Class of 1974
The Class of 1974 Golden Reunion was wonderful! Thank you to all our classmates who came back to Otterbein to reconnect and reminisce – we hope you had a fantastic time.
Click on the buttons below to see the 50th Reunion photo gallery and to access and download the digital copy of our 50th Reunion Memory Book and Class Photo.
A Message from your Reunion Committee
As your hosts for the Class of ’74 Golden Reunion, the Planning Committee and Alumni & Family Engagement staff have made every effort to provide a special weekend to gather with friends, reminisce and create new memories. It’s also a time to remember our past, and look forward to the future of students who will have their 50th reunion in 2074!
You will see many changes, including new buildings and some that are no longer here. Some changes to look for and consider:
- The student population was just over 1,400 when our class of 326 graduated – and there are now about 3,000 students!
- Towers Hall remains a focal point of the campus, and you will note that it welcomes people to “Otterbein University” chiseled in the stone when it was built in 1871!
- Many of our reunion programs will be held at The Point, on Collegeview Road, just west of Alum Creek. The point was formerly office and manufacturing space that Otterbein acquired 10 years ago. This facility houses learning labs, meeting rooms, special events and seminars. A great addition to the campus!
- Student housing now includes “suite” style residence halls (behind the campus center).
- Westerville had 12,530 residents in 1970, and now has more than 38,000 with many new restaurants and businesses (and is no longer “dry”!). But – Schneider’s continues to be the late night stop for Otterbein students!
Below you will find a detailed schedule of reunion events as well as registration information. We have so much to celebrate! If you have any questions or concerns, or need any special accommodations, please email goldenreunion@otterbein.edu or call 614-823-1650.
Who’s registered so far?
Patricia Haddox Adams • James Albright • Gini Olesen Bell • Debbie Hall Bennati • Sibyl McCualsky Carr • Thomas K. Cheney • Gary Curts • Kathleen Hoshor Dickerson • Craig English (guest) • Laura Lamberton English • Daniel Evans • Cynthia Bair Falls • Dick Fetter • Sam Freed (guest) • Paul Garfinkel • Kay Bechtel Garfinkel ’74 • Jack George • Sherie Goldman Groves • Joy Lemke Jewett • Ronald K. Jewett • Lonica Holmes Hartzler • Barbara Hoffman • Jay Hone • Dee Hoty • Kathryn (Kathie) Reese Inniger • Ruth Glenfield Kinsey • Deborah Lindsay (guest) • Jack M. Lintz • Julie Mathias Lintz ’76 (guest) • Samuel Militello • Janet Wolford Miller • Rebecca Holford Miller ’73 • Tommy Miller • John R. Mulkie • Pamela S. Pauley • Gary Roberts • Virgenea Kenney Roberts ’73 • Anne Ross (guest) • Susan Seiple Sabo • Douglas K. Sampson • Sandra Loos Sampson ’76 (guest) • Marsha Rice Scanlin • Greg Shaw • Kelley Heddleston Smith • Margaret Stickney • David Stump • Suzanne Stump (guest) • Judy Tardell Thomas • Mark E. Thomas • Michael Toorock (guest) • Pam Wright Toorock • Gar Vance • Linda Bechtel Vance ’76 • Greg Vawter • David Ward • Mike Wasylik • Barbara Haigler White • Janice McCullough White • Joseph Yeakel • Cecile Armentrout Yeakel ’76 (guest) • Tim Young
What do I need to know for my reunion?
Class of 1974 Reunion Schedule
Class of 1974 Reunion Schedule
The events marked with a 
are the most important for your class!
Friday, September 20, 2024
- 9:30 a.m. | Golden Reunion Coffee and Welcome (The Point)
- 10 a.m-2 p.m. | Record your Otterbein Memories (The Point)
- Stephen Grinch ’98, University Archivist, will be on site to record your Otterbein memories for the video archives.
- 10:15 a.m. | Tour of the Point and Otterbein Makerspace (The Point)
- 11:30 a.m. | Class of 1974 Photo (The Point)
- All members of the class will receive a digital copy of the Class Photo
- 11:45 a.m. | Golden Reunion Celebration Luncheon (The Point)
- 2-4 p.m. | Golden Reunion Optional Activities
- Tour of the Point and Otterbein Makerspace (The Point)
- Campus Van Tours (Guided van tour, departing from The Point at 2 and 3 p.m.)
- Record your Otterbein memories for the video archives. Hosted by Stephen Grinch ’98, University Archivist (The Point)
- 4-6:30 p.m. | Cardy Hour With Faculty & Staff (Towers Lawn)
- A special Class of 1974 seating area will be designated at this event!
- Families, Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff are invited to this casual gathering featuring appetizers, beer and seltzer (for purchase), and non-alcoholic beverages.
- 6:30-9 p.m. | Homecoming Kickoff Concert and OtterFest (Towers Lawn)
- A special Class of 1974 seating area will be designated at this event!
- All alumni, families, and friends are invited to join us to kick off the festivities.
- Live music from our alumni cover band starts at 7.
- Food trucks from Fat Kid Burgers and Dos Hermanos
- Biergarten featuring Seventh Son Brewing Co. beer and Kitty Paw hard seltzer
- Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Night at OtterFest
- 7-8 p.m. | Celebration of Otterbein Awards (The Point at Otterbein)
- Annual Alumni Awards Presentation and Celebration
- Private reception to follow
- Visit the Alumni Awards page to see this year’s award recipients!
- Awardees include two Class of 1974 members:
- Dee Hoty ’74
- Marsha Rice Scanlin ’74
Saturday, September 21, 2024
- 9-10 a.m. | State of the University & Conversation with President Comerford (Riley Auditorium)
- All alumni, students, families, faculty, and staff are welcome
- 10-11 a.m. | Emeriti Faculty & Staff Open House (Fisher Gallery Second Floor, Roush Hall)
- Stop by and visit with your favorite emeriti faculty and staff
- 10 a.m.-11 a.m | Tour of the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science (Optional, 600 N Spring Rd, Westerville, OH 43082) Meet in the lobby.
- 11 a.m. | Homecoming Parade (Campus)
- View this annual tradition from the Towers Lawn without even leaving Cardy Zone and OtterFest!
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | OtterFest (Towers Lawn)
- A special Class of 1974 seating area will be designated at this event!
- Performances by Johnny Steiner ’96, Allison Asarch ’18, Ottertuned, and more!
- Special presentation by Ohio Wildlife Center
- Biergarten featuring Seventh Son Brewing Co. beer and Kitty Paw hard seltzer
- Food, games, and entertainment
- Cookout lunch for purchase
- Frozen treats from Sally’s Ice Box
- Pap’s Kettle Corn
- 12-1 p.m. | Tour of the Frank Museum of Art (39 S. Vine St)
- Space limited. Free ticket required through the separate Homecoming & Family Weekend registration process here.
- 1 p.m.-2 p.m | Tour of the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science (Optional, 600 N Spring Rd, Westerville, OH 43082) Meet in the lobby.
- 2 p.m. | Football vs. Marietta College (Memorial Stadium)
- 7 p.m. | Alumni Choir Concert (Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State St., Westerville)
Class of 1974 Reunion Committee
Your Class Reunion committee is hard at work planning your reunion this fall. Here are the current members:
Debbie Hall Bennati
Dick Fetter
Barbara Hoffman
Jay Hone
Dee Hoty
Marsha Rice Scanlin
Greg Shaw
Judy Tardell Thomas
Pam Wright Toorock
Gar Vance
Mike Wasylik
Have a question for the committee? Send an email to goldenreunion@otterbein.edu and we’ll get it to the right committee member!
Legacy Gift
Like most classes celebrating their Golden Reunion at Otterbein, your class is raising funds to mark the occasion. All gifts received through December 31, 2024 – regardless of their designation or purpose – count towards your total Class Gift.
Your class is also creating a special fund to commemorate your 50th reunion, details of which will be shared in early 2024. In the meantime, there several ways to contribute to the Class of 1974 Gift:
- Return the enclosed reply card in any fundraising mailing
- Visit www.otterbein.edu/give.
- Individuals who have reached age 72 can make a gift from their IRAs and in doing so may reduce their taxable income. Contact your IRA administrator for more information or to request a transfer. Contact Kathleen Bonte (614-823-1400; kbonte@otterbein.edu), to alert her to any forthcoming stock transfers or IRA distributions.
- Let the University know of any intentions to remember Otterbein in your estate plan.
If you have any questions about donating or would like to donate over the phone, please contact the Advancement Office at (614) 823-1400.
Book your stay!
Traveling to Westerville for the Homecoming & Family Weekend or your Reunion?
Hotel with Special Otterbein Rates:
Aloft Westerville Hotel (1.7 miles)
32 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, OH 43081
We will be working with Aloft in early 2025 to offer a special block rate for your reunion. Stay tuned for more information!
Additional Area Hotels:
Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris (1.5 miles)
409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082
To book: Click here or call 833-427-0292
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Columbus/Polaris (2.6 miles)
8411 Pulsar Place, Columbus, OH 43240
To book: Click here or call 614-885-8400
Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus (2.7 miles)
2700 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, OH 43231
To book: Click here or call 614-890-8600
Holiday Inn Express Columbus-Worthington (5 miles)
55 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43235
To book: Click here or call 614-977-0520
Courtyard Columbus Worthington (5.1 miles)
7411 Vantage Drive, Columbus, OH 43235
To book: Click here or call 888-236-2427
