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
Kristina Kean ('96), Treasurer
Chair, Finance Committee
Vice President, Finance, Miami Valley Hospital
Members
David Deptula (’80), Immediate Past Chair
Vice President of Legal and Special Projects
Dayton Freight Lines, Inc.
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
Michael Clark (’88)
Audit Committee
Engagement Committee
CEO, Electro Rent
Roberta Cornist-Bordeneau
Governance Committee
Engagement Committee
Undergraduate Student Trustee
Wright State University
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
David Dirksen (’88)
Finance Committee
Grants Committee
Managing Partner, Flagel Huber Flagel
David Donaldson (’88)
Chair, Grants Committee
Director of Consumer and Small Business Lending, WesBanco
Karla Garrett Harshaw ('84, '13)
Chair, Engagement Committee
Audit Committee
Administrator, Iddings Foundation
Tom Gunlock
Chair, University Board of Trustees
University Board of Trustees Representative
Janet Heppard (’81)
Audit Committee
Grants Committee
Family Law Judge
Professor of Practice, University of Houston Law Center
Sharon Honaker Rab (’75)
Governance Committee
Engagement Committee
Retired Educator
Founder and Co-Chair, Dayton Literary Peace Prize
Peter Julian (’71)
Investment Committee
Grants Committee
President, Pathfinder Realty, Inc.
Vercie Lark (’86)
Investment Committee
Grants Committee
Portfolio Partner, Naples Technology Venture’s Prosperity Fund
Gary McCullough (’81)
Finance Committee
Grants Committee
Private Investor
Keith Meyer ('01)
Investment Committee
Alumni Association Representative
Sr. Vice Pres., Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Hernan Olivas
Governance Committee
President and CEO
O’Neil & Associates
Randy Phillips (’82)
Investment Committee
Senior Vice President for Corporate Development
ASGN
MARC PORTER ('77)
Governance Committee
Distinguished Professor of
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Pathology
University of Utah
Bob Reynolds (’88)
Audit Committee
Grants Committee
Retired Audit Services Director
Michael Robertson, M.D., M.B.A.
Finance Committee
Alumni Association Representative
Middletown Family Practice
Danielle Rolfes (’97)
Audit Committee
Partner, Co-lead International Tax, Washington National Tax,
KPMG US
Natasha Sandella
Governance Committee
Grants Committee
Graduate Student Representative
Student Director, ONEIL Center
Executive Board Member and President Emeritus, Wright State Entrepreneurship Club
Tom Sheehan
Investment Committee
Grants Committee
Retired Human Resources Executive
Pamela vonMatthiessen, D.V.M., M.D. (’98)
Governance Committee
Engagement Committee
Retired Physician
Matthew Watson ('07)
Investment Committee
Financial Advisor
UBS Financial Services
Brittney C. Whiteside
University Board of Trustees Representative
Vice President, Collegiate Partnerships Altius Partners
Loghan Young (’18, ‘20)
Governance Committee
Grants Committee
Program Manager
Air Force Institute of Technology
Ex-officio Members
Susan Edwards, Ph.D., President, Wright State University
Foundation Staff
Robert T. Batson, Chief Financial Officer
