2024 Volunteer Service Award

Tony Alexander graduated from Wright State with a Bachelor of Science in Geography. He later received his juris doctor from The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. After practicing law in Canton, Cincinnati and Dayton, he co-founded Great Oak Funding, a private lending company, serving as its CEO, CFO and director of the board.

During his time at Wright State, he was a cheerleader, supporting the Raiders from the sidelines for basketball games. As an alumnus, Alexander carried on that cheerleading legacy by becoming a vocal and impactful supporter of Wright State. He dedicated his time, talent and treasure to making Wright State a better place.

Tony Alexander ’88

When he returned to the Dayton area in 2003, he became involved in Wright State’s Alumni Association. You could often find him volunteering in some way for the university: he handed out T-shirts and lapel pins at graduation, he served beer at the annual beer tasting (enthusiastically wearing his beer wench apron), played in and sponsored the alumni Legacy Golf Outing and wrote postcards encouraging admitted students to attend Wright State.

As a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and president, Alexander helped shape the association’s mission, vision and goals. He was an advocate for eliminating membership dues to the association and including all alumni as automatic members, a model adopted in 2015.

He also developed the idea for Alumni Grove, a green space around the alumni tower, and became the first donor to purchase a tree. He believed the space would encourage students to spend time outdoors. The grove is an important point of pride on the Dayton Campus and is often used for seniors’ graduation photos.

Alexander also served on the ArtsGala host committee; with his wife, Kathy, endowed a scholarship to help support students in the fine and performing arts; and was appointed to the Wright State Foundation Board as a trustee in 2022.

His time at Wright State greatly influenced his passion for giving back to the community. He fondly remembered professors who mentored, guided and encouraged him. He always cheered on the success of fellow Raiders, enjoyed engaging with students beginning their journeys at Wright State and encouraged fellow alumni to engage in serving Wright State by helping them make connections.

Tony Alexander had a huge heart for Wright State. His legacy lives on.