The Todts’ legacy with Shawnee State University began when Dr. Dave Todt started teaching at the university as an adjunct professor in 1975, when the campus facilities were still used as a branch of Ohio University and later as Shawnee State Community College. In 1986, at the opening of Shawnee State University, Dr. Todt became the Chair of the Department of Math & Science. This began a long career of serving in a number of leadership roles at the university, including Interim Dean of College of Arts & Sciences and Director of Teacher Education. In 2007, Dr. Todt was named the Provost at the university, serving in this role for seven years before taking a year sabbatical and then returning to teaching within the university again.

Throughout his career serving the university and its students, Dr. Todt and his wife established a loyalty of giving back to the university, supporting various funds within the SSU Development Foundation for over 25 consecutive years.

“My family always instilled in me a set of values, including service and giving,” said Dr. Todt. “Giving to Shawnee State is giving to students, to opportunities for them and their faculty to continue learning in the best possible environments.”

In 2019, Dr. Todt celebrated his 40th and final year teaching at the university in the Department of Natural Sciences. Upon his official retirement from the institution, Dr. Todt reflected on how much the university has developed from the one-building campus where he first started teaching.

“It’s amazing to see Shawnee State’s growth from the time it opened to now,” he said. “It grew to include all of these beautiful facilities today, and it’s in part thanks to the many supporters the university has. There’s still a lot of growth happening on campus, and I believe the SSU Development Foundation is important as that growth continues.”

“As a donor, I am happy to provide the funds needed to enhance the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center that will ultimately aid student learning,” said Dr. Linda Hunt, SSU Professor of Mathematical Sciences and the Director of Developmental Math and the DDMSC. “As the Director of the Center, I am pleased at how the upgrades will support students and their learning.” 

The DDMSC is a free math tutoring center located on campus that provides students the opportunity to receive assistance with homework, ongoing lessons, and understanding the value of mathematics in their everyday lives. It is named after Dayton Allen Hunt, his wife of 55 years, Arlene May duMeleau Hunt, and her brother Donald Joseph duMeleau. Dedicated supporters of education, the Hunt-duMeleau family promoted careers tied to mathematical sciences.

“It is a great pleasure to assist in those necessary upgrades needed within the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center through the Development Foundation,” said SSU Chief Advancement Officer, Chris Moore. “Our specialized mathematical programs produce exceptional graduates year after year, not to mention the assistance the Center gives to students enrolled in their general education courses.” 

The donation made possible many necessary updates, including new computers and a new printer for the facility. An endowed math scholarship fund and emergency fund for the department was also created with the original gift. 

“I am very grateful for Dr. Hunt’s generosity,” SSU Chair of Mathematical Sciences, Dr. Phil Blau said. “Her extraordinary gift will provide resources to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics at Shawnee State. The quantitative skills and reasoning developed by students in their math classes will help the university advance its mission to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world.” 

To learn more about the services available within the Dayton duMeleau Math Success Center, visit shawnee.edu/math. For more opportunities within the SSU Development Foundation, visit givetossu.com or contact (740) 351-3284.