Daniel White, BA ’80, established a planned gift as a part of the Ohio Northern University Forward Together campaign to support ONU’s English department, a starting block for his successful career.
As a result of his planned gift, White will establish an endowed English faculty position and a scholarship for an ONU English student who will later pursue a law degree.
White, a corporate attorney in Hudson, Ohio, earned his degree in English and literature from ONU with high distinction honors. After earning his degree at ONU, he received his juris doctorate at Case Western Reserve University.
For his academic success at Ohio Northern, he became a member of the freshman honor society Phi Eta Sigma, the national English honors society Sigma Tau Delta, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
He said the quality of the English department and his connections with faculty while a student played a large part in his decision to support Ohio Northern.
English professor Elizabeth Miller, BS ’64, and English department head Clyde Dornbusch, both played roles in White’s education and gained his respect during that time.
White also has fond memories of student life, including coming in second in a straight pool tournament, for which he still has the trophy from 1978, and a trophy for leading the bowling league in average in 1976-77.
The Blizzard of ’78, however, remains one of his most significant memories. He recalled staying on campus when rations reportedly began to become scarce, and he remembers “the coldest walk of my life” to see a free movie at the Ada movie theater.
For his planned gift, which White hopes will continue to grow until the donation goes to the University, White will become a Heritage Club member.