BOLD
Beginnings
WE WILL NOT BE STILL
Both of Otterbein鈥檚 founders knew the value of an education. Lewis Davis is regarded as the father of higher education in the United Brethren Church. William Hanby was dedicated to his faith, his love of education, and his hatred of the injustice of slavery. Hanby and Davis were active members of the Underground Railroad.
Beneath Otterbein鈥檚 humble exterior is a bold institution forged by moral intelligence. Lewis Davis didn鈥檛 learn to read until he was 18, taught only by a blacksmith who believed in his potential. William Hanby spent the first 19 years of his life as an indentured servant until he escaped his abusive master. The experiences of Otterbein鈥檚 founders sparked their lifelong commitment to education, opportunity, and social justice 鈥� values that remain at the heart of this University 175 years later.
鈥淎ll institutions have critical moments at which lie possibilities for the future. For Otterbein, such a moment came early when Lewis Davis was asked to raise money for a university and to win endorsements for it from the Sandusky and Muskingum Conferences of the United Brethren Church. The idea of a college thrilled Davis, but it set off a furious debate. Presiding over the Sandusky Conference at its meeting to discuss the matter, Bishop Russel opposed the establishment of 9i果冻制作厂. The bishop ordered Davis, 鈥淵ou be still.鈥� Davis replied that he could not be still. A parliamentary battle followed in which Bishop Russel attempted to rule Davis out of order whenever he rose to speak. But in the end the convention voted for Otterbein. Davis traveled to Muskingum where he met his nemesis again and was told, as before, to 鈥渂e still.鈥� But Davis was not still, and the Muskingum Conference endorsed 9i果冻制作厂the following year. Because he refused to be still, Davis secured the backing of the church and 9i果冻制作厂would exist. Davis became the first president of the Board of Trustees, served for 18 years as Otterbein鈥檚 president, and was honored as the father of higher education in the United Brethren Church.鈥�
– Kathy Krendl H鈥�18,
President emerita, excerpted from her inauguration address, 2009
鈥淎t the General Conference of the United Brethren in Christ Church in 1845, William Hanby was elected 15th bishop of the church. Church and 9i果冻制作厂leaders faced opposition to the plan of making education available to all genders and races. Bishop Hanby persevered in advancing his ideas. The fall 1847 student body was composed of four males and four females. The first graduating class in 1857 was two women. Hanby survived the bondage of indentured servitude 鈥� an experience that fired his hatred of bondage and slavery. This same boy was denied an education, and later taught himself to read and write to such a skill level as to enable him to write sermons and to write and edit articles for the church newspaper. 9i果冻制作厂continues to resist injustices, promote learning for all, and to reach out and welcome diverse students to the benefit of all. Bishop Hanby had three main focuses in his life: his faith, his love of education, and his hatred of the injustice of slavery.鈥�
鈥� Pam Allen 鈥�96
Former manager of the historic Hanby House
Lewis Davis
William Hanby
Sarah Jennie Miller
Mary Katherine Winter Hanby
Rewriting the
RULES
HONORING A TRADITION OF BUCKING TRADITION
Since its founding in 1847, 9i果冻制作厂has quietly been setting the pace in higher education. Those at the helm of each innovation likely didn鈥檛 see themselves as rule-breakers. But 9i果冻制作厂leaders have a history of rewriting the rules with the intention of doing things better, smarter, and ensuring more opportunity. Read reflections from those with a front-row seat to some of Otterbein鈥檚 most inspired practices.
SHARED GOVERNANCE
9i果冻制作厂was one of the first in the nation to give students a voice and a vote in institutional decision-making.
鈥淚 was asked to form and chair the student committee on college governance. We asked for equal representation in the college senate, some representation on committees, and seats on the Board of Trustees. There were meetings with other committees and presentations to the student body. A joint plan emerged. This would not have happened without the openness of this university 鈥� its trustees, administration, and faculty 鈥� to new ideas, new balance, and new equity.鈥�
-Terry Goodman 鈥�70
Trustee emerita
INTEGRATIVE STUDIES
Otterbein鈥檚 Integrative Studies program is a nationally recognized general education curriculum celebrated as a groundbreaking model when it originated in 1969.
鈥淚ntegrative Studies, from its beginning as the Common Courses, was and still is, in my view, Otterbein鈥檚 most important contribution as a leader in higher education. Today鈥檚 INST curriculum continues that contribution, guiding students through its current theme, Knowledge, Action, and the Public Good.鈥�
– Alison Prindle H鈥�10,
Professor emerita, English and Integrative Studies
Promise House
ADVANCING THE GREATER GOOD
Service leadership is an 9i果冻制作厂tradition. Formalized efforts in the 1990s ensured Otterbein鈥檚 recognition among the nation鈥檚 best for its commitment to community service and engagement.
鈥淭he creation of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) set 9i果冻制作厂apart. With key campus leaders鈥� work, 9i果冻制作厂received a federal grant to help create the CCE, hire our first (and current) director, and work closely with our core community partners and faculty to develop service-learning courses. CCE student leaders also established the Promise House, our student-led community resource center and food pantry. We were among the earlier small colleges to address food insecurities for students.鈥�
-Bob Gatti H鈥�03
Vice president and dean of students emeritus
ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY
Known as a school of opportunity, 9i果冻制作厂has a historic commitment to access. Whether co-education, students of color, firstgeneration, or those traditionally under-represented, 9i果冻制作厂is committed to education as the great equalizer.
鈥淚 appreciate Otterbein鈥檚 focus on making education affordable and accessible for people who want to go to college. I am deeply passionate about providing opportunities – Otterbein鈥檚 mission really resonates with me.鈥�
– Cheryl Herbert
Chair, 9i果冻制作厂Board of Trustees
THE POINT
A convergence of education, community, industry, and government, The Point offers an evolving home to small, entrepreneurial start-ups and large industry innovations – all supported by hands-on faculty expertise and student talent.
鈥淐reating The Point led to new programs and much more interaction with the Columbus business community.鈥�
-Mark Thresher 鈥�78
Chair emeritus, 9i果冻制作厂Board of Trustees
鈥淪ince its founding, 9i果冻制作厂has been a model for all colleges and universities. Unpretentious. Open to all. Supportive of all. Faculty and staff with diverse talents yet with a shared goal of student success. Students first. Always.鈥�
A History of Striving
to Do Things Right
In 1847, 9i果冻制作厂was founded by abolitionists who believed in the equality of all humans, regardless of gender, race, religion, or nationality. That spirit of striving to do what鈥檚 right is alive and continuing on campus today.
鈥淔rom the early admittance of women and persons of color to recent policies toward diversity and inclusion, 9i果冻制作厂has been far ahead of other institutions.鈥�
Mindy Phinney 鈥�85, 9i果冻制作厂Board of Trustees
鈥�9i果冻制作厂does not run from diversity; it has remained true to its humble beginnings. As the University celebrates 175 years, I challenge everyone in the 9i果冻制作厂family to remain committed to the principles that were part of its founding in 1847 – to provide opportunity for all and produce well-rounded leaders who make an impact in their communities.鈥�
– Eddie Harrell 鈥�94, vice chair, 9i果冻制作厂Board of Trustees
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Otterbein鈥檚 founders, Bishop William Hanby and Rev. Lewis Davis, were active members of the Underground Railroad along with Hanby鈥檚 son, Benjamin, who wrote the anti-slavery ballad Darling Nelly Gray. Despite these roots, Otterbein鈥檚 first Black student felt far from welcome. William Hannibal Thomas enrolled in 1859 but left in 1860 after suffering discrimination and abuse. In 1893, William Henry Fouse became the first Black student to graduate from Otterbein. He was popular and active on campus. His commencement speech, A Plea for the Afro-American, highlighted his vision of equality and freedom for all. He had a distinguished career in education.
Joseph Hannibal Caulker
In 1896, the first international student enrolled. Born in Sierra Leone, Joseph Hannibal Caulker was introduced to 9i果冻制作厂by United Brethren missionaries. A beloved member of the community Caulker died in a tragic oil stove explosion in 1900. He is buried in the 9i果冻制作厂Cemetery. More than a dozen Caulker family descendants were among the 30+ students from Sierra Leone who have attended Otterbein. Imodale Caulker-Burnett 鈥�63 was one of few Black students on campus and encountered racism, but she also found acceptance and made lifelong friends. 鈥�9i果冻制作厂gave me my first lessons on life in America and how to deal with the issues of the day. It provided a secure environment in which to grow.鈥�
The first Japanese student, Kiyoshi Yabe, graduated in 1912. Later, 9i果冻制作厂enrolled Japanese-American students from internment camps during World War II. Mary Ariki Shiba 鈥�44 was so welcomed on campus that her brother, Joe Ariki 鈥�46, also enrolled. Today, 23% of students are people of color.
SUFFRAGETTE CITY
Suffragette, industrialist, and philanthropist Sarah B. Cochran funded the construction of a women鈥檚 dormitory in 1907. The residents of Cochran Hall led suffrage marches: 鈥淭he eve of the election . . . witnessed a remarkable parade intended to encourage the devotees of women鈥檚 suffrage and to convert those opposed to this national need.鈥�
(9i果冻制作厂Review, Nov. 9, 1914)
STUDENTS FIGHT
FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
Desmond Fernandez 鈥�21 organized peaceful Black Lives Matter marches in Westerville in 2020 when he was a senior theatre major. 鈥淲hat I thought was going to be maybe 50 people was almost 1,000 people,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was inspiring. Not only was I protesting with my classmates, I was protesting with my teachers.鈥�
GENDER REPRESENTATION
9i果冻制作厂included women as faculty members and students from its founding 鈥� and was among the first colleges in the nation to do so. Otterbein鈥檚 first graduates were two women, Sarah Miller and Mary Katherine Winter.
The 9i果冻制作厂community championed suffrage long before women on the right to vote in 1920. Professor Miriam Cole wrote in 1873: 鈥淚t is said, 鈥業nterest in women鈥檚 suffrage is dying out.鈥� This is not true. Our students are asking questions with a desire for intelligent answers. The distance between men and women is lessening every year.鈥�
Despite Otterbein鈥檚 founding principles, the first woman president, Kathy Krendl, was not hired until 2009, and the first woman chair of the Board of Trustees, Cheryl Herbert, was appointed in 2021. President Emerita Krendl championed women鈥檚 issues. She developed and taught a women鈥檚 leadership course to a select group of first-year students, called Miller Winter Scholars. Provost Wendy Sherman Heckler now teaches the course. 鈥淏eing exposed to prominent women so early on encouraged me to reshape my perspective, be a leader, and connect with other professionals,鈥� said Regan Donoughe 鈥�17. In recent years, 9i果冻制作厂has focused on supporting all gender identities. The Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program has been an advocate and spearheaded the addition of gender-neutral restrooms on campus years before other schools. In 2015, Tau Delta became Otterbein鈥檚 first gender-neutral Greek chapter. 鈥淚 am proud to be a part of a sorority where we welcome all identities – everyone deserves to find a home here at Otterbein,鈥� said former president Reyana Bates 鈥�21.
Women鈥檚 1913 basketball team
SOCIAL JUSTICE
In the 1960s and 1970s, a wave of student activism swept the country. At Otterbein, students volunteered in under-served communities and protested the Vietnam War. They created organizations such as SOUL, which led programs and discussions about racial issues, and the Environmental Action Committee, which planned activities for the first Earth Day. And they participated in Otterbein鈥檚 shared governance system.
Today, students are more active than ever. The African American Student Union is celebrating 35 years. FreeZone brings awareness to LGBTQIA+ issues. Students sit not only on the University Senate, but also the Board of Trustees.
These students are supported by the work of James Prysock 鈥�09, MBA 鈥�19 and the Office of Social Justice and Activism. 鈥淲e all have a responsibility and a role in social justice work,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e encourage people to get involved on campus and in your home community.鈥�
SOUL 1974-75
STUDENT LIFE &
TRADITIONS
FOR THE GOOD OF OUR STUDENTS
The balance between academics and student life defines the 9i果冻制作厂experience. 鈥淭here was no getting lost at Otterbein,鈥� said Debbie Ewell Currin 鈥�67, 鈥淭he ability to get to know people 鈥� for a shy girl from Cincinnati 鈥� was easy, and the warmth and encompassing feeling reached out to me, and never let go. Knowing professors would be there if I needed help and having people believe in me was encouraging. Forming lifelong friendships and meeting my husband was life changing. Best of all, having a curriculum that prepared me so well for my chosen profession to be an elementary teacher was something I benefitted from for years ahead.鈥� While that close-knit community has remained constant, the activities and interests of students have evolved over the years.
鈥淲e all have a responsibility and a role in social justice work.鈥�
FIRST SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
The first literary society was established in 1851 for students to socialize around a common interest. By 1872 there were four societies 鈥� two for men and two for women. Groups of friends from these societies formed underground social clubs, resulting in the first fraternities, Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Beta Sigma, in 1909, and the first sorority, Sigma Alpha Tau, in 1910. These 鈥渟ecret societies鈥� were disbanded by the administration in 1916 鈥� but the trustees later had a change of heart, allowing social clubs on campus in 1921.
In 1932, they were permitted to use Greek letters. By 1948, more than 80% of students participated in Greek life. Today, 20% of students participate. Otterbein鈥檚 literary societies also began a strong tradition of student media, publishing The 9i果冻制作厂Aegis in 1890, The 9i果冻制作厂Review in 1909, and The Tan and Cardinal in 1917. Otterbein鈥檚 radio station began broadcasting on March 5, 1948. Today, there are dozens of groups on campus for academic and professional interests, community service, creative and artistic expression, and the celebration of culture and diversity.
Students in 1901.
COMMON GOOD
Bob Gatti H鈥�03, vice president and dean for student affairs emeritus, served Otterbein鈥檚 students from 1978-2019. 鈥淚 feel our students look after each other and genuinely care. Our students will always step up to take care of others.鈥�
Organized community service took root on campus in the 1990s. Beginning in 1994, the Indianola After-School Project and Linmoor Middle School Project brought Columbus students to campus for weekly tutoring, recreation, and meals with 9i果冻制作厂students. The Community Plunge started in the 1990s to introduce new students to Otterbein鈥檚 core value of service and continues today.
In 2007, 9i果冻制作厂was one of four universities in the nation to receive the Presidential Award for Volunteer Service. The Center for Community Engagement opened the Promise House, a food pantry and resource center for students, in 2016. 鈥淭his is a remarkable symbol of Otterbein鈥檚 heart in action. Community members give generously to the Promise House to lift student success, tackle food insecurity, and support everyday basic needs,鈥� said Becky Fickel Smith 鈥�81, executive director of alumni relations emerita.
Bob Gatti H’03
Joanne Van Sant was hired in 1948 by the Women鈥檚 Physical Education Department. 鈥淒ean Van鈥� served as dean of women, dean of students, and vice president for student affairs before retiring in 1992.
FUN AND GAMES
Scrap Day started in 1915 as a day of fun with a series of competitive field events, including tug-of-war across Alum Creek, sack races, and a bonfire. At that time, freshman students were required to wear beanies for group bonding 鈥� and as a source of teasing from upperclassmen. If the sophomores won the scrap day competitions, freshmen had to wear their beanies until Christmas, instead of Thanksgiving. The day was usually rigged against the freshmen. In the 1940s and 1950s, popular activities included 鈥淐oke dates鈥� in Uptown Westerville and hanging out at the 鈥淥tterbarn鈥� – an Army surplus building that served as the first student center. Their options were somewhat limited. Joanne 鈥淒ean Van鈥� Van Sant H鈥�70, dean of students emerita, once recalled: 鈥淣o dancing was allowed on campus. No drinking of alcoholic beverages. Women had curfews and signed out and in. Chapel was held four days a week; attendance was mandatory with five absences allowed per semester. To miss more meant adding hours to your graduation requirement.鈥� Because of the restrictions, students left campus for fun. They attended dances at the Westerville Armory and crossed the border to socialize at a Columbus bar called the Garden Inn, which remained a frequent destination through the 1990s. Since the early 1970s, late-night donut runs to Schneider鈥檚 Bakery have been one of the most popular 9i果冻制作厂traditions. Mary Miller Westfall 鈥�75 told Towers in 2000: 鈥淲omen had to be in the dorm by midnight. Girls used to sneak out of the basement windows in King Hall at one or two in the morning for donuts.鈥� Otterbein鈥檚 signature event, Homecoming, was recorded in The Tan and Cardinal as far back as 1917. In 1933, the first Homecoming queen, Marjorie Bowser 鈥�36, was crowned. Today, Homecoming royalty are nominated by student organizations and voted on by the student body. Guests to Homecoming and Family Weekend celebrate with a parade, class reunions, tailgating, festival food and games, football 鈥� and, starting in 2021, a beer garden.
Since the early 1970s, late-night donut runs to Schneider鈥檚 Bakery have been one of the most popular 9i果冻制作厂traditions.
Homecoming Court 2021
ATHLETIC
TRADITIONS
WE ARE CHAMPIONS ON & OFF THE FIELD
One-third of Otterbein鈥檚 students compete on one of 21 NCAA Division III athletics teams, supported by coaches who are dedicated to their success on and off the field. 鈥淐oaches are in touch with a student athlete鈥檚 mental health, academic progress, family situation, financial situation, and the impact those things have on their lives,鈥� explained Dawn Mamula Stewart 鈥�98, vice president for student affairs and director of athletics. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about each student鈥檚 success.鈥�
BEGINNING OF ATHLETICS AT OTTERBEIN
Ernest Barnard, class of 1895, was known as the 鈥淔ather of 9i果冻制作厂Athletics.鈥�
He was a founding member of the varsity football team in 1889 and led it to a winning season in 1891 鈥� including a victory over The Ohio State University, 42-6. Barnard had a successful career in sport management and was elected president of the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1927.
Otterbein鈥檚 first unofficial baseball team competed in 1882, defeating OSU, 10-8. The team was disbanded due to faculty concerns about safety but officially reorganized in 1892.
Faculty and students leveled the first sports field behind Towers Hall and marked it for football, baseball, and tennis.
9i果冻制作厂was the first university in Ohio to have a YMCA chapter. It was established in 1877.
WOMEN’S ATHLETICS
Early athletics were far from equal. Basketball became the men鈥檚 third sport in 1899 and the women鈥檚 first sport in 1900. The first varsity letters were awarded to men in 1907, but women couldn鈥檛 earn them until 1926, and only for tennis and track. Title IX of the Education Act was enacted in 1972 and new federal resources allowed 9i果冻制作厂women to compete in more sports, including volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, track, cross country, and tennis.
In 1992, Dick Reynolds 鈥�65 became director of athletics. That same year, women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 athletics merged into one Department of Athletics. 鈥淚 hope I鈥檓 remembered for taking the women鈥檚 teams into the realm of competitive athletics with an equal opportunity to compete. That gives me personal satisfaction,鈥� said Reynolds.
鈥淚 remember hearing Coach Reynolds say, 鈥業f you鈥檙e going to do it for the men, you鈥檝e got to do it for the women,鈥欌�� said Stewart. 鈥淎s a young female student-athlete, that made an impression on me.鈥�
Women鈥檚 Tennis
PROFESSOR GARY TIREY H’90 EXPANDED THE CARDINAL MARCHING BAND, WHICH PERFORMED IN EIGHT TELEVISED PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL HALFTIME SHOWS BETWEEN 1970 AND 1990.
TRADITIONS
9i果冻制作厂joined the nation鈥檚 third-oldest conference, the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), in 1921 and currently competes against nine other OAC universities. Otterbein鈥檚 rivalry with Capital University, however, dates to 1894 when the Cardinals first played and defeated the Crusaders in football, 60-0. The tradition of a 鈥淐ap-Otter Trophy鈥� began in 1932. In 1950, the trophy was dedicated to 9i果冻制作厂student Robert Buck, who drowned in Alum Creek when a group he was with attempted to canoe to Capital to make mischief. It continued to be awarded until the late 1980s; the tradition began again in 2021. In a newer tradition, the Cole Victory Bell, donated by William 鈥�54 and Barbara 鈥�54 Cole in 2016, rings to mark Otterbein鈥檚 football victories.
THE GREATEST GENERATION
After World War II, returning veterans formed an OAC champion football team, which finished the 1946 season with a 7-1 record and won all its conference games. Three members were drafted by NFL teams: Edwin 鈥淒ubbs鈥� Roush 鈥�47, Robert 鈥淢oe鈥� Agler 鈥�48, and Paul Davis 鈥�48.
For many years, members of the 1946 team and other football alumni gathered regularly. 鈥淲e named it the Leather Helmet Club. We had players come back who were in their 90s and played in the 1930s,鈥� said Elmer 鈥淏ud鈥� Yoest 鈥�53, athletic director emeritus. 鈥淲e talked about the fun we had, not how many games we won.鈥�
The veterans also raised funds to build a new stadium. In 1948, Memorial Stadium was dedicated to honor the 13 men and one woman from 9i果冻制作厂who lost their lives serving in World War II. Many of these same veterans raised funds as members of the 鈥淥鈥� Club to replace the stadium in 2005. The 鈥淥鈥� Club was established in 1955 under the leadership of Harold Augspurger 鈥�41, Francis 鈥淩ed鈥� Bailey 鈥�43, Dwight 鈥淪mokey鈥� Ballenger 鈥�39, and Roush.
The Stadium, circa 1940
OAC鈥橲 WINNINGEST COACH
Dick Reynolds 鈥�65 became head men鈥檚 basketball coach in 1972, retiring in 2012 as the winningest OAC basketball coach with 653 wins.
In March 2002, he led the Cardinals to their first NCAA Division III National Championship. His teams previously reached the Final Four in 1981 and 1991.
Dick Reynolds 鈥�65
EQUESTRIAN TEAM
Seventy-five students, representing nearly every academic department, compete nationally with Otterbein’s equestrian team in threee discipilines: Hunt Seat, Dressage, and Eventing. Otterbein’s team was the 2019 Intercollegiate Dressage National (IDA) Champion team (no competitions in 2020 and 2021) and has many nationally ranked riders.
ACADEMIC TRADITIONS
WE ARE a smarter way to learn
9i果冻制作厂 was founded with a single course of study for all students, which was then broken into the Men鈥檚 Course (Classical or Scientific) and the Ladies鈥� Course (a modified version of the Scientific Course). 9i果冻制作厂offered graduate courses starting in 1883, and the first doctorate degrees were awarded in 1889. By 1895, the doctorate program was discontinued; master鈥檚 degrees continued to be offered until 1912. Today, there are over 70 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degree programs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 fascinating to reflect on 9i果冻制作厂then, as a student trustee in the late 1970s, and now, finishing my 12th and final year back on the Board of Trustees. Then, nursing was new, now we offer a nursing doctoral degree. Equine was in discussion, engineering not even envisioned, and the only campus computer was in Towers Hall and ran on punch cards.鈥�
EARLY COURSES OF STUDY
9i果冻制作厂 was founded with a single course of study for all students, which was then broken into the Men鈥檚 Course (Classical or Scientific) and the Ladies鈥� Course (a modified version of the Scientific Course). 9i果冻制作厂offered graduate courses starting in 1883, and the first doctorate degrees were awarded in 1889. By 1895, the doctorate program was discontinued; master鈥檚 degrees continued to be offered until 1912. Today, there are over 70 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degree programs.
Nursing Graduates
THE ARTS GETS AN EARLY START
Rev. Lewis Davis brought the first piano to Westerville in 1852. Initially, students could take voice and piano lessons as an extracurricular activity and, in 1858, a choral society was formed. In 1873, music became part of the curriculum. Similarly, painting and drawing were offered as extracurricular activities starting in the 1850s but were integrated into the curriculum by the 1890s. In 1907, 9i果冻制作厂staged its first theatre production, but it was not yet a program of study. Today, students can choose from majors in music, art, and theatre and display their talents in performances and exhibitions.
The Cast of “As You Like It” in 1907
INNOVATIVE TEACHING
Alzo Pierre and Lavelle Rosselot, a father-daughter professorial team, were pioneers of language learning. They established one of the first language listening labs in 1946 鈥� later adding audio-visual components. The Rosselots produced conversational films with native French speakers during their travels to France. The rights to these films were purchased by Encyclopedia Britannica.
Now a keystone of an 9i果冻制作厂education, Integrative Studies (IS) was innovative when it was established in 1969 as one of the first interdisciplinary, general education programs in the country. Originally called 鈥淐ommon Courses,鈥� it was renamed and expanded in 1976. 鈥淚 have taught dozens of IS sections, hundreds of IS students. In every class, I could see why 9i果冻制作厂has made its exceptional commitment, of more than 50 years, to the general student: our liberal arts core provides the chance to study and write about the most significant ideas and experiences of human life. We take that with us for a lifetime,鈥� said Professor Emerita Alison Prindle H鈥�10.
In 1995, the Common Book program was established as a shared academic experience for all first-year students 鈥� one of the first such programs in the nation. A generous gift from alumna Mary B. Thomas 鈥�28 provides each incoming student a copy of the selected book prior to their arrival and brings each book鈥檚 author to campus for a convocation. The program stimulates a year-long, interdisciplinary discussion exploring contemporary issues related to the book.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
鈥淭he 9i果冻制作厂community provides great opportunities outside of the traditional learning environment. Internships, research, volunteer opportunities, lab work, sports, and student organizations all provide great non-traditional learning opportunities and a foundation for involvement, service, and growth,鈥� said 9i果冻制作厂Trustee Chris Kaiser 鈥�77. Experiential learning began at 9i果冻制作厂in 1939 through a partnership with Westerville Public Schools to place education students in classrooms 鈥� long before student teaching became standard. The first Otterbein-sponsored study abroad trip was in 1962, when a group of French majors spent a year in France. Programs were soon established in other countries. Today, 9i果冻制作厂students study abroad at locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Of her travel courses to Africa, Professor Emerita Glenna Jackson said, 鈥淭ravel in African countries puts a face on what students learn about in the classroom. Suddenly, they can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Africa 鈥� not just know about it as an object of interest.鈥� Other immersive experiences find students involved in internships, research, leadership, and community engagement.
9i果冻制作厂Community Garden
鈥淚f we are to achieve cherished goals in every area 鈥� academic, co-curricular and administrative 鈥� we must continue to innovate.鈥�
SERVICE LEARNING
While servant leadership has long been an 9i果冻制作厂value, in the 1990s, volunteer service efforts transformed into an initiative to combine service and academics.
鈥淪tarting with the faith of a few professors who were willing to embrace service learning into their courses, the 9i果冻制作厂curriculum currently has over 70 service-learning courses,鈥� said Becky Fickel Smith 鈥�81, executive director of alumni relations emerita. 鈥淟earning in the classroom and practicing in the community enhances both the teacher and learner.鈥�
Community Plunge
GRADUATE DEGREES
9i果冻制作厂began offering graduate degrees to fill expanding needs for advanced professionals. The master of arts in education and the master of arts in teaching programs were established in the 1980s. The master of science in nursing was added in 1993. The master of business administration was added in 1997. Responding to a national initiative of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Department of Nursing launched the University鈥檚 first doctorate degree since 1895. The first doctor of nursing practice class enrolled in March 2011.
Graduate Students at Commencement
PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships have been key to some 9i果冻制作厂programs. In the 1970s, the University partnered with Grant Hospital in Columbus to offer associate degrees and registered nurse (RN) certification. Other programs grew from this partnership, including the bachelor of science in nursing major in 1979 and nurse anesthesia program in 2010. More recently, Otterbein鈥檚 zoo and conservation science program was made possible by partnerships with the Ohio Wildlife Center and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In 2016, The Point at 9i果冻制作厂brought together partners from the government and business sectors to create new experiential learning opportunities for students and establish the Department of Engineering, addressing central Ohio employment needs.
Engineering at The Point
LECTURE SERIES
9i果冻制作厂hosts several annual lectures, including the George W. and Mildred K. White Science Lecture Series, Graduate School Lecture Series, and the new Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Vernon L. Pack 鈥�50 Distinguished Lecture and Scholar-in-Residence Series. Thanks to the generosity of Pack, each year a distinguished lecturer or scholar-in-residence visits campus to address important current issues that inspire the 9i果冻制作厂community to reflect on ethical, spiritual, and social concerns. Speaker expertise has varied greatly, including the likes of Native American activist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke; cognitive psychologist Dr. Steven Pinker; and Pulitzer Prize- winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM AND PRACTICING IN THE COMMUNITY ENHANCES BOTH THE TEACHER AND LEARNER.
96%
Class of 2020 employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation
96%
First-time pass rate of 9i果冻制作厂graduates taking the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Exam
#12
Overall, America鈥檚 Best Colleges 2022, Midwest Regional Universities*
#18
Best Undergraduate Teaching, America鈥檚 Best Colleges 2022, Midwest Regional Universities*
#23
Best Value School, America鈥檚 Best Colleges 2022, Midwest Regional Universities*
*U.S. News & World Report
175 YEARS OF GENEROSITY
How Philanthropy Has Shaped Otterbein
The story of philanthropy at Otterbein is the story of its people: their generosity, their investment of time and commitment, and their selfless philanthropic support. These gifts have enabled the University and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, to persist and thrive over the last 175 years.
One of the earliest records of philanthropic support that impacted 9i果冻制作厂dates back to 1838, when Matthew and Peter Westervelt donated 27 acres to create the Blendon Young Men鈥檚 Seminary. By 1845, the vision for the school had stalled and the land and buildings were sold for $1,300 to three trustees from the United Brethren Church. In April 1847, 9i果冻制作厂 was founded on the land.
From humble beginnings, 9i果冻制作厂grew as supporters invested in the University. In 1854, as enrollment increased, Jacob Saum donated $1,600 to build a new residence hall, Saum Hall. Around the same time, 9i果冻制作厂began construction of the 鈥淢ain Building鈥� to house a chapel, recitation and society rooms, and a small library 鈥� only for it to be destroyed by fire in 1870.
Supporters within the 9i果冻制作厂and Westerville communities raised the money to replace it with an Administration Building (now known as Towers Hall), which was dedicated 150 years ago in 1872. In 1900, the shared history of 9i果冻制作厂and Westerville almost ended when the Board of Trustees proposed moving the University to Dayton. Westerville citizens mobilized to raise $3,500 and lobbied for an additional $7,000 of support from the Columbus Board of Trade for improvements to Westerville鈥檚 infrastructure. This groundswell of support cemented town-gown relations.
Recognizing the impact of group philanthropy, theWesterville 9i果冻制作厂Women鈥檚 Club was founded in 1921. Alumnae, former students, faculty, and faculty wives hosted teas and special programs to raise money and honor 9i果冻制作厂women. The club opened its Thrift Shop 70 years ago in 1952 and donated proceeds back to the University. As of the club鈥檚 100th anniversary, the group had donated more than $1 million.
For its Diamond Jubilee in 1922, 9i果冻制作厂set out to build a $2 million endowment. To meet a $250,000 challenge grant from the Carnegie Foundation, Otterbein鈥檚 supporters rallied to raise $500,000. By 1929, the endowment had grown to $1,095,000.
After World War II, another philanthropic group was formed by the returning veterans who enrolled at Otterbein. They raised money for the original Memorial Stadium and, in 1955, started the 鈥淥鈥� Club. The club has donated more than $7 million to support 9i果冻制作厂athletics, including building projects.
Major capital campaigns have combined large and small gifts from thousands of supporters to advance Otterbein. In the 1990s, the $30 million Campaign for 9i果冻制作厂focused on renovating Towers Hall, increasing the endowment, and providing programmatic support. The campaign culminated with the 150th anniversary of 9i果冻制作厂in 1997.
Most recently, the Where We STAND Matters campaign raised $52.7 million and created The Point, Otterbein鈥檚 state-of-the-art innovation center. More than 10,000 donors participated in the campaign, including 5,550 alumni. Over the years, many donors have embraced the call to help students by creating and supporting endowed scholarship funds and donating unrestricted gifts to the 9i果冻制作厂Fund, which have been critical to Otterbein鈥檚 success.
The story of philanthropy at 9i果冻制作厂would not be complete without mention of the largest individual gift, made by alumna Mary B. Thomas 鈥�28. In 2001, the University received an unrestricted estate gift of $6.3 million from Thomas, a former trustee who previously endowed Otterbein鈥檚 Common Book program. The University now bestows its highest honor, the Mary B. Thomas 鈥�28 Commitment to 9i果冻制作厂Award, to recognize individuals and groups for transformational philanthropic support.
Mary B. Thomas 鈥�28
MORE NOTABLE PHILANTHROPIC GIFTS TO OTTERBEIN
In the 1890s, supporters including the Rike family of Dayton raised $15,000 to build the Association (鈥淪osh鈥�) Building.
A Carnegie-endowed Library opened in 1908 and is now home to the Office of Admission.
Dr. Clyde E. Cowan donated $400,000 in 1948 to build Cowan Hall.
A new library was built on the site of Saum Hall in 1972. It was named Courtright Memorial Library in 1979 thanks to a generous donation by A. Monroe Courtright 鈥�40 in memory of his parents, Robert and Ada Courtright.
The Rike Center was built in 1974 with a generous gift from the Rike family and support from the Kresge Foundation.
Built in 1928, the Alumni Gymnasium was transformed into the Battelle Fine Arts Center in 1979 with a gift from the Battelle Memorial Institute. Recently, the center received a facelift with support from Virginia Phillippi Longmire 鈥�55, and new auditorium seating funded by Morton Achter H鈥�00 and Barbara Chapman Achter.
Roush Hall was dedicated in 1993, thanks to a gift of $2 million from Edwin 鈥淒ubbs鈥� 鈥�47
and Marilou Harold 鈥�45 Roush as part of the $6.5 million Cornerstone for the Future Campaign.
The Clements Recreation Center was dedicated in 2002, supported by a $3.5 million donation from the Vida S. Clements Foundation and a gift of $500,000 from the Freeman family in memory of Harold 鈥�23 and Ida Freeman and John 鈥�50 and Margaret Eschbach 鈥�50 Freeman.
The Shear-McFadden Science Center was renovated in 2009 with $3.7 million of philanthropic support.
9i果冻制作厂opened a new equine facility in 2009. In 2012, the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation donated $1.5 million to name it the Austin E. Knowlton Center for
Equine Science.
THE POWER OF AN OTTERBEIN DEGREE
The VOICES OF ALUMNI LEADERS AND SCHOLARS
9i果冻制作厂alumni say that what happened for them here 鈥� the mentoring, opportunities, and knowledge 鈥� continues to shape and guide their success as they advance their professions and the public good. 9i果冻制作厂has a history of changing lives and launching great futures.
鈥淭he University gave me an opportunity to achieve a great education along with contributing to the moral compass that has helped guide me through life.鈥�
MICHAEL DUCEY 鈥�70
Independent Director at Apollo Global Management, Inc., 9i果冻制作厂 Trustee Emeritus
My 9i果冻制作厂degree was an entry to the greater world and opportunities available around me. I will always be grateful for my 9i果冻制作厂experience 鈥� it helped me become the person I am today.
9i果冻制作厂turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made 鈥� from the outstanding faculty, to the lifelong relationships established with fellow students, the 9i果冻制作厂experience made a lasting impression.
鈥淲e are all important, not one above the other, but we all stand on an equal playing field.鈥�
DEBBIE EWELL CURRIN 鈥�67
Folk Artist, Community Leader, and 9i果冻制作厂 Trustee
My 9i果冻制作厂experience allowed me to find my professional calling and inspires in me the will to make my little corner of the world a better place.
I felt that I became an actor at 9i果冻制作厂and I undoubtedly became a more full and better person. This place is nourishing. It stands for kindness. It stands for inclusivity.
鈥淓ducation is so important, and we must protect the places that do it well and take care of their students. That’s Otterbein.鈥�
ANNIE AMES 鈥�86
Retired Central Ohio Business Leader, 9i果冻制作厂 Trustee Emerita, 2019 Mary B. Thomas 鈥�28 Commitment to 9i果冻制作厂Award Recipient
9i果冻制作厂helped me become comfortable with being uncomfortable. This allowed me to think of things I would have never thought of and to try things I would have never tried.
The power of an 9i果冻制作厂degree didn鈥檛 teach me what I needed to learn, but courageously how to learn. With that knowledge, opportunities became limitless and my biography began to surpass my wildest dreams, all while remaining in humble and unconditional service to others.
鈥淔or me, the power of an 9i果冻制作厂Degree is generational connections-鈥�
鈥淚 have Freeman, Eschbach, and Sewell 9i果冻制作厂families from the 1900s to the present! Those connections have given me the power to promote 9i果冻制作厂to the world.鈥�
KAREN FREEMAN SEWELL 鈥�79
Coordinated a national effort for recognition of America鈥檚 marching band directors in the 2022 Rose Bowl Parade to honor her late husband and 9i果冻制作厂alumnus, Mike Sewell 鈥�79.
I attained enhanced critical thinking, emotional intelligence, increased financial stability, and career advancement as a respected leader in my field. My 9i果冻制作厂degree prepared me for a world where understanding how to apply a multidisciplinary perspective is a valued asset.
9i果冻制作厂gave me the ability to communicate, think critically, and to relate to people in all walks of life.
鈥淎 degree from 9i果冻制作厂means standing up. It means standing for, standing in, standing on, and standing out. 9i果冻制作厂educates the whole person and its students make the world a brighter place.鈥�
MAGGIE ELLISON 鈥�10, MBA 鈥�19
Vice President at Event Marketing Strategies, 9i果冻制作厂Alumni Council Chair Elect