Wright State University

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY-LAKE CAMPUS

Contact Public Relations Specialist: Sandi Holdheide
419-586-0359 or sandi.holdheide@wright.edu.

Lake Campus Celebrates Student Housing

Building named in honor of Tom Knapke, WOEF Development Officer

Celina, Ohio – The Lake Campus of Wright State University held a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the first building of the Student Housing Villas on Friday, October 7. Joined by Wright State University President David Hopkins, Lake Campus Dean Bonnie Mathies, Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board members, and representatives from the Wright State University Board of Trustees as well as faculty, staff and students of Wright State University, WOEF Development Officer Tom Knapke had the honors of cutting the ribbon in the ceremony.

A welcome by Dean Mathies was followed by remarks from Dr. Hopkins, in which he recognized that the student housing was the next step in facilitating campus growth, and highlighted the community spirit of the Lake Campus and the WOEF Board.

“Your amazing support helps change the lives of our students every day,” said Hopkins. “From scholarships to student housing, you have made our Lake Campus a wonderful place to live, learn, and grow.”

Tom Knapke, a key force in the development of the housing initiative, then thanked several individuals, businesses and organizations involved in the project. To Knapke’s surprise, WOEF members Bernie Schroer, Dee Whitcraft and Lake Campus employee Dennis Ray revealed the name of the first building: Knapke Villa. Knapke’s family joined him in this great honor, recognizing his tireless efforts and long-lasting tenure as a significant supporter of the Lake Campus.

For more information about Lake Campus housing, please go to http://www.wright.edu/lake/housing or call the Lake Campus at 419-586-0300.

Pictured below:

Top: Wright State University President David Hopkins, Lake Campus Dean Bonnie Mathies, Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board members, and representatives from the Wright State University Board of Trustees join WOEF Development Officer Tom Knapke in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Center: The first building of the student housing at the Lake Campus will be named Knapke Villa, in honor of WOEF Development Officer Tom Knapke.

Bottom: WOEF Development Officer Tom Knapke is joined by his family after being honored by having their name grace the new student housing building, Knapke Villa. Shown, from left, are daughter Beth Westgerdes, son Gregg Knapke and daughter-in-law Deborah Knapke, wife Ann, family friend Sandra Renfro, Tom, and nephew Dan Schenking.

Mathies Appointed Dean to Wright State University Lake Campus

Bonnie K. Mathies, Ph.D., has been appointed dean of the Wright State University Lake Campus effective May 1, 2011. She has served as interim dean since August 2010 following three years as associate dean of the Lake Campus.

"Dr. Mathies has shown her dedication to this university and its students for more than three decades," said Wright State Provost Steven R. Angle, Ph.D. "Her excellent reputation as an educator and administrator make her an excellent choice for this role."

Mathies began her career as a teacher in Oberlin City and Toledo Public Schools, where she spent 10 years. In 1974, she came to Wright State as an instructor in the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS). She became chair of educational technology and allied programs in 1988 and assistant dean for communication and technology in 1994.

Mathies served as associate dean of the CEHS from 2000 until her move to Lake Campus in 2007. She was responsible for overseeing the $10 million renovation of Allyn Hall, Wright State's first building.

She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Faculty Excellence Award from the Southwestern Ohio Council of Higher Education, the Jan Schneider Award for Excellence in Educational Technology from the Southwestern Ohio Instructional Technology Association, and an Award of Merit from the Ohio Educational Library Media Association. Mathies has also been published in several academic publications.

Mathies earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Toledo. Her teaching areas include educational technology leadership, school library media and educational computing.

$206,000 in Scholarships Awarded at the Lake Campus
Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board raises funds to provide for Lake Campus students

CELINA, Ohio – Wright State University – Lake Campus recently held their annual scholarship reception on September 12, 2010, in James F. Dicke Hall. This year 154 scholarship awards totaling $206,000 were given to 116 Lake Campus students. Awards ranged from a few hundred dollars in book scholarships to full-tuition. At the ceremony, WOEF Board Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Katy Dicke and Lake Campus Interim Dean Bonnie Mathies addressed the scholarship recipients.

For four decades the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board has responded to the community’s need for higher education, and they are an integral part of Lake Campus success. Since 1995 the WOEF Board has awarded more than $2 million in scholarship funds. The Lake Campus Scholarship Fund would not be in existence without community donations and the tireless efforts of Tom Knapke, WOEF Board Development Officer, and Sandy Gilbert, Coordinator of the Scholarship Program at the Lake Campus.

A list of the 2010-2011 scholarship recipients and the applications for the 2011-2012 scholarships can be found at www.wright.edu/lake/prospective/scholarships.html. If you are interested in contributing to scholarship funds at the Lake Campus, please call Thomas Knapke, WOEF Development Officer, at 419-586-0389.

Don Montgomery Recognized for Lake Campus Contributions

CELINA, OH – On Monday, August 27, 2010, Don Montgomery was recognized for his early contributions toward the formation of the Western Ohio College which would become the Lake Campus. Montgomery is Chairman of the Board at Celina Insurance Group and a former member of the Board of Trustees at Ohio Northern University. He was an integral part of promoting higher education in the region and offering suitable facilities for the first classrooms of the Western Ohio College at a building owned by Celina Insurance Group. Don’s son, Bill Montgomery, President of Celina Insurance Group, accepted the plaque of recognition on behalf of his father, as he was unable to attend.

Pictured: Bill Montgomery, son of Don Montgomery, is shown with current WOEF Board Members Ed Noble (left) and Bill Meikle (right). Noble and Meikle have been long-time members of the WOEF Board and have given years of dedication to the Lake Campus.

For more information about the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board please contact Tom Knapke at 419-586-0389 or thomas.knapke@wright.edu.

Bonnie Mathies Named Interim Lake Campus Dean

Previous experience includes service as Lake Campus Associate Dean

CELINA, Ohio – Wright State University has appointed Bonnie K. Mathies, Ph.D., as Interim Dean of the Lake Campus. A Professor Emerita of Education, Dr. Mathies recently served as the Associate Dean of the Lake Campus for the past three years. Dr. Mathies has 36 years of service at Wright State, having completed 33 years in the College of Education and Human Services as a faculty member, department chair, and associate dean.

Dr. Mathies replaces James E. Sayer, Ph.D. who retired from Wright State University on June 30, 2010, after thirty-six years of service to the university. Dr. Sayer was named Dean at the Lake Campus in September 2007, and oversaw the completion of the $9 million renovation and construction project, as well as brought new programs such as criminal justice and mechanical engineering to the region. He watched the enrollment increase 61% during his tenure at the Lake Campus, and remained connected to the community.

Having worked with Dr. Sayer at the Lake Campus for nearly three years and many more at the Dayton campus, Dr. Mathies has the capability to serve in this key leadership role and maintain the positive momentum of the campus. “Dr. Mathies is an excellent fit for this position, having served as an associate dean at the Lake Campus for almost three years. She is a capable, well-respected faculty member and administrator,” said Provost Steven R. Angle, Ph.D.

Dr. Mathies earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Toledo. An expert in educational technology, Dr. Mathies has published and presented extensively in the areas of library media, technology, and electronic portfolios.

Faculty and staff at the Lake Campus are excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with Dr. Mathies in her new leadership role. “I have enjoyed my work here at the Lake Campus, and I am honored to have been appointed to keep the Lake Campus moving forward. I continue to admire the hard working Lake Campus students and the deep ties to the community that are evident here,” Dr. Mathies states.

A new search for a permanent dean will begin in January of 2011. And it is anticipated that a permanent dean will be in place in the fall of that year.