“The continuing connection to Wittenberg has always given me confidence in all areas of my life. I am glad to be part of passing that on to future generations.”
Ingrid Sponberg Stafford ’75
Retired, formerly Vice President for Financial Operations and Treasurer, Northwestern University
I went to Wittenberg in a spirit of exploration. I was able to dip right into political science. That is a wonderful thing about having smaller classes. You had the opportunity, even as a freshman and sophomore, to be exposed to these great thinkers. I got to know an economics professor named Robert Schultz. He challenged you and encouraged independent thinking. He encouraged me to put political science and economics together and to spend a semester in Washington, D.C., where I was an intern on the Senate Anti-Trust Committee. We stayed in touch until his death.
Outside of the classroom, I put a lot of my energy into student government. I was a class representative, then an officer, and president of the SGA my senior year. Then I had the opportunity to be the student member on the search committee for a new University president. That search led to the selection of Bill Kinnison, who led the University for 20 years. It also cemented my staying involved with Wittenberg. I served on the Board from 1993 to 2006 and served as the first female Board chair.
One of the great privileges of being on a board is you get to meet students from all different generations. I still love interacting with young alumni. The continuing connection to Wittenberg has always given me confidence in all areas of my life. I am glad to be part of passing that on to future generations.
Ingrid Sponberg Stafford ’75 was honored with the Class of 1914 award, Wittenberg’s most prestigious alumni recognition for extraordinary service to the University, in 2013. She lives in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband, Bill Stafford ’73. Her brother-in-law Tom and sister-in-law Ann both graduated in the Class of 1976.
Ingrid Sponberg Stafford is a member of the Campaign Steering Committee.
Wittenberg thrives as we strengthen our alumni efforts to connect, engage, and celebrate our Wittenberg community. Here are five ways you can get involved with the Campaign today:
- Update your information.
- Tell your Witt Story. Express your interest in an email to having-light@wittenberg.edu and we will shape your personal narrative for publication.
- Follow and share. Use the Campaign as an opportunity to reach out to a Wittenberg friend and connect with your fellow Tigers on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Pass your light to the next generation. Refer a future student to Wittenberg or email careers@wittenberg.edu to learn how to hire a fellow Tiger or connect to become a mentor.
- Give online!
With your support, Having Light: The Campaign for Wittenberg University will carry us toward our third century, secure in all we possess and assured of our ability to pass it on to future generations. Thank you for engaging and participating!