Ohio Dominican University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ohio Dominican University | |
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| Motto: | To contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation |
| Established: | 1911 |
| Type: | Private |
| President: | Rev. James A. Griffin |
| Faculty: | 163 |
| Students: | 2,942 (all campuses) |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Campus: | 62 acres (25 ha) Suburban |
| Athletics: | NAIA 14 varsity sports |
| Mascot: | Panthers |
| Affiliations: | Roman Catholic |
| Website: | http://www.ohiodominican.edu/ |
Ohio Dominican University is a coed, four-year private Roman Catholic liberal arts university in Columbus, Ohio, USA, with nearly 3,000 students from 24 states and 20 foreign countries. The University was founded in 1911 by the congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, Sisters of the Dominican Order.Ohio Dominican is currently funding and supporting an early college high school called The Charles School.
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[edit] History
Ohio Dominican University was chartered in 1911 as the College of Saint Mary of the Springs. It was originally founded as a women's college, becoming co-educational in 1964. The name was changed to Ohio Dominican College in 1968. Ohio Dominican became a university on July 1, 2002, under an ambitious strategic plan to become one of the country's preeminent small Roman Catholic universities, under the direction of Dr. Jack Calareso, who was inaugurated as the school's 13th president in December 2001. Dr. Jack Calareso left the University in summer of 2007, and the University is now under the direction of interim president The Most Reverend James A. Griffin, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus.
[edit] Mission
As a Catholic liberal arts University with a Dominican tradition, Ohio Dominican University is guided in its educational mission by the Dominican motto: to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation.
Truth is the basis of human freedom and the source of human effectiveness. Truth is dynamic, an infinite realm in which the person grows throughout life to the fullness of his or her humanity through progressive realization of the significance of old truths and progressive attainment of new truths. Truth can be found in all cultures and traditions, in the whole range of the arts and sciences, and, in a special way, in religious faith and theological reflection on faith.
Ohio Dominican welcomes to its student body sincere seekers of truth whatever their age, gender, race, religious background, or ethnic and cultural heritage. All whose aspirations, maturity, and preparation draw them to pursuing a liberating education mutually enrich one another in the quest for truth in this small community of students, faculty, and staff, through curriculum, supporting services, and informal learning opportunities carried out in a climate of respect and freedom.
Ohio Dominican's primary mission is to provide degree and continuing education programs for the intellectual development, the growth in truth, of each student. In keeping with the Dominican tradition, educational experiences should be grounded in the liberal arts, foster the development of spiritual, aesthetic, and ethical values, promote physical and mental health, and provide for the development and responsible use of human skills and talents in professional and social service.
Since the quest for truth is a lifelong activity, Ohio Dominican is committed to lifelong learning. Faculty, staff, and students practice this through research, creative activities, community involvement, and professional service. The University also offers non-credit programs and activities on and off campus to further the lifelong education of the Columbus civic and religious communities.
Immersed in the technical progress, new human insights, and searching questions of the twenty-first century, Ohio Dominican University looks forward to helping individuals and society continue the search for truth in the expanding horizons of an unknown future.
[edit] Academics
ODU offers a range of options: graduate programs, online programs, four-year Bachelor's degrees, two-year Associates degrees, 4+1 Masters degree programs and certificate programs. The university generally has small class sizes (with an average size of 17 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1)
[edit] Honors Program
The Ohio Dominican University Honors Program is designed to enrich the academic experience of talented and motivated students. It is a community of learners who develop their love of learning, deepen their understanding of significant issues, express their creativity, and engage in independent scholarly, scientific, and artistic endeavors.
Through challenging learning experiences and entertaining cultural opportunities, the program fosters critical thinking, intellectual inquiry, and an appreciation for arts and culture. In addition, ODU's Honors Program is an excellent foundation for students who may continue on to graduate school.
In keeping with the spirit of Ohio Dominican University's mission statement, "To contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation," the Honors Program also encourages students to interact with others collegially, grow spiritually, and participate actively in their communities.
[edit] Students and Student Development
The University is significantly expanding the level of on-campus student extracurricular activities and improving residential life. At the same time, Ohio Dominican has expanded its extracurricular offerings, providing a greater number of on-campus activities for residential students. A central focus has been the expansion of athletic programs, which attract student athletes and non-athletes alike, foster alumni participation, and enhance fundraising.
Student organizations & activities at ODU offer events and activities that relate to areas of academic interest, student government, performance, multicultural, media, athletic, social, honorary, religious and service organizations. Ohio Dominican student activities and events are open to all students.
[edit] Campus and Campus Development
ODU currently operates three campuses, the main in eastern Columbus as well as two others primarily for their LEAD program, aimed mostly at adults.
Under the direction of previous ODU President Jack Calareso, Ohio Dominican has embarked on an aggressive growth plan, and expects to have approximately 3,700 students enrolled on its main campus by 2007, compared to 1,900 in 2001.
To accommodate the projected growth, a team of campus and community members, city planners, and Columbus business leaders worked with international design firm Sasaki Associates, to design a campus Master Plan. The plan encompasses the critical elements of campus organization: land and building use; vehicular and pedestrian circulation; infrastructure; open space; and the University's relationship to the community. Major components of Phase One focus include expansion of student residences; additional sports and recreation facilities; development of Sunbury Road as a gateway to the campus; and creation of a new campus center and study center.
More residence halls are needed to meet the housing needs of the increasing number of traditional students. As a result, Ohio Dominican has opened two new student resident buildings, Siena Hall and Aquinas Hall, in Fall 2004. ODU is also currently constructing Lynam Hall, which will be an additional 152 bed upper classmen residence. Lynam is expected to be completed by fall of 2008. ODU also has developed plans for the construction of a new student union. The plans include an option for new locker room facilities for the football team.
[edit] Sports
The University currently competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Ohio Dominican offers Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Men's and Women's Golf, and Men's and Women's Cross Country. The Ohio Dominican football Panthers began play in the Mid-States Football Association of the NAIA Fall 2004. The team has a record of 3-17 during its first two seasons, which is expected out of any new program. In 2006 the football team climb into the top 25. The team finished the season with a record of 7-3 and ranked 17th in the nation after the final NAIA regular season poll was released, narrowly missing the NAIA playoff for the first time in school history. In 2007, the football team had a perfect record of 11-0 and finished 3rd in the final NAIA regular season poll. The team went on to win the MSFA Mideast Division and qualified for the postseason tournament. They went on to win their 1st round game and lost their 2nd round game. Also the men's soccer team advance to the NAIA national tournament. The women's soccer team finished the year ranked #20 in the NAIA.
