Strike poster, WSU | Photograph: Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
2019 was a year of excitement, sadness, shock and surprises. It truly was a journey for Wright State University and Dayton, Ohio, and was filled with many events worthy of revisiting.
Faculty Union Strike Begins: Jan. 22
Members of the WSU faculty union participated in a strike against university administration in January.
Protestors stood around campus and about two-thirds of the faculty union (approximately 373 members) did not work during the strike.
After a financial crisis, the university struggled to reach an agreement to end the strike. The strike began to affect many students inside the classrooms.
End of Strike: Feb. 11
After three weeks of the strike, all parties involved reached a tentative agreement during negotiations.
Teachers finally returned to the classrooms on the morning of Feb. 11, but the effects of the strike were felt. The strike turned into the longest faculty union strike in Ohio’s history.
Wright State wins at Greek life conference: Feb. 20
For the second consecutive year, students from WSU won the case study competition at a Greek Life conference.
The Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) holds a conference every year for over 3,000 participants from around the country. Earlier this year it was held in Indianapolis.
WSU students Ivan Mallett and Anna VandeWiele were both awarded scholarships; the second year in a row for WSU students.
Oscar-winning alumnus visits WSU: March 15
Hannah Beachler, a WSU graduate of the Motion Pictures program, surprised students on campus.
Beachler was the first black person to win an Oscar for Best Production Design in history for her work in “Black Panther.”
During her visit to WSU, Beachler shared stories of working with Beyonce and preached the importance of staying true to their beliefs and being a part of their communities.
WSU Surround Sound wins first collegiate show choir competition: March 16
As a newly-formed group, Surround Sound surprised many as they swept the competition and won the first-ever collegiate show choir competition.
With a theme of superheroes, members brought home the following awards: Grand Champions, Best Choreography and Best Vocals.
Tornado destruction throughout the Miami Valley: May 27
On the weekend of Memorial Day, 15 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in and near the Miami Valley.
The largest one hit parts of Dayton and was labeled an F4 with winds up to 170 mph. A record was set for the most touchdowns in history and the aftermath was devastating.
WSU was a part of a relief fund established to help victims of the tornadoes, bringing water and supplies to hundreds of families in need.
Deadly Oregon District shooting: Aug. 4
In a devastating event, 27 people were injured and nine were shot and killed in a shooting in downtown Dayton’s Oregon District.
The shooting lasted only 32 seconds thanks to quick first responders. One of Wright State’s own, Megan Betts, was one of the victims of the shooting.
Betts will be remembered by many in the Wright State community and was honored with a posthumous degree with a resolution from the Board of Trustees passed on Dec. 5.
First-ever Festival of Flight: Oct. 5
In order to honor the rich aviation history of the area, Wright State and the City of Fairborn put on the first-ever Festival of Flight for the community.
The festival included live music, vendors, educational booths, a haunted trail, blow ups and was an event for all ages.
Cheryl Schrader steps down: Oct. 15
Just months before the end of the fall semester, President Schrader released a campus-wide email announcing her resignation as president.
Schrader shared her wishes of returning to the classroom and her appreciation of the position she held.
Just over two weeks later on Oct. 28, the university named Provost Susan Edwards the next president, taking effect January 1, 2020.
Wright State Teamsters vote to authorize strike: Dec. 11
On Dec. 11, a union of WSU maintenance workers voted to authorize a strike.
Members of the union rejected a fact-finder's report regarding their contract and the vote to strike was approved 84-6.
The teamsters and administration are required to return to negotiation once more, but the teamsters local 957 are prepared for a strike.
