By Cole Hatcher/OWU
Ohio Wesleyan University is entering a new phase of national momentum, supported by the two largest years of philanthropic investment in its history. In Fiscal Year 2026, alumni, parents, and friends gave more than $94 million in gifts and multi-year pledges to the university. That total represents a 35% increase over the previous record of $69.4 million in FY25, which itself marked a dramatic leap from historic annual philanthropic support levels for OWU.
“Philanthropic investment of this magnitude reflects extraordinary confidence in the direction of Ohio Wesleyan,” said President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D. “Our donors are helping us capitalize our strategy, rooted in boldness, kindness, and innovation, by building the permanent programs, opportunities, and institutional capacity that will shape OWU for generations. We have an ambitious vision for OWU’s future, and we are deeply grateful that our alumni and friends are investing at unprecedented scale to bring it to fruition.”
With their record 2026 giving, a total of 5,300 donors invested $94,046,438 in such critical needs as endowed OWU Connection learning experiences for students, endowed scholarships and expanded access programs, permanent faculty support, and major strategic initiatives including:
- A groundbreaking school of engineering. A $13 million lead gift from George Conrades, OWU Class of 1961, and Patricia “Patsy” Belt Conrades, Class of 1963, endows Ohio Wesleyan’s Conrades School of Engineering, one of the nation’s first named, endowed schools of engineering at a liberal arts college. The Conrades School will open in fall 2027 with a mechanical engineering major and complementary minors in Engineering Science and Science & Engineering in the Public Interest. Donors have given more than $17 million to support the school, including $2 million from Doug Dittrick Jr., Class of 1955, and his partner, Gina Boesch, and $2 million from Gordon Smith, Class of 1954, and Helen Crider Smith, Class of 1956.
- A national model for faculty development. A $10 million gift from Katherine Boles Smith, OWU Class of 1971, and her husband, Alton Smith, endows the Smith Center for Faculty Excellence, launched in 2024 to strengthen teaching effectiveness, engaged learning, and curricular innovation. The Smith Center is one of the best-funded faculty-support centers among U.S. liberal arts colleges.
- A pioneering success center for first-generation students. A $5 million gift from Thomas Palmer, OWU Class of 1969, and his wife, Susan Palmer, honorary Class of 2023, establishes the Palmer Center for First-Generation Student Success, building on OWU’s work to establish itself as a national leader in supporting students who are the first in their families to attend college.
OWU Trustee Hamburg Tang, whose son, Tyler, graduated from the university in May, said it is inspiring to watch students grow during their time as Bishops as they discover who they want to be.
“Every time I talk to my son, I see the transformative power of Ohio Wesleyan,” Tang said. “Every time I talk to the faculty, meet with leadership, attend a campus event, or meet alumni, I experience the power of Ohio Wesleyan. I am honored to support such a special place that changes so many lives for the better.”
Trustee Ellen Simpson, a 1977 graduate, also feels the spark of positivity and potential in the OWU air.
“Ohio Wesleyan is working to meet students where they are and help them figure out their futures, rather than requiring them to have their course in life set at age 18,” said Simpson, who built a professional career in both secondary and college enrollment and advancement administration. “I am excited to see where Ohio Wesleyan goes next, building systems that enable students to explore and grow while still graduating on time and budget.”
George and Patsy Conrades said they are excited to support Ohio Wesleyan’s resurgence.
“Our lives have been entwined with Ohio Wesleyan since we were students some 70 years ago,” the couple said. “This moment feels special. It is exciting to watch Ohio Wesleyan innovate and thrive as a leading private liberal arts University. We are honored to support this renaissance and to help generations of new Bishops find their passion and impact lives around the world.”
Learn more about the many ways to give to Ohio Wesleyan at owu.edu/give.
Source: OWU; Photo: Ohio Wesleyan is announcing a record $94 million in philanthropy for Fiscal Year 2026, including $17 million to launch the Conrades School of Engineering. The school will open in fall 2027 in OWU’s Schimmel/Conrades Science Center. (Photo by Paul Vernon)
