Ohio Northern University - Overview

History and Heritage

Ohio Northern University began with a single person and a single idea. In 1871, Henry Solomon Lehr, with support from the community, founded the Northwestern Ohio Normal School as a teacher training institution. Two other name changes would follow; first, to Ohio Normal University and second, in 1903, to Ohio Northern University. The evolution from a normal school to a true university reflects an impressive period of growth in both size and scope, one that distinctively combined traditional arts and sciences departments and education with the professional fields of engineering, pharmacy, law, and business. In 1899, the University affiliated with the United Methodist Church and more intentionally embraced the Judeo-Christian values of becoming church-related. From these beginnings, Ohio Northern University has developed a focus on teaching, learning, scholarship, and professional practice, and a campus environment that is student-centered, service-oriented, and values-based.

Mission

Influenced by a unique history and an enduring affiliation with the United Methodist Church, Ohio Northern University's mission is to provide a high quality learning environment that prepares students for success in their careers, service to their communities, the nation, and the world, and a lifetime of personal growth inspired by the higher values of truth, beauty, and goodness. The University's distinctive academic program includes mutually supporting liberal and professional education components that integrate practice with theory, complemented by excellent co-curricular offerings that enrich the Northern experience. To fulfill this mission, faculty and staff engage with students so they can learn to think critically, creatively, and entrepreneurially, communicate effectively, gain practical experience, solve problems collaboratively, and act as ethical and responsible members of a global community.

Location & Facilities

Ohio Northern University is a safe, friendly, beautiful residential campus, situated on nearly 342 acres in the small town of Ada (pop. 5,947) in northwest Ohio. ONU is located within 90 minutes of several major cities: Dayton, Columbus, Toledo and Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Lehr Memorial Building (1915) contains the offices of Human Resources, the Controller and the Registrar on the first floor. The offices of the President, vice president for Academic Affairs, vice president for Financial Affairs, and Institutional Research are on the second floor. On the third floor are the offices of University Advancement, vice president for Advancement, and Communications and Marketing.

Hill Memorial Building (1915) contains classrooms and offices for the Department of History, Politics and Justice, and the Department of Psychology and Sociology.

Dukes Memorial Building (1901-02), Freeman Annex (1995) and Cornetet Addition (2003) contain offices and classrooms for the Department of English, the Department of Modern Languages, and the Center for Teacher Education. The office of the dean of the College of Arts & Sciences also is in Dukes Memorial.

Presser Hall (1929) includes the 156-seat Snyder Recital Hall; a rehearsal room for band, choir, orchestra and other ensembles; teaching studios; an electronic piano lab; an electronic synthesizer lab; classrooms; choral and instrumental music libraries; and faculty offices. A two-story addition (1998) increased the number of practice rooms and added the Foley Rehearsal Hall as well as additional faculty studio offices.The Heterick Memorial Library (1968), the University's main library, provides individual study carrels, study rooms, special collections and a conference room. A third floor was added and extensive remodeling was completed in 2000. In 2005, the Spar/Wintzer Music Media Center opened on the first floor.Weber Hall (1956) contains the admissions, international admissions and financial aid offices. A new wing and renovations (2007) provide space for the expanding admissions and financial aid staff plus international admissions.

Lehr-Kennedy House (1902), once the retirement home of Ohio Northern's first president, contains the offices of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Services and several offices for multicultural student organizations.

Wesley Center Complex (1971) is composed of the English Chapel with seating for 475 plus multi-use areas and a small prayer room for campus ministry, outreach and multi-faith worship, and the Burgett Wing (2002) which houses the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

Kerscher Stadium (2014) is the home to the men's and women's soccer programs and the men's and women's lacrosse programs, as well as the men's and women's outdoor track and field teams. The facility features a full track and a field turf infield, a Daktronics scoreboard, and seating for more than 500 fans.