Watterson Scholars Program Launched at UF
The University of Findlay is launching the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership this fall and has appointed Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., as director.
The Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership is named for Billy Watterson and his wife, Brenda, who made a $6 million gift to launch the center. He is a 1996 UF graduate and Board of Trustees member.
Trustees, faculty, and administrators gathered October 16 with Findlay-Hancock County corporate and community leaders for an unveiling of the first of the center’s offerings, the Watterson Scholars program.
Welcoming students from all majors, the Watterson Scholars is a four-year academic program with components such as vocational exploration, ethical leadership development, and civic advocacy. Each of the four years is themed to the center’s virtues of courage, humility, integrity, and compassion. The program will launch in fall 2026.
“This is a program for students who have a heart for community engagement,” Fedirka said. “It is designed to transform their lives, preparing them to be ethical leaders in their communities after graduation.”
The program curriculum includes service projects, undergraduate research, and travel to the Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the Ohio state capitol, and New York City. A Hancock Collegiate Leadership Academy, offered in conjunction with the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, is being developed for Watterson Scholars.
Sarah Foltz ’14, community engagement director of The Alliance, coordinates the Hancock Leadership Academies and is charged with the new initiative.
“We are excited to provide University of Findlay students with additional learning beyond campus to see how our community works, to explore a variety of vocations, and connect with people who are passionate about helping them grow,” she said.
Through these transformative learning experiences, UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., anticipates that the initial class of students will be fully immersed in the Watterson Center’s mission: “to inspire ethical leaders who will impact their world.”
“It has been a fitting and bold step for the University to establish the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership to provide our students and the broader community a place to develop ethical awareness, leadership skills, vocational discernment, and a sense of service to others,” she said.
Since its founding by the Churches of God General Conference and the City of Findlay in 1882, the University has been committed to engagement with the Hancock County community.
“Our campus community cares about the issues, conditions, and problems that affect Findlay-Hancock county,” said Christine Denecker, Ph.D., interim vice president of academic affairs. “Through the Watterson Scholars program, we will lend our minds and hands in addressing those problems.”
Dr. William Kose, M.D., J.D., a member of the UF Board of Trustees, described the Watterson Scholars as “a fresh approach to community building” and “a game changer.”
“Community building occurs when we put others before ourselves,” he said, encouraging corporate and community leaders to support the program “and bring this vision of ethical leadership and community collaboration to life.”
Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn ’14 agreed, emphasizing the importance of preparing students to be ethical leaders because “people are watching how we influence change, culture, businesses, and other people.”
“I know we will be able to change our community, our classrooms, and the world for the better. Each of us has the ability to be the change we want to see in the world,” the mayor explained. “The type of change we are able to make is priceless.”
Curriculum development for Watterson Scholars is currently taking place. The scholars program is partially supported by a $75,000 NetVUE Vocation Across the Academy grant through the Council of Independent Colleges.
For more information on the Watterson Scholars program, visit findlay.edu/watterson-scholars. Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring a cohort of Watterson Scholars may visit give.findlay.edu.
Pictured above, from left are: Dr. Christine Denecker and Dr. Sarah Fedirka.
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