The power of philanthropy
A message from James Anderson ’85, Denison trustee and co-chair of the Campaign Executive Committee.
Proudly Denison
Each year, philanthropic giving to Denison enriches the student experience, deepens intellectual inquiry, and makes our campus an unmatched destination for many of today’s most promising students. Below are some figures that demonstrate Denison’s strength and vibrancy which is made possible with help from our donors.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The Experience
2024 donors helped all Denisonians
Building on past support, 2024’s giving positions Denison as one of the few colleges to give students a life-shaping education and launch them quickly and successfully into lives and careers. Focused on the college’s strategic priorities, donor support continues to propel Denison toward its vision of being one of the most respected universities in the country — a college that has stayed true to its roots while also adapting to meet the needs of its students.
As the son of immigrants, Dr. William Chin marvels that he and his five siblings were all able to attend private, out-of-state college, at a time when merit-based scholarships were rare. His parents worked hard as owners of a small neighborhood grocery store in Mississippi and pushed their children to pursue higher education and growth. Two Chin children graduated from Columbia College, two graduated from Barnard College, one graduated from New York University, and William graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “I regret that I did not truly thank my mother for her encouragement,” he says. “Throughout my professional career, I saw the value of an education.”
Dr. Chin’s wife, Dr. Patricia Chin, is equally committed to education, holding multiple degrees culminating in a DNSc and retiring from Cal State LA after directing its nursing school. The Chins’ respective upbringings and their shared experiences as parents (and now grandparents) reflect their true family values, of which education is key. Their daughter, Pamela, graduated from Mount Holyoke and later from law school at American University, while their son, William Chin ʼ91, graduated from Denison with a physics degree and later earned an MS from Boston University.
Now, the Chins are paying forward the gifts of their education through the Chin Family Scholars Fund. Each academic year, at least one Denison student is named a Chin Scholar and is freed of financial burden for all four years of their undergraduate education. “Each graduate from Denison without debt brings tremendous hope for humankind,” says Dr. Chin.
Already, the Chins’ generosity has provided Monica Morales ʼ27, a biochemistry major from Dalton, Ga., with unforgettable experiences, laying the groundwork for her life and career after she leaves The Hill. “I am honored that this opportunity has been given to me to attend such a prestigious university as Denison,” she says. “I have flourished academically and mentally through this first semester. I’ve been exposed to so many new opportunities that have led me to improve as a student and as a person.”
An attitude of gratitude | The Michelle ’88 and Michael Warner Endowed Fund for Chicago Area Students
Michelle Vilcheck Warner ʼ88 and her husband, Mike, know the satisfaction inherent in supporting the experiences of curious, driven students. By funding an annual summer internship at a Chicago-based nonprofit through Denison’s Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, the Warners saw firsthand how students thrive when their financial needs are met. “We are happy to be able to contribute to all that Denison is doing to support students, while also supporting the Chicago nonprofit community,” Michelle says.
Michelle became curious about other ways to help students. She remained connected to Denison through the years — as a career advisor, member of the Board of Advisors, admission ambassador, Alumni Citation recipient, and current co-chair of the Four Forward women’s philanthropy initiative. Fueled by an appreciation for the college she credits as “life-changing,” the Warners were ready to take their philanthropic journey at Denison a step further. “I’m at a point in my life where I can give, and I want to give back,” Michelle says.
The Warners learned of the QuestBridge program, which connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading higher education institutions. “But for these scholarships, these students could not attend a school like Denison,” Michelle says. “This is a chance to help someone who otherwise wouldn’t have this opportunity.”
By establishing the Michelle ʼ88 and Michael Warner Endowed Fund for Chicago Area Students, the Warners are leaving a legacy of support — similar to Michelle’s experience of graduating college debt-free, thanks to a benefactor. “What a gift,” she says. “I want to give that to someone else.”
The years Michelle spent at Denison were transformative, leading not only to law school and a successful career but also to her confidence and ability to relate to people. “Denison taught me how to think,” she says. “I would not be who I am today. I can’t imagine a different life.” Now the Warners are making a different life possible for deserving students, through the gift of a Denison education.
Academic Innovation
Unforgettable stories from central Ohio
The Gift
Community engagement and experiential learning are core tenets of academic innovation at Denison, and few projects reflect these values as strongly as The Reporting Project, a nonprofit news outlet of our journalism program.
A visit to thereportingproject.org reveals that Denison’s dedicated student journalists are deeply engaged in telling stories that show how themes of national importance play out in local communities. This year alone, the project’s reporters have covered the economic fragility of local families, food insecurity, regional politics, and the environmental impact of unprecedented development in central Ohio.
Funded by a generous gift from Sue Douthit O’Donnell ’67 for narrative nonfiction writing and a grant from the Mellon Foundation in 2018, The Reporting Project focuses on training Denison students to become empathetic storytellers, offering perspectives that are neglected in national media conversations and deepening the relationship between Denison, Licking County, and central Ohio. The project has quickly become a vital source for local news and is gaining a broader reputation for excellence as demonstrated by six statewide awards recently presented by the Society for Professional Journalists.
The Impact
In addition to growing readership and having its stories picked up by numerous other outlets, The Reporting Project received special recognition in 2024. Each year, the Louis Kussmaul Friendship Award recognizes a Denison student who contributes to the “friendly relations” between the college and the Granville community. The award was funded by 1899 Denison alum Harry Amos and honors the memory of Louis Kussmaul, who worked for the Granville Times in the 1800s.
Recent graduate Jack Nimesheim ʼ24 — a journalism major, Big Red football player, and President’s Medal winner — was selected as the 2024 Kussmaul Award honoree. He says he has come to know and love the Granville community through his work with The Reporting Project.
Nimesheim has written stories on school levies, the ripple effects of the Intel development, and how the Granville schools managed the COVID-19 pandemic. His yearlong senior research project produced profiles of people who have had a positive influence on Granville. He held internships with both the Newark Advocate and the Columbus Dispatch and has participated in many local events.
Regarding his work in the community, Nimesheim said, “So often, the Granville residents I came across — whether I was working on a story, visiting a local business, or even just walking around town — went out of their way to take an interest in my life as a Denison student.”
Launching Careers and Lives
Summer Scholars pursue meaningful research
Denison’s flagship Summer Scholars program gives students in all disciplines a unique venue in which to experiment with ideas and artistic expression, pursue an intellectual passion, and/or focus intently on the resolution of a question over a sustained period of time, free from the pressures of grades and credit.
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has recognized Denison as a leader in undergraduate research with the organization’s award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA).
Endowed funds provided by Denisonians support approximately 130 students pursuing full-time independent research or collaborative work under the close supervision of a faculty member for up to 10 weeks during the summer.
Below are examples of the research and experience gained by Summer Scholars in 2023.
Gia-Huy Do ’26: This summer, I had the privilege of delving deep into the realm of AI, working on a project that explored the ethical considerations and societal impacts of AI applications. With the guidance of my mentor, I investigated how AI can be harnessed for social good while navigating potential challenges and biases. This research experience has not only expanded my knowledge but also solidified my passion for the field of AI and its potential to shape a more equitable and innovative future. Denison University has been an exceptional platform for me to grow both academically and personally.
Lula Burke ’24: I performed research at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the summer of 2023, trying to reconstruct canopy structure from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (the closest analog we have to modern climate change) using fossil leaves. This past October, I was able to present my research at the Geological Society of America because of your support. This experience was incredible, and I worked with one of the most well-known paleobotanists in the world.
Susannah Snell ’26: Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting my Denison Summer Scholars research project. Over the course of five weeks, I grew immensely and spent valuable time with my supervising professor, Dr. Andrew Frankel. Specifically, I learned how to conduct qualitative ethnographic research using semi-structured interviews and document analysis In addition to the new academic skills I learned, I am very grateful for the experience because it allowed me to gain a mentor on Denison’s campus.
The Fulbright Fulcrum
The Gift
A fulcrum amplifies and directs power and motion. Picture a seesaw, a crowbar, or a pair of scissors — they all use fulcrums for support, balance, and intensification. Their fulcrums are the pivot points around which levers turn — the nexus between effort and resistance.
The same can be said of financial aid. It’s a pivot point that amplifies opportunity and empowers action. Financial aid enables students to say “yes” to enrolling at Denison and “yes” to life-changing experiences such as studying abroad. Its relief of student debt burden also helps make it possible for our students to pursue amazing opportunities after graduation.
So it’s no surprise that we see many students who have benefited from financial aid among our annual group of Fulbright Scholars. Denison has been a top producer of Fulbrights nationally for six of the last seven years.
Gifts to financial aid not only give our students strong roots on The Hill, but they also provide the solid foundation needed to pursue independent research abroad and to represent the United States to the world.
The Impact
Fulbright grants are awarded based on academic and professional achievement, as well as applicants’ records of service and leadership potential in their respective fields. “Denison students are bright, driven, and intellectually curious about the world around them,” says President Adam Weinberg. “They graduate ready to hit the ground running, and these Fulbright awards underscore that readiness to contribute to important global conversations.”
Young alums who have leveraged the benefit of financial aid on the path to their Fulbright include:
Audra Kimbell ’23, who studied abroad in Spain with support from the John & Suzy Hutchins Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad, is experiencing the “most formative months” of her life teaching in Mexico.
“It has been an incredible journey,” she says. “I’m meeting countless people, living in and exploring Yucatán on my own as well as with new friends I’ve made along the way, and enjoying a year out of graduation that looks very different to that of many of my peers.”
Fernanda Aiala ’23 received support from the Geisen Family Endowed Scholarship Fund and is teaching English in Colombia.
“Living in Colombia has taught me and helped me grow as a person,” she says. “I’m so grateful that my time at Denison has prepared me to have experiences like these.”
Enhancing Student Life
Breathing new life into a treasured icon
Swasey Chapel is many things to many Denisonians: a beloved gathering place, the highest point on campus, and a lodestar for generations of students and alums returning home to The Hill. In 2024 that list expanded to include “centenarian,” as the chapel turned 100 years old!
Dedicated in 1924 and funded by trustee Ambrose Swasey, the chapel was built as a house of worship and served as the centerpiece of the Greater Denison expansion plan. Today, it hosts ceremonies both spiritual and secular, performances and artists of all genres, and too many weddings to count.
The centerpiece of Swasey Chapel is its 3,207-pipe, 100-year-old organ. To maintain and revitalize this cherished asset, a group of donors led by William Osborne, a distinguished professor emeritus of fine arts, and joined by James Carpenter ’54 and T.J. Hodgman ’78, and others, raised funds to renovate the organ, ensuring it will continue to play beautifully for years to come.
Lifelong Engagement
The enduring power of women
In April 2024, Denison launched Four Forward, a dynamic philanthropy initiative that harnesses the power of collective giving and celebrates the legacy of women at Denison. Founded on research stating that women give differently than men — and that many women prefer to collaborate as part of a group rather than contribute solely as individuals — Four Forward seeks to unite women across generations to uplift each other and the entire Denison community.
Several university luminaries stepped forward enthusiastically to serve as Four Forward co-chairs: Denison trustee Kathryn Correia ʼ79, former Denison employee Kathleen Shelton ʼ85, and Denison Board of Advisors members Vivian Quaye ʼ03 and Michelle Warner ʼ88. “Denison is an incredible organization that pulls us toward each other through shared experience,” says Correia. “I love considering the possibilities of our collective impact.”
“While honoring the impact of women’s philanthropy, Four Forward welcomes all members of the Denison community who share its vision of collaborative support and transformative giving. Four Forward welcomes everyone passionate about its mission of access, achievement, connection, and philanthropy to join this transformative community. To learn more visit denison.edu/fourforward.
The name Four Forward honors the first four women to graduate from Denison in 1900 and pays homage to the four years a student typically studies at Denison. While Four Forward draws inspiration from these trailblazing women, it looks to the future, supporting and empowering all Denisonians to make their mark on the world. It also represents the concept of four arcs that, when combined, form an enduring circle of support for all stages of a Denisonian’s life.
Four Forward funds support students on their journey into Denison by championing access and affordability. As students move through their education, Four Forward supports off-campus studies, career services, and entrepreneurial explorations. After graduation, Four Forward encourages network-building and the formation of nourishing connections as new alums venture into their lives. Four Forward also fosters meaningful engagement opportunities for Denisonians when they return to campus, paying it forward for the next generation.
Connecting across time and place | Denison Everywhere
Philanthropy 2024 at a Glance
$60,548,958
8,927
8,078
Highlights from Fiscal Year 2024
Reunion
More than 1,100 alums returned to The Hill, making this the biggest Reunion in recent memory.
Knowlton Center for Career Exploration
Our nationally recognized career services were further boosted by another transformational gift from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation.
Day of Giving
1,264 donors gave $638,725.80, making 2024 our best Day of Giving so far.
Ask a Denisonian
Students and alumni are connecting in new and exciting ways. Thanks to this AI-powered tool, 885 alums have provided more than 1,100 answers to more than 500 questions.
Marilyn P. McConnell Planetarium
We completed renovations and the digitization of this 42-seat interdisciplinary facility.
Every gift counts
Gifts under $1,000 accounted for $891,882 in collective impact!
Denison’s Annual Fund is the great enabler
The Annual Fund consists of unrestricted cash gifts available for immediate use. These vital funds help cover the difference between tuition and the full cost of educating today’s students.
Here are just a few initiatives that were supported by gifts to the Annual Fund in 2024: