Tiffin University to Join The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges

L to R: Francie Henry, Regional President-Central Ohio, Fifth Third Bank and OFIC Board Chair; Bill Spiker, President, OFIC; Lillian Schumacher, President, Tiffin University

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) announced today that Tiffin University, located in Tiffin, Ohio, will be added as the 33rd collegiate member of their organization. Tiffin joins 32 other independent, non-tax-funded, liberal arts colleges and universities from Ohio. The University is led by Dr. Lillian Schumacher, inaugurated in November of 2016, as the University’s first female president.

Making the decision to apply for membership in OFIC for Dr. Schumacher was an easy one. “Since accepting the position of Tiffin University President,” explained Schumacher, “I have been asking myself: Why does our University exist; why do we do what we do? The answer is rather simple: Because of our students. We are here to serve our students. OFIC’s mission is the same - their fundraising efforts help Ohio’s students reach their goals of a college education.”

“OFIC helps students in need by partnering with corporate and foundation donors that believe strongly in higher education and want to create scholarship programs which help the flow of students from our member campuses to careers with corporate Ohio,” said Bill Spiker, OFIC President. “We welcome Tiffin University and look forward to a strong relationship that will have a direct impact on students and the economic future of Ohio.”

Schumacher went on to explain why scholarships from OFIC donors are important. “Our students, like so many of those attending the other 32 member institutions, rely on scholarships to achieve their academic goals. More than 90 percent of Tiffin University's students receive some form of financial aid. With financial support, students' lives are positively impacted, and our communities are stronger by having a growing college-educated workforce.”

Tiffin University will join 32 other Ohio independent colleges and universities as a member of OFIC including: Ashland University, Baldwin Wallace University, Bluffton University, Capital University, Cedarville University, Defiance College, Denison University, The University of Findlay, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Franklin University, Heidelberg University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Lake Erie College, Lourdes University, Malone University, Marietta College, University of Mount Union, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum University, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein University, Ursuline College, Walsh University, Wilmington College, Wittenberg University, and The College of Wooster.

Claire Johansen, Chair of Tiffin University’s Board of Trustees also supported their inclusion in OFIC. “Tiffin University's noble purpose is to transform lives through education,” said Johansen. “The Board firmly believes that membership into OFIC aligns directly with the University’s Guiding Principles. A majority of our students come from homes with modest incomes and are the first in their family to attend a four-year college. Our University practices financial constraint, however college is expensive. Scholarships serve as a “life-preserver" for students. Providing a sound foundation for our students’ success is why the Board strongly supports membership in OFIC.”

“We are excited to include Tiffin University in OFIC’s membership," said OFIC Board Chair, Francie Henry, Regional President-Central Ohioat Fifth Third Bank. “Many of our donors make connections with their student scholars through luncheons or visits to their company headquarters. They also find that offering internships and job opportunities, post-graduation, is a way for them to address their own corporate talent pipeline issues. Tiffin University's membership has the potential to bring new corporate partners that are working hard to build Ohio's economy. Students staying in Ohio and working here are key components of our collective success."

Tiffin University’s membership in OFIC is effective July 1, 2018.

Tiffin University
Founded in 1888, TU has become a premier university for challenging students to enhance their global competencies for success in a diverse world. The University enrolls students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Tiffin, Ohio, at several locations in Ohio, online, and in several foreign countries. The campus at Tiffin is a blend of traditional historic and modern buildings, creating a vibrant and warm home for a culturally diverse educational community. Throughout its history, TU has maintained its dedication to providing a professionally focused, learning-centered education to prepare students for successful careers and for productive and satisfying lives of excellence, leadership, and service. Tiffin University’s faculty offers a unique combination of practical application with scholarly knowledge. The TU approach to learning and skill set development insists on connecting students to the workplace as soon, and as often, as possible during their college experience through internships.

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC), a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, is the national leader in providing student scholarships and unrestricted gifts to Ohio’s independent colleges and universities.

OFIC member colleges and universities award nearly one-third of all bachelor’s degrees in the state. Since 1950 OFIC has worked to highlight the leadership, value and excellence of independent higher education and has provided scholarship commitments and unrestricted operating gifts through funds raised in annual solicitations of businesses and foundations, thereby assuring continuation of excellence in private higher education. OFIC is governed by a board of trustees comprised of Ohio’s corporate leaders, as well as presidents of the 33 member colleges and universities. 

For more information about OFIC, visit www.ofic.org or contact Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Karey West at west@ofic.org or 614-469-1890.

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