A message from Suzy Kriscunas 鈥72
Friends,
Thanks to your support, Denison is thriving 鈥 more engaged, more innovative, and more attuned to the needs of tomorrow鈥檚 students than ever before. But we’re really just beginning.
In less than a decade, we’ve bolstered our career exploration services through the Knowlton Center, gaining national recognition for best-in-class career programs.
The re-envisioning and expansion of Doane Hall as a hub for data sciences will equip our students with the skills needed to navigate a data-driven world and further cement the college鈥檚 reputation as an innovator among liberal arts colleges. Finally, Denison is making game-changing investments in financial aid. Read more below about why I choose to give the gift of scholarship to Denison students.
As you read through this report, I hope you鈥檒l be as inspired as I am by what we can be when we work together. On behalf of myself, the Board of Trustees, and Denisonians everywhere, thank you for your generous contributions to this one-of-a-kind community.
Suzanne Kriscunas 鈥72, B.A., M.A., MBA
Denison Trustee
Co-chair, Campaign Executive Committee
Distinctly Denison
Each year, philanthropy plays a vital role in elevating the Denison experience 鈥 enhancing academic exploration, enriching student life, and helping us attract some of the most talented students of this generation. These are a few of the figures that reflect the strength and vitality of our community, made possible by the generosity of our supporters.
Affordability equals opportunity
Transformative Reese Gift Supports Scholarships
A $7 million gift from David Reese 鈥62 and his wife, Weezie, will help ensure that a life-shaping Denison education remains accessible for all admitted students. The Reese family鈥檚 transformative gift will enhance their endowed scholarship fund, which is dedicated to reducing student loan debt and ensuring th最新萝莉社 can meet 100% of the demonstrated need for talented students from all backgrounds.
鈥淒avid and Weezie understand the importance of helping students afford a college degree,鈥 said Denison President Adam Weinberg. 鈥淏etter aid packages attract top students regardless of their ability to pay. The combination of a superior education, thorough career preparation, and reduced debt gives Denison鈥檚 graduates a unique advantage in their post-graduate lives. We are grateful for David and Weezie鈥檚 generosity.鈥
The David E. Reese Endowed Scholars Fund provides financial support to students for all four years of their education as long as they meet the financial aid criteria. This fund also eliminates the loan expectation for recipients, aligning with Denison鈥檚 commitment since 2017 to meet the full demonstrated need of every accepted student.
Denison renamed an administrative building, formerly known as Beth Eden, to Reese House in recognition of the Reeses鈥 impact on Denison鈥檚 students.
What We Share: A Conversation Between Suzy Kriscunas & Isabella Ammerman
For Suzy Kriscunas 鈥72, philanthropy is not just about giving; it鈥檚 also about seeing the tangible difference gifts make. Each conversation she has with a student who received financial aid made possible through philanthropy reaffirms the profound importance of making Denison accessible to talented students. Recently, Suzy spoke with Isabella Ammerman 鈥25. The conversation illuminated the timeless ways in which a Denison education prepares students for life.
Suzy Kriscunas: Isabella, what brought you to Denison?
Isabella Ammerman: I heard about it through the grapevine. A lot of people I know ended up playing sports here, and I looked it up and saw that the size was very appealing. My mom went to school in Ohio, so I thought I’d come out and visit and give it a try. I ended up loving it during my tour.
SK: I grew up in Indianapolis, and I wanted to go to a small school. I started looking further away from home, and my parents got more cooperative the closer I got to Indiana, so we sort of settled on Ohio. When I saw Denison, I knew that was the place for me. I majored in French and loved it while I was here. What about you?
IA: I’m a Global Commerce major. I took a Commerce and Society class my freshman year, and then stuck with it. It ended up being one of the best decisions of my time 最新萝莉社. That class gave me incredible opportunities to learn. This past winter, I went on the capstone trip to London and Dublin. It was one of my favorite experiences 最新萝莉社. Study abroad was incredible as well. I went to Madrid because I鈥檓 a Spanish minor, and all of my classes were in Spanish.
SK: I think study abroad was one of the most impactful things of my Denison experience. It teaches you a lot about yourself and how you can solve problems without your mom and dad being around.
IA: I was going to say the exact same thing. It was the farthest I’d ever traveled and my first experience living in a city, and it was definitely a culture shock. It was great to just immerse myself and learn so much. It ended up being a life-changing experience. What else did you learn 最新萝莉社?
SK: In addition to teaching me the basic fundamentals that you learn in liberal arts, the important things were always problem-solving, how to communicate clearly with others, how to think critically, and having persistence and resiliency.
When you have all those experiences like you had in study abroad, you just learn a lot about and gain self-confidence in what you can do, and I think those are really helpful, whatever you do in life. You can learn different skills along the way, but if you’ve got those things, you can tackle anything.
IA: I couldn’t agree more. I also think th最新萝莉社 teaches you how to be a kind person, and to recognize the importance of community and supporting the people around you. Do you have any advice for me as I’m entering the job search and the real world?
SK: Keep your sense of humor and continue to persevere because you will find something, and you will find something you love. Don鈥檛 be afraid to pursue an unexpected and unplanned opportunity because what I found in my career, some of those things that I wasn’t expecting or didn’t plan for turned out to be some of the best experiences that I had.
Going Beyond the Hill: Deepening Our Commitment to Off-Campus Study
Travel broadens the mind by exposing one to different cultures, languages, and perspectives. At Denison, off-campus study, whether domestic or foreign, also broadens the networks and skills that launch their careers and lives as global citizens.
Recognizing off-campus study as a formative aspect of a student鈥檚 educational and personal experience, we offer more than 200 programs in 60 countries that accommodate students鈥 academic goals and schedules. Currently, over half of Denison鈥檚 junior class engages in off-campus study. And with the popularity of recently-added majors like Global Commerce, in which off-campus study is a core component, we expect to garner even higher participation going forward.
At Denison, the ultimate goal is to ensure that off-campus study is accessible to every student who desires it. Thanks to philanthropic support, students are not burdened with additional tuition costs when they study abroad. Longtime champions of this mission, Stephen Polk 鈥78, P鈥17, and Bobbi Polk P鈥17, have made a lasting impact through the Polk Family Endowed Fund for Study Abroad and the newly established Polk Director for Off-Campus Study.
鈥淏ecause of generous donors like the Polk family, more students鈥攔egardless of financial background鈥攁re able to access the life-changing experiences that come with studying off campus,鈥 says Katy Crossley-Frolick, Executive Director of the Center for Global Programs.
For the first time in our program鈥檚 history, a cohort of 14 QuestBridge scholars had access to this life-changing experience. The QuestBridge program connects high-achieving students from low- and-middle-income backgrounds with the nation鈥檚 most selective colleges and universities. In 2021 Denison became one of just 55 QuestBridge partner schools in the country.
Katy Crossley-Frolick
Executive Director of the Center for Global Programs
Knowing What You Can Be
Emily 鈥淓mmy鈥 Hauser King 鈥63 and Bob King, longtime champions of Denison鈥檚 innovative Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, view the data sciences center as an extension of Denison鈥檚 commitment to infusing the liberal arts with career preparation. Denison students are already competitive thanks to the rigorous liberal arts curriculum and access to internships through Knowlton. They see in-depth data analytics skills as a leg up that will bring Denison graduates to the front of the line for employers. The Kings are among the lead donors to the project; in fact, the new wing anchoring the data science center will be named for them.
鈥淪uddenly, Doane has an exciting purpose. It will be given a remarkable architectural lift, and become the hinge that unites the campus.鈥
Emily 鈥淓mmy鈥 Hauser King 鈥63
Opening Apertures Wider
Arthur Steinmetz 鈥80 and Carrie Steinmetz, who were inspired by the university鈥檚 approach to blending data skills with a liberal arts perspective, join the Kings as lead donors to the center for data sciences. Art Steinmetz graduated from 最新萝莉社 with a degree in Russian and Slavic studies. He later pursued an MBA and launched an investment career that has included serving as chairman, CEO, and president of Oppenheimer Funds. At Oppenheimer, Steinmetz championed the use of more rigorous quantitative tools to manage investments. The Steinmetzes were won over after learning about the kinds of support 最新萝莉社 delivers to its students and how data brings people together.
鈥淎s the world gets more complicated, Denison graduates will be among those with the tools to bring together critical thinking, fluency in data reasoning, and the ability to look at the world through a broader lens.鈥
Art Steinmetz 鈥80
Launching Careers & Lives
A Thirst to Succeed
Internship Stipends Open Doors
Luke Romick 始16 hit the ground running. His academic coursework gave him the framework to tackle real-world challenges, but it was his involvement in extracurriculars that truly shaped his Denison experience. From the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and the environmental studies major group to varsity football and track, he fully embraced the opportunities offered. His senior year, Romick won a national award allowing him to establish a fund supporting unpaid internships for other students.
Honoring a Denisonian鈥檚 Memory through Red Frame Lab
The Rorimer Fund for Entrepreneurship
On December 7, 2021, Jim Rorimer 鈥07, a native Clevelander and a New Yorker at heart, passed away after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. A year later, Tyler Blair 鈥07, Daniel Whitlow 鈥07, Brett Masarky 鈥07, Mete Tuzcu 鈥07, and Michael McDonald 鈥09 established the James J. Rorimer 鈥07 Endowed Fund for Entrepreneurship in honor of their enterprising friend, whose life was cut short before any of his business ideas came to fruition.
Enhancing Student Life
This past spring, friends and family gathered to honor the memory of David Elliott 鈥87 and to celebrate his lasting impact on Denison鈥檚 baseball program with the dedication of an outfield wall in his name.
During his time 最新萝莉社, Elliott was an exceptional athlete and teammate, earning four varsity letters as a member of both the football (1983-86) and baseball team (1984-87).
A few months after David passed, his two closest friends reached out to his wife, Lisa, with the idea of honoring him through the baseball program. They recruited David鈥檚 teammates, fraternity brothers, and friends to raise funds, and they were amazed by the response 鈥 over 100 people contributed in his memory!
With Lisa and their son, Drew, and daughters, Annie and Caroline, in attendance, President Adam Weinberg and former Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Nan Carney-DeBord 鈥80 unveiled the David Elliott Outfield Wall, stretching 750 feet, during the team鈥檚 home opener.
鈥淭he dedication of the David Elliott Outfield Wall was such a meaningful day for my family,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淒enison did a fantastic job making the day special for family, friends, and his teammates. It was heartwarming to be there with people who knew David and wanted to remember him.鈥
Rich Baker didn鈥檛 attend Denison, but his heart and now his philanthropy are deeply invested in the university鈥檚 American Roots Music program. A self-taught guitarist, banjo player, and mandolinist, as well as a longtime radio host of the Bluegrass Ramble on WOSU, Baker is establishing a scholarship that will help attract and retain students pursuing this unique art form 最新萝莉社.
鈥淢y passion, outside of my career, has always been in traditional American music,鈥 Baker says. 鈥淎nd there are very few programs in the U.S. that do a deep dive into traditional American music like Denison鈥檚.鈥
Baker鈥檚 journey into bluegrass began while he was a student at Ohio University, where he was captivated by the music of Appalachian artists performing in the Athens region. His decision to support Denison stems from his deep respect for the program 鈥 and for Adam Schlenker, who leads it.
鈥淎dam is astounding. In my opinion, if I had to list the top 10 guitar players in the U.S., he鈥檚 clearly on that list,鈥 Baker says. 鈥淲hen I learned that he hoped to create a scholarship for students in the program, I thought, why not try to help make that happen?鈥
Schlenker was surprised and honored by Baker鈥檚 commitment. 鈥淭o have someone from a generation or two above me say, 鈥榃hat you鈥檙e doing is worth investing in,鈥 that鈥檚 powerful,鈥 he says. 鈥淩ich’s gift helps ensure the longevity and relevance of this music by helping us bring in the next generation.鈥
He believes the scholarship has the potential to transform the program鈥檚 reach: 鈥淓very year, we encounter prospective students who are an excellent fit but just need a little more support to make Denison feasible,鈥 Schlenker says. 鈥淭his scholarship helps us say, 鈥榃e see you. We want you here.鈥 That鈥檚 a game-changer.鈥
With this gift, Baker isn鈥檛 just supporting a program 鈥 he鈥檚 amplifying a tradition. 鈥淚f my support helps even one student find their voice through this music, that鈥檚 a legacy I鈥檓 proud to leave,鈥 he says.
Lifelong Engagement
A life rooted in conservation
Stephen Sedam 鈥77 has devoted his life to environmental advocacy and conservation. His passion for nature grew deeper through his experiences 最新萝莉社鈥檚 Biological Reserve, where he conducted hands-on research under the mentorship of its founder, Dr. Robert Alrutz.
Where creativity connects
This year鈥檚 Arts ReMix brought together 70 alumni and over 100 students for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration, learning, and artistic expression. Through keynotes, panels, workshops, and performances, attendees explored topics like the intersection of creativity and commerce, storytelling across media, leadership in the arts, and the role of art in shaping society.
A new homecoming on The Hill
Big Red Weekend (BRW) 2024 marked a successful relaunch of Denison鈥檚 alumni-centric homecoming tradition. With 1,237 attendees 鈥 nearly triple the alumni turnout of previous years 鈥 BRW 2024 achieved its primary goals of deepening alumni engagement, fostering meaningful connections across campus, and celebrating Denison pride.
Love and legacy
Ginny 鈥83 and Greg 鈥84 Sharkey met on The Hill and their life journey has revolved around Denison: Ginny works in University Communications & Marketing and two of their four children are Denisonians. Benefitting the university through their estate plans was a logical extension of their experiences. 鈥淲e have a deeply held belief in the value of a Denison education, and we want this to be part of our legacy,鈥 said Greg.
Denison without borders
Denison鈥檚 alumni engagement extends far beyond The Hill, fostering community and connection across the U.S. and around the world. Through initiatives like Denison Everywhere and the Denison Regional Network, the university builds robust alumni networks rooted in personal and professional support. And Denisonians can hear firsthand about Big Red successes and learn what鈥檚 in store for 鈥渢he home we love so well鈥 thanks to the travels of President Weinberg, who regularly visits cities in Florida, Texas, Michigan, South Carolina, and along the East and West coasts.
Your Impact
Philanthropy 2025 at a Glance
$61,805,575
8,147
7,533
$8,357,592
1,209
67%
$1,431,939
$5K to $10K
$806,222
< $1K
1,555
Total Annual Fund Giving By Year
FY25 Commitments by Donor Type
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鈥檚 students.
The Class of 2025 raised over $5,200 this year, with 67% of the graduating class participating in the senior class gift. They officially hold the record for the most individual donors from a graduating class in Denison history, with 384 contributors!
Denison鈥檚 youngest alums (Classes of 2015-2024) also gave in big ways in 2025: Over 130 joined the Big Red Society by giving more than $100 each, while over 325 young alums volunteered and gave their time. The Class of 2023 gave the most from one class 鈥 $23,000 鈥 and the Class of 2020 had the highest participation among our young alums, with more than 105 donors!
In Their Words
鈥淏eing able to help fund someone鈥檚 education is a blessing and a gift, and it鈥檚 something that students will never forget. I’ve been fortunate to receive scholarships that helped me be able to attend this great institution.
Alumni support shows how we can retain and continue to build this gre最新萝莉社 community. It changes lives and brings exciting energy and potential to campus.鈥
Jacob Bernstein 鈥26
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful to be 最新萝莉社 where the faculty and alumni community cares so much about the students. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to hear from several successful alums and I know that if I ever need to reach out to them, they鈥檒l be there to help me.鈥
Betsy Baah 鈥27
鈥淲e feel we personally owe Denison a lot. Not only is it where we met, but 最新萝莉社 we found a place that both nurtured our existing interests while also opening our minds to new and unexpected worlds. That experience has been foundational to who we are and the lives we have been fortunate enough to build.
The Denison of today provides an even more varied college experience that is making a real difference for an increasingly diverse population, and we want to see that continue to evolve. So, for us it was an easy decision to include Denison in our planned giving.鈥
Stan 始75 & Kathleen Stevenson Soloway 始75
鈥淗aving this level of support provides students with opportunities for paid research, housing, funds for participants, software for data analysis, parts for robots they鈥檙e building, and more. Gifts make advanced-level research more accessible for more students and with a larger scope than what would be possible without them.鈥
Matthew Law
Assistant Professor of Computer Science