and C. William Verity from Armco Steel Corporation were among those serving on our first board of trustees.

Thanks to the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations from throughout our region, state, and nation, the Wright State University Foundation has distributed more than $51 million in scholarships and established 811 scholarship funds over the last five decades.

The Wright State University Foundation has also successfully spearheaded two comprehensive fundraising campaigns: Tomorrow Takes Flight and Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University.

The Tomorrow Takes Flight campaign concluded in late 2006 with a final total of $123.1 million, more than triple the original goal of $40 million. Two hundred new scholarships were created, along with five endowed chairs and professorships and two named colleges.

Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University concluded on June 30, 2017, with more than $167.7 million raised for scholarships, attracting more top-flight faculty, and supporting construction of state-of-the-art facilities. 31,310 donors supported the campaign, including 17,659 first-time donors to Wright State. Fifteen Wright State alumni each donated $1 million or more to Rise. Shine.

Our Vision

The Wright State University Foundation’s vision is to be a best-in-class foundation, matching the resources, passion, and commitment of our donors with the needs of students and the strategic direction of the university.

Our Mission

The Wright State University Foundation's mission is to partner with Wright State University in providing funding that assists students from the Dayton region and beyond to obtain an affordable, quality education by:

promoting and facilitating a culture of engagement and philanthropy
prudently protecting, managing, and investing funds entrusted to it
disbursing funds aligned with the university's mission and priorities and ensuring funds disbursed are used as intended

Our Values

We are committed to:

The needs of students and the passion of our donors
Responsible stewardship of resources with accountability and transparency
Long-term relationships with the community and alumni
Diversity and inclusiveness
Innovation and resourcefulness

Our Strategic Plan

Developed in 2021, the Wright State University Foundation’s strategic plan focuses on opportunities directly in control of the foundation, positions it for an even greater impact on the future of Wright State University, and complements the foundation’s role as the preeminent fundraising arm for Wright State University.

Download the Strategic Plan (DOCX).

Our Board of Trustees

Officers

David Deptula (’80), Chair

Vice President of Legal and Special Projects
Dayton Freight Lines, Inc.

Linda Black-Kurek (’78), Vice Chair

Chair, Investment Committee
President, Liberty Health Care Corporation

Bill Diederich (’91), Secretary

Chair, Governance Committee

Kristina Kean ('96), Treasurer

Chair, Finance Committee
Vice President, Finance, Miami Valley Hospital

Scott Rash, Foundation President & CEO

Members

Martha Balyeat (’03)

Audit Committee
WOEF Board Representative
City Auditor, City of Van Wert

Anupam Bedi ('97)

Audit Committee
Co-Founder and CEO
Andean Advisory

Samia Borchers, M.D. (’81)

Investment Committee
Dermatologist
Dayton, Ohio

Emily Bundesen ('20)

Governance Committee
Grants Committee
Graduate Student Trustee
Wright State University

Douglas A. Cook (’81, ’85)

Finance Committee
Retired

MICHAEL DANIELS

Investment Committee
Engagement Committee
Retired Executive Vice President
Oxford Development Company

Holly Di Flora

Finance Committee
Owner, The Home Group Realty Company

Megan Dines, M.D. (’08)

Audit Committee
Academy of Medicine Representative
Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine
Miami Valley Hospital, Emergency Medicine Attending