One of Tiffin University’s standout qualities is that our small size and a strong sense of community makes it especially easy for people to develop close connections with each other, whether it be professional, personal or even romantic. For Ted ’67 and Francine ’66 Kuenzli, the latter is exactly the case. Having first-met on campus, the pair still reminisces about their college years with fondness. “Of course I Love TU – I met my husband there!” Francine said.
Ted is from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in accounting. Like many alumni, he is astounded by how much the institution has changed since his time as a student. He is proud to have seen both his and other degree programs take shape.
“When I was there, class sizes were small—all in one building, and I got to know everyone,” says Ted. “Looking back, I feel like I got in on the ground floor of something that has become really special. It has been a pleasure to watch it all grow over 50-some years.”
For Francine, originally from Monroeville, Ohio, the decision to attend TU was an easy one. Her mother was an alumna, and she had extended family living in the area at the time, meaning she could stay with them and commute each day. She, too, is grateful for the education she received and the experiences she had. She shares her husband’s pride over what TU has become.
“I was enrolled in the two-year executive secretarial program and have always felt that attending Tiffin University gave me the confidence I needed to succeed at the jobs I held during my working years,” Francine shares.
To this day, the couple remains an active part of the Dragon Family and has done much to ensure today’s students have access to the same quality of education they received. Because of their annual leadership giving, they are long-time members of the Tiffin Society. They have also made a planned gift that will one day fund two endowed scholarships, ensuring their gifts will impact students in perpetuity.
“We have been very happy to see what Tiffin University has developed into since we were there in the ’60s. The leadership teams guiding the school have made it a place to be proud of, and this has given us a reason to support further growth through donations, gifts and scholarships. This university is no longer known only as a business school, and has become a major academic entity in this part of the state. Our gifts of two scholarships were made to say thank you and to help new students attend college” they said.
Spring, 2022