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Wittenberg University president outlines strategic plan, new athletics and community partnerships
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Summary
Dr. Christian Brady, Wittenberg University's 16th president, updated the Springfield City Commission on a new strategic planning process, donor-funded athletics additions and outreach plans including nursing placements and K–12 partnerships.
Dr. Christian Brady, the 16th president of Wittenberg University, told the Springfield City Commission at a work session that the college has launched a strategic planning process and is expanding athletics and community partnerships to support student recruitment and local engagement.
Brady said he arrived on campus June 1, overlapped for a month with the previous president and began leading the university on July 1. "I'm very much a liberal arts person," Brady said, and described a new framing he called the "Wittenberg way," saying it will help students "discern their calling, develop the knowledge and skills needed, for a successful career, and prepare for a purposeful and fulfilling life." The university has received a gift from longtime alumni Bob and Lynn Ness to jump-start the strategic plan, he said.
The presentation focused on two practical priorities: student recruitment and town-gown ties. Brady described several athletics changes intended to broaden enrollment, including adding stunt cheer, bringing back men’s wrestling and adding women’s wrestling, and creating men's and women's ice hockey teams. He said the university plans to add flag football as well and that alumni donors have committed funds to keep the new programs running for the first four years. "Our net tuition revenue for our athletes from these new programs will be the same as if they were nonathletes," Brady said, explaining the budget rationale for the donor-backed start-up funding.
Brady emphasized community connections and said Wittenberg is working to deepen ties with Springfield-area institutions. He noted existing nursing-student placements in town and said he had discussed outreach with Commissioner Tracy Tackett and others at recent events including Kiwanis. He invited the commission to upcoming campus events, including an inauguration and homecoming activities, and suggested the possibility of a future homecoming parade into the city.
Commissioners welcomed the outreach. Commissioner Houston said, "We're very proud here in Springfield to have Wittenberg as part of our community. And we look forward to working with you in any way we can to not only help Wittenberg survive, but thrive." Commissioner Brown described her experience with Upward Bound and Springfield City Schools and encouraged additional connections with district programs.
Brady flagged ongoing steps rather than promised outcomes. He said he is "seeking to confirm" whether an NFL collegiate-partner relationship is available locally and that some items — such as expanding certain programs and formal partnerships with external organizations — remain under development.
The discussion produced no formal actions; commissioners and Brady agreed to continue outreach and coordination. The university’s strategic plan is under way with donor support and planned regular review, and the athletics changes are scheduled to be supported by committed alumni funding for the first four years.
