“You can’t waste your life dreaming about the cards you wish you had; you have to play the hand you are dealt.” This is a mantra that Mitch Shaver, CAS ’96, SHS ’96 and ’00, embraced throughout his life.

Shaver embodied the spirit of giving and resilience during his journey from a dedicated physical therapy student to an inspiring advocate for the ALS community, after his own diagnosis with the disease in 2018. Through each chapter, Shaver always put others first. “He always loved interacting with people and helping them be the best that they could be,” his wife, Rhonda Shaver, says.

Mitch and Rhonda Shaver, 2019

Mitch, who passed away in January 2025, used his diagnosis to empower others, continuously concerned for the welfare of those around him. “He always felt like no matter what he was going through, someone else might be having a harder time,” Rhonda says.

This mindset became evident in his day-to-day interactions with family, friends, coworkers and even strangers, such as Mitch checking in on a friend who was battling a sinus cold in the week leading up to Mitch’s passing. “Mitch texted his friend to ask how he was feeling,” Rhonda says. “His friend responded that it was only a cold and he would heal soon, and then asked Mitch how he was doing. Mitch responded that he just had ‘the worst day of his entire life.’ It is a testament to Mitch’s character that on the ‘worst day’ of his whole life, when it would have been so easy to think about himself, the one thing he wanted to do was check in on his friend.”

True to his conviction of helping others, Mitch and his family raised funds for ALS-related organizations and established the Mitchell Leland Shaver Foundation in 2023 to provide financial assistance, education and awareness for those affected by ALS. The original mission to provide one scholarship for an individual who is pursuing higher education and has a parent or caregiver with ALS, as well as giving two grants to individuals with ALS, was soon surpassed — so far, the foundation has awarded seven additional scholarships and 15 grants.

Mitch Shaver graduating from Oakland University in 2000.

Mitch is a proud, three-time OU alumnus with bachelor’s degrees in biology and health sciences, and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, and his giving spirit also extends to his alma mater. In conjunction with a former OU classmate and the School of Health Sciences, he launched in 2023 the Mitchell Shaver Scholarship Endowment for Physical Therapy, which financially supports OU students who wish to pursue physical therapy with a focus on helping patients with orthopedic and neurological conditions. Fundraising efforts for all of Mitch’s philanthropic efforts were, and continue to be, raised through events like cornhole tournaments, golf outings and March Madness brackets.

A football player, wrestler and track athlete in high school, and an assistant wrestling coach at Kettering High School later on, Mitch carried his love for athletics into his chosen career. Combining his love for movement and a passion for helping others inspired the Waterford native to pursue a future in physical therapy.

Mitch Shaver celebrating the Mitchell Leland Shaver scholarship for physical therapy at the School of Health Sciences’ physical therapy alumni dinner in 2023.

At OU, Mitch forged connections with fellow students and faculty in the PT program, leading to his eventual wish of establishing a scholarship to impact students for years to come. “He loved his time at OU. The PT program was so supportive,” Rhonda says. “He felt the knowledge base was top notch and he always had a great camaraderie with the PT students as well.”

During his studies, Mitch started volunteering as a tech at a PT company, where he was hired as a physical therapist upon graduation. A promotion led him to open his own clinic, and he oversaw locations in Michigan and Ohio later on.

Whether as a student, physical therapist, husband, father or ALS advocate, Mitch formed connections throughout his life, leaving a lasting legacy.

“He always thought of himself as a very fortunate person,” Rhonda says, “Even when things didn’t go well, he always put his best foot forward. He did everything he could to max out his potential so that he could give back to other people in the long run.”