A message from Suzy Kriscunas ’72
Friends,
Thanks to your support, Denison is thriving — more engaged, more innovative, and more attuned to the needs of tomorrow’s 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’s 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’ll 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 ’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 — 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 ’62 and his wife, Weezie, will help ensure that a life-shaping Denison education remains accessible for all admitted students. The Reese family’s transformative gift will enhance their endowed scholarship fund, which is dedicated to reducing student loan debt and ensuring that Denison can meet 100% of the demonstrated need for talented students from all backgrounds.
“David and Weezie understand the importance of helping students afford a college degree,” said Denison President Adam Weinberg. “Better 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’s graduates a unique advantage in their post-graduate lives. We are grateful for David and Weezie’s generosity.”
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’s 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’ impact on Denison’s students.
What We Share: A Conversation Between Suzy Kriscunas & Isabella Ammerman
For Suzy Kriscunas ’72, philanthropy is not just about giving; it’s 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 ’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 at Denison. 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 at Denison. Study abroad was incredible as well. I went to Madrid because I’m 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 at Denison?
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 that Denison 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’t 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’s educational and personal experience, we offer more than 200 programs in 60 countries that accommodate students’ academic goals and schedules. Currently, over half of Denison’s 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 ’78, P’17, and Bobbi Polk P’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.
Yet for students from low-income backgrounds, especially QuestBridge scholars, hidden costs—like airfare, immunizations, passports, and international phone plans—can still present significant hurdles. Ironically, those who may benefit the most from global experiences are often the ones who can least afford them.
“Because of generous donors like the Polk family, more students—regardless of financial background—are able to access the life-changing experiences that come with studying off campus,” says Katy Crossley-Frolick, Executive Director of the Center for Global Programs.
For the first time in our program’s history, a cohort of 14 QuestBridge scholars had access to this life-changing experience. The QuestBridge program connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with the nation’s 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
“My experience has been humbling and rewarding as everything is experiential learning and hands-on; we get to experience day-to-day life for a Ghanaian outside of just city life but across the country in different regions.”
Ashlee Salmon ʼ26, Ghana
“In a short amount of time, Seville has taught me to slow down, step out of my comfort zone, and to enjoy the art, history, and the sunlight that this city offers!”
Meli Gomez ʼ26, Spain
“Even though Iceland’s environment is cold, the culture is warm and welcoming, as I have been able to experience a music festival, an island in the Arctic Circle with 14 residents, life with a homestay family, and amazing food.”
Sam Morawski ʼ25, Iceland
Academic Innovation
Championing a Data-Centric Vision for the Future of the Liberal Arts
Thanks to the generosity of donors who have already committed more than $29 million, in January Denison broke ground on a new center for the data sciences at Doane Hall. The sweeping renovation and expansion of Doane Hall, one of the most prominent and historic buildings on campus, positions Denison to be the first liberal arts college with a state-of-the-art campus hub devoted to integrating data across the curriculum.
“Denison was already leading the charge when it came to the study of data analytics within the context of a rigorous liberal arts education. With the completion of the Doane project, we’ll be positioned to infuse the data sciences even further throughout the curriculum, ensuring that every Denison student leaves The Hill confident in their understanding of data, qualified to work in a data-driven world, and excited by the unique possibilities that data afford them in their chosen disciplines.”
Adam Weinberg
President
Meet the people making this transformation possible through their belief in Denison’s mission
Denison University is proud to recognize and thank the donors who are making this future possible. Together, we are building more than a center — we are building a legacy of impact.
In addition to leadership gifts from Sherman Fairchild Foundation, Emily “Emmy” Hauser King ’63 and Bob King and Arthur Steinmetz ’80 and Carrie Steinmetz, this cutting-edge facility for data science would not be possible without transformative gifts by Lisa Wolff Brickman ’83 and Daniel Brickman ’80, Lisa Katz Mathias ’85 and Robert Mathias ’86, Ashley Edwards Bradley ’93 and Thomas Bradley ’91, the Trumbull family, and Corrine Brenner Dimitruk ’01 and Michael Dimitruk ’00.
Knowing What You Can Be
Emily “Emmy” Hauser King ’63 and Bob King, longtime champions of Denison’s innovative Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, view the data sciences center as an extension of Denison’s 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.
“Suddenly, Doane has an exciting purpose. It will be given a remarkable architectural lift, and become the hinge that unites the campus.”
Emily “Emmy” Hauser King ’63
Opening Apertures Wider
Arthur Steinmetz ’80 and Carrie Steinmetz, who were inspired by the university’s 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 Denison 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 Denison delivers to its students and how data brings people together.
“As 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.”
Art Steinmetz ’80
Launching Careers & Lives
A Thirst to Succeed
Internship Stipends Open Doors
Luke Romick ʼ16 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’s Memory through Red Frame Lab
The Rorimer Fund for Entrepreneurship
On December 7, 2021, Jim Rorimer ’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 ’07, Daniel Whitlow ’07, Brett Masarky ’07, Mete Tuzcu ’07, and Michael McDonald ’09 established the James J. Rorimer ’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 ’87 and to celebrate his lasting impact on Denison’s baseball program with the dedication of an outfield wall in his name.
During his time at Denison, 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’s teammates, fraternity brothers, and friends to raise funds, and they were amazed by the response — 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 ’80 unveiled the David Elliott Outfield Wall, stretching 750 feet, during the team’s home opener.
“The dedication of the David Elliott Outfield Wall was such a meaningful day for my family,” said Lisa. “Denison 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.”
On behalf of the entire Big Red community, we would like to extend our congratulations to Nan Carney-DeBord ’80 on her retirement as Associate Vice President and Director after a 14-year tenure, during which Big Red athletics witnessed one of its greatest eras.
Since she took over in 2011, the Denison athletics program has achieved unprecedented success, winning eight of the twenty school NCAC titles in school history, including five national titles by the men’s and women’s swim and dive teams.
Known equally for wearing her flashy red suit at university events and for her fierce commitment to excellence, Carney-DeBord changed the culture of Denison athletics off the field as well. Through the development of the Mitchell Mission and the Knetzer Family Institute, Carney-DeBord brought overall well-being and leadership to the forefront for both coaches and athletes.
She also oversaw the expansion and renovation of the Mitchell Center, the building of a new athletic complex, Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium, for the lacrosse and soccer teams, and significant upgrades to the softball and baseball fields.
Congratulations, Nan, on your retirement and a stellar career. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter. You’ll always be Big Red for Life!
“To all of you who have invested in this program, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude. Your support has not only shaped our facilities, programs, and opportunities but has also changed our students’ lives. You have empowered young athletes to pursue their dreams and allowed us to create programs and initiatives to allow our student athletes to reach their performance potential.”
Nan Carney-DeBord ’80
Rich Baker didn’t attend Denison, but his heart and now his philanthropy are deeply invested in the university’s 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 at Denison.
“My passion, outside of my career, has always been in traditional American music,” Baker says. “And there are very few programs in the U.S. that do a deep dive into traditional American music like Denison’s.”
Baker’s 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 — and for Adam Schlenker, who leads it.
“Adam is astounding. In my opinion, if I had to list the top 10 guitar players in the U.S., he’s clearly on that list,” Baker says. “When I learned that he hoped to create a scholarship for students in the program, I thought, why not try to help make that happen?”
Schlenker was surprised and honored by Baker’s commitment. “To have someone from a generation or two above me say, ‘What you’re doing is worth investing in,’ that’s powerful,” he says. “Rich’s gift helps ensure the longevity and relevance of this music by helping us bring in the next generation.”
He believes the scholarship has the potential to transform the program’s reach: “Every year, we encounter prospective students who are an excellent fit but just need a little more support to make Denison feasible,” Schlenker says. “This scholarship helps us say, ‘We see you. We want you here.’ That’s a game-changer.”
With this gift, Baker isn’t just supporting a program — he’s amplifying a tradition. “If my support helps even one student find their voice through this music, that’s a legacy I’m proud to leave,” he says.
Lifelong Engagement
A life rooted in conservation
Stephen Sedam ’77 has devoted his life to environmental advocacy and conservation. His passion for nature grew deeper through his experiences at Denison’s Biological Reserve, where he conducted hands-on research under the mentorship of its founder, Dr. Robert Alrutz.
Where creativity connects
This year’s 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’s alumni-centric homecoming tradition. With 1,237 attendees — nearly triple the alumni turnout of previous years — BRW 2024 achieved its primary goals of deepening alumni engagement, fostering meaningful connections across campus, and celebrating Denison pride.
Love and legacy
Ginny ’83 and Greg ’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. “We have a deeply held belief in the value of a Denison education, and we want this to be part of our legacy,” said Greg.
Denison without borders
Denison’s 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’s in store for “the home we love so well” 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 (375 gifts)
$806,222
< $1K (11,332 gifts)
1,555
Total Annual Fund Giving By Year
Total 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’s 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’s 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 — $23,000 — and the Class of 2020 had the highest participation among our young alums, with more than 105 donors!
Over 1,100 current parents and 700 former parents gave to the Annual Fund this year, contributing over $1M to support Denison. 29% of parent donors gave at a leadership level of $1,000+ and 42% gave to an athletics-related fund. The number of parent donors (468) that supported Day of Giving in 2025 increased by 120% since 2024, accounting for 29% of all Day of Giving donors.
More than 1,600 donors contributed over $686,000 and made a lasting impact on the student experience during Day of Giving 2025, breaking all records from previous years! Thanks to more than 745 alums, 465+ current parents and grandparents, 165+ faculty and staff, and 200+ friends and former families for making this such a successful year.
Thank you for stepping up for students!
The most popular areas of support during this year’s Day of Giving were $201,000 to athletics and $404,000+ for the Annual Fund — which included $35,000+ for financial aid and scholarships, nearly $10,000 for academic excellence, $6,900 for fine arts, and $6,200 for health and wellness. $122,000 of this year’s total can be directly attributed to the outreach of 158 ambassadors who shared information about the day. The matches and challenges provided by generous donors raised $180,000+ of the total.
Philanthropic giving is vital to sustaining a thriving liberal arts community. According to Denison Life Trustee Dana Hart ’76, alumni investment leads to meaningful relationships, mentorship, and opportunities for students and graduates alike. Her journey from alumna to Trustee was transformative, driven by a belief in Denison’s mission and potential.
“Giving, especially unrestricted support like gifts to the Annual Fund, allows the university to respond to pressing needs. Philanthropy isn’t just financial; it’s foundational. It builds a competitive, forward-thinking institution without sacrificing core values. A strong, invested alumni body isn’t optional; it’s essential to the success of our students and our college.”
Dana Hart ’76
Denison Life Trustee
In Their Words
“Being able to help fund someone’s education is a blessing and a gift, and it’s 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 great Denison community. It changes lives and brings exciting energy and potential to campus.”
Jacob Bernstein ’26
“I’m so thankful to be at Denison where the faculty and alumni community cares so much about the students. I’ve had the opportunity to hear from several successful alums and I know that if I ever need to reach out to them, they’ll be there to help me.”
Betsy Baah ’27
“We feel we personally owe Denison a lot. Not only is it where we met, but at Denison 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.”
Stan ʼ75 & Kathleen Stevenson Soloway ʼ75
“Having this level of support provides students with opportunities for paid research, housing, funds for participants, software for data analysis, parts for robots they’re 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.”
Matthew Law
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
