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January 9, 2026
In the World

¹û¶³´«Ã½ and Springfield: A partnership that moves us onward

Op-Ed written by Mike McDorman, president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Partnership.

Springfield and ¹û¶³´«Ã½ University have long shared a strong, meaningful partnership — one that has shaped our community for generations and continues to strengthen our future. As we look ahead, it is clear that ¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s success and Springfield’s momentum are deeply connected, and together we are poised for an even brighter path forward.

¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s contributions extend far beyond its campus. Through the Hagen Center for Civic & Urban Engagement, students provide thousands of volunteer hours each year, supporting local nonprofits, youth programs, schools, parks, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. Their service has become a defining part of Springfield’s progress. Equally valuable is the ongoing engagement of ¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s faculty and staff, who lend their expertise to boards, civic projects, and strategic planning across the community.

This collaboration is personal to the Greater Springfield Partnership as well—we are proud that one of our own staff members serves on ¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s Board of Directors. Their leadership reflects the deep trust and shared commitment between the university and our broader community.

Today, there is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding ¹û¶³´«Ã½. Our new president, Dr. Christian Brady, has brought fresh energy, accessibility, and vision to the campus, inspiring confidence among students, alumni, business leaders, and residents alike. This enthusiasm is spreading throughout Springfield, reinforcing the important role ¹û¶³´«Ã½ plays in our community’s economic vitality and cultural vibrancy.

One of the strongest indicators of ¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s impact is the number of alumni who choose to stay in Springfield—launching careers, building businesses, raising families, and contributing to civic life. They choose this community not just because they studied here, but because they believe in what Springfield is becoming. Their presence enriches our workforce and strengthens the future of our city.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ University remains one of Springfield’s greatest assets. As the Greater Springfield Partnership works to attract new employers, develop our talent pipeline, and enhance quality of life, having a nationally respected liberal arts institution at our center is a competitive advantage that few communities enjoy.

Mike McDorman Springfield believes in ¹û¶³´«Ã½. We value this partnership, and we stand ready to support its continued success. Together, we will build a future defined by opportunity, collaboration, and shared pride.

Tiger Up! Onward!

Mike McDorman, president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Partnership

About ¹û¶³´«Ã½

¹û¶³´«Ã½'s curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The university has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

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